INDUSTRY INSIGHT
YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION
SPONSORED CONTENT
Child Care Prep Tips
for Parents-to-Be
Expectant parents have a lot on their minds, from shopping for
playpens to stocking up on diapers, to baby-proofing the house. They
also have to make a decision about child care. If both parents are going
back to work after the baby’s arrival, one thing that must be added to the
checklist is finding high-quality child care.
START EARLY
The best time to begin researching child care providers for your infant
is before your child is born. It might sound a little silly to begin your
search so early, but there are a few good reasons to do so. Many families
reserve their children’s spots early on, creating long waiting lists at many
child care providers. A mom-to-be who waits until the last trimester may
encounter some restriction in going out and taking a tour, especially if
she needs bed rest. The sooner you find a provider you are comfortable
with, the sooner you can relax and enjoy the time with your newborn.
LOCATION
Another factor to consider is location. You may feel more comfortable
having a child care provider close to home, but you’ll need to think
about whether this creates problems with picking your child up on time
after work due to traffic or other issues. You could choose a location
closer to your work, but this also could create problems if you ever work
from home. If you choose to breastfeed, it is more practical to pick a
location near your workplace so you may be able to go to your baby and
nurse. Find out the designated area for breastfeeding or if there is a quiet
place where you can do this. A few other questions to ask is which parent
will be primarily responsible for dropping off and picking up your child,
or will you share that role. If you’re sharing the role, perhaps you should
find a child care provider that is centrally located.
DIRECTOR AND TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
You’ll certainly want to find out whether the school employs
teachers with education and experience in Early Childhood Education.
Don’t assume that the school requires ongoing teacher training and
development; ask about its plans for ongoing professional development.
Make sure to inquire whether teachers are required to have first aid/CPR
training. It’s important to know whether children are supervised by sight
and sound at all times and what the group sizes are. Smaller group sizes
and low teacher-to-child ratios ensure better supervision and safety.
These ratios vary from state to state, so inquire about regulations.
Getting a third-party opinion is not a bad idea either. You shouldn’t
base your decision solely on that, but getting input from friends and
family definitely helps in making a decision. To get a real sense of what
the typical day is like at the child care provider, you should also make it
a point to visit during hours of operation. Plan ahead by asking about
other classrooms as well so you can see the programs your child will
attend as he/she grows.
HEALTH & SAFETY
There is nothing more important than your child’s safety, and when it
comes to health and safety there is no question too big or small. Find out
if proper handwashing techniques are being utilized. Go ahead and ask
about diapering procedures, and whether the location is cleaned every
day by a professional. Be clear about any illness policy that determines
when children are too ill to attend. Take a tour and see for yourself
if the environment is clean and inviting. With all of the concern over
immunizations these days, it’s important to ask if the school requires a
medical screen and updated immunizations in order to enroll a child,
and if the teachers have to provide a medical screen as well.
This Industry Insight was co-authored by the owners of The Goddard Schools located in
Moon Township & Wexford. Dina Speranza & Carol Maier (left) are the owners of The
Goddard School® located at 800 Commerce Avenue in Moon Township. Mark & Jennifer
Rebstock (right) are the owners of The Goddard School® located at 3000 Brooktree Road,
Wexford. Goddard offers both full- and part-time infant/toddler/preschool/kindergarten
programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschool.com.
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