I know there are other advices on childcare and what to look for just thought I would add my little bit as I am at the moment doing my certificate iii in childcare through a traineeship.

As a parent there were certain questions that I wanted to know and

I asked all those questions and got all the answers I wanted but since actually working in a childcare environment I have found so many things that parents should be aware of when choosing a childcare centre like who does the cleaning and when is it cleaned, how often is it cleaned and do staff have to leave children without the appropriate staff to accomplish these cleaning jobs.

Parents need to be aware of the childcare regulations for their state or territory which are available free on the internet and also parents should read a copy of the accredditation principles for childcare centres which are also available free on the internet.  Without adequate supervision children can be injured so easily. Not all centres are understaffed but from experience I know that some centres only follow procedures when the accreditation people come through and as soon as they are gone children are left alone in rooms and trainees are left with groups of children that are to much for a Group leader to have ( Trainees should never be left alone with children) I really think that parents need to be fully aware of what it is that goes on at the centre that they are leaving their children at. Parents need to know waht all the policies for the centre are and make sure that these policies are fully adhered to.

So please it may be a little bit of reading but to ensure that your child is going to a centre that is properly run, safe and secure a) read the childcare regulations for your state or territory b) read the accreditation principles c) read the centres policies and procedures, d) know the child/carer ratio's and e) watch carefully when ever you are in the centre for appropriate supervision ex. outdoors carers should not be sitting around chatting they should be supervising the children.

I hope this helps because I look back now and think about what I didn't know when putting my kids into care and I shudder.

Lexi xxx