Minti - Recent Comments on Question "child care question"

thanks to all that responded

rach — Wed, 23 May 2007 14:49:11 -0700

Good Morning all,

huge thank you to every1. I will ask the centre every1's questions when i go 2day. As you see the director of the centre had to leave early yesterday due to family matters so i didnt get to talk to her. & because my appt was so late in arvo most of the kids that would be in Taji's room had already been picked up. We have been invited back at 9:30 2day, so that i can speak to the director of the centre and Taj can have abit of a play with the kids and i can see how he interacts with the carers there. Thanks for the idea of letting the centre know that we are willing to swap days if required for some1 else, i will do that. Your right it wuold make me feel better. Sorry for any spelling mistakes or mistypes, running alittle late this morning and dont have the time to proof read sorry again.

Thanks again to all.

P.S if any1 has any more ideas please feel free to post them as will check in again b4 we go. & your answer might help someone else with this same question.

Rach

child care question

mumof2b — Wed, 23 May 2007 05:42:01 -0700

I agree with Mel 100%

I couldn't have said it better myself!!

Amanda

child care

cazza — Wed, 23 May 2007 05:37:59 -0700

Absolutely agree there mel as also helps the children to interact better with other children and my chloe has a lot of care provided to her as i do a lot of studies and courses and she is so well advance d bacause of it...

Just because someone doesnt or does work shouldnt stop a chils to be given the same oppurnities to interact and learn the same way..

child care question

MadMel — Wed, 23 May 2007 05:32:05 -0700

I agree with what most have said here. You need to feel comfy with the centre. I have seen some shockers and some great ones.

And I just wanted to add, working or not, you pay the fees and you have EVERY right to put your child into day care if you like, for as many days as you need. DO NOT feel guilty and do NOT let anyone tell you you shouldn't because your not a working mum! You are a stay at home mum I assume and I think we need it just as much as the next because we dont get that break while we work somewhere else!

If anything they should open more!

Child Care

MummaBear — Wed, 23 May 2007 05:12:54 -0700

Firstly, 1 or 2 days is ok. As a working mum who cannot get full-time care it frustrates me when people who are not working or studying use 5 days a week, but one or 2 days there's not a problem with. I would watch from a distance when they don't know you are looking to see if they are interacting well with the children. This can be faked in front of parents who are visiting the centre, so I tend to watch through a window. Mine has been at the same centre for over a year now and I still sometimes just watch for a few seconds when I'm dropping off or picking up and so far no hassles except with relief staff who just don't seem to know what they're doing. I hope you find one you are happy with, we've been through a few centres (picky mother here lol) before finding one I'm comfortable with. If you want to ease your guilt a little, just let the daycare know that you are happy to swap days if a working mum needs the day, but you don't have to do this. I understand guilt so i thought I'd throw that in just to give you a way of easing up on yourself. Do a quick head count of the kids and staff to see if there are too many kids for the staff, and do this often not just on the first visit. I know it's a little late to reply, sorry. Hope this is of some help anyway. The other things I check daily or weekly are the program, the "What We Did Today" the Menu (as they provide lunch), watch how many Accident & Incident reports are folded on the bench, if they have many of these daily that is not a good sign. Of course, not all centres have them on the bench. But it's just something to watch for if you can. Other things to look for whilst using the centre would be "Are the staff greeting us each morning and letting us know what my child has done through the day?" "Are the staff happy to see my child each time my child is here?" and other things along those lines. Once again, good luck and continue to keep an eye on things, not just on the first day.

Child care

Libby24 — Tue, 22 May 2007 22:00:25 -0700

First dont feel guilty about putting him in the child care. today it is more like playgroup without mum or dad there.

Second ask about their food, what they cook and find out what you need to supply. i have found that luckly on days charlie isnt there they cook food she refuses to eat like tuna. we have to take a piece of fruit every day.

ask about their bullying policy as 2 year olds bite. most use the time out system.

Third if you dont feel comfortable there dont send him.

other than that it should be ok. most will call if there is a problem. most have a 12:30 nap time and lots of play time so they generally are so sleepy when they get home.

good luck

childcare

jenaya04 — Tue, 22 May 2007 21:30:51 -0700

I would recommend choosing days that are less likely to fall on a public holiday (ie, Monday) as even tho the centre will be closed, u will still have to pay. I think it is unfair but I guess the workers still need to be paid so the money has to come from somewhere.

CHILD CARE

mel-thom-coop — Tue, 22 May 2007 20:24:07 -0700

you have every right to have your child in day care.its been well proven children flourish when they attend preschool. my son was an only child and putting him in preschool was the best thing. i recommend seperate days like a monday and wednesday or a tuesday and thursday. it gives them a chance to adjust especially when they're younger. and when i did go back to work he was already used to daycare.

Child care

cheleinkal — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:37:55 -0700

Ask about their acreditation and ask to see the papers if they are not on display (they are usually haning in the foyer though & they usually volunteer this information). Ask about daily reports. most centres will give you an account of your childs day with notes on how many nappy changes, when they slept & for how long & what they ate.

I wrote a detailed list to give them on my daughters first day and she only goes 4 hrs per week, but I have worked in them & I thought it might be helpful. I wrote down her words & what they mean eg. brrm brrm=Bottle.

Let them know if he has any allergies. I liked the People in the one I chose (gut instinct) & Ailish took to them right away (great sign), I also really really liked the fact it had just had a complete make over and the outside play area was coated in this rubbery stuff instead of just cement (there's grass as well) & I have seen evidence of the fact that they wash & disinfect all their toys daily as with cot linens etc.

Note how many names are on the sign in and out book.....if there are quite a few, then thats a god sign. mainly though you and your child NEED to feel comfortable with the place and the carers, if that "CLICK"doesn't happen for you OR your child, I'd suggest you keep looking, you both do need to be happy with it, not just one of you. Gut instincts were given to us for a reason, mine has never let me down, but I have had to learn NOT to ignore it.

They will bombard you with info (I only did this myself 6 weeks ago), if they are any good, they have nothing to hide & pleanty to be proud of, you are going to know about it.

oops

crystalmoon — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:28:43 -0700

POLICIES not plicies LOL sorry brain to fast for fingers LOL

good Q&A POST

crystalmoon — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:27:13 -0700

Firstly,I think you have every right to put your little one in day care.You are a paying customer like any one else......I would just ask any questions that you feel you need to know? sorry I just think my questions may not be relevant to yours(we each have different issues of importance)Why not ask for their hand book this will have all their plicies and code of conduct etc in it.Good luck Hugs Crystal