Choosing Childcare
What should you consider before choosing
childcare?
Choosing the best childcare is important for you and your
child. Try to choose carefully rather than taking up the first
arrangement that turns up. You will need to feel confident that
your child will thrive.
Think about your child's needs, not only next month when you
start leaving him/her, but also next year and the year after that.
Children can find it hard to adjust to frequent disruptions in
their childcare. Unplanned changes may happen but if you select
childcare which you expect will be suitable for the foreseeable
future, you will be minimising any disruption. Remember to plan
well in advance, ask around to learn about different options and
focus on your own needs.
Ask yourself:
- How many hours a week do I need childcare?
- What type of childcare am I looking for?
- Is that sort of care available in my area?
- What is the transport situation?
- How much can I afford to pay?
Choosing a place
Before you decide to enrol your child, visit the playgroup,
nursery, childminder or school with your child while the other
children are there. Imagine how it would feel if you were your
four-year-old. Remember that you are looking for a combination of
care, education, enthusiastic staff, good resources and equipment
and an approach that will meet the needs of your child.
Go more than once if you're not sure. You should feel
comfortable about your decision. Ask questions. Use points from
these checklists to help you make the best use of your
visits.
Information
You should be able to ask for a free copy of:
- information about the service, day-to-day arrangements and
policies
- after an inspection, the most recent inspection report and the
current action plan. For schools, a summary of the OFSTED report is
available on request.
Being made welcome
- You should always find a welcoming atmosphere
- Are you and your child each greeted and welcomed
personally?
- If your child has special educational or medical needs, do the
staff have the knowledge and skills to give the support
needed?
- Can you stay with your child, especially while they are
settling in?
Staff and children
- Do the adults enjoy being with the children and take an
interest in their ideas?
- Do staff give warm attention to each child and treat them
sensitively if they are upset?
- Does every child have a 'key worker' - an adult who has special
responsibility for them?
- Do the children talk with the adults and do the adults listen
carefully, allow plenty of time for children to explain themselves
and give thoughtful replies?
- Do staff speak calmly and quietly, do they explain the routines
clearly and check that the children understand?
- Do staff give positive encouragement for good behaviour, do
they notice when a child tries hard?
Books, equipment and materials
- Do the books, displays and so on reflect different races,
cultures and lifestyles?
- Can children learn about their own and other cultures through
art, books, music and other activities?
- Are some of the following easily available for children to
use:
- Illustrated story books and factual
books.
- Play equipment (indoors and outdoors),
including a homecorner and dressing-up clothes.
- Outdoor equipment for climbing, sliding and
balancing - bicycles, trolleys and toys with wheels.
- Living things to grow, look at and take
care of.
- Small world materials such as doll's house,
garage, farm animals and so on for imaginative play.
- Musical instruments, real and
home-made.
- Materials for cutting and sticking, drawing
and writing equipment, paint.
- Sand, water and clay with different
tools.
- Woodwork and junk materials for making
things.
- Different kinds of bricks/blocks including
Lego, Duplo etc.
- Resources for science and technology
including toys which can be programmed.
- Table-top games and puzzles.
Staff and parents
- Can you arrange a convenient time and place for a quiet private
discussion about anything to do with your own child?
- Can you talk about family events which could affect your
child?
- Are there arrangements to contact you in an emergency, or if a
child becomes, or continues to be, really upset?
- What records do they keep on each child's progress? Are you
able to see your child's records and help prepare them?
- Do they consult you about arrangements, events and
activities?
- If you are interested in helping run the group, will you be
able to join a parents' rota or management committee?
Meals and snacks
- Is the food healthy and varied?
- Will your child sometimes have food which is familiar from
home?
- If your child has a special diet, will suitable food be
available?
- If your child doesn't like certain food, will they have to eat
it?
- Do the workers eat with the children and does everyone seem to
enjoy mealtimes?
Premises and safety
- Are the premises bright, attractive, well-kept, airy, with good
natural light?
- Can children go to a quiet comfortable area to relax and
rest?
- Is there enough indoor space for children to do large-scale
building and to work at different levels - on the floor, at a table
or easel?
- Are the toilets nearby and easy for children to use on their
own? Are they clean?
- Is there an outdoor play area with plenty of room to run
around? Do the youngest children use it separately from older
children?
- Are windows and doors childproof? Are doors, gates and fences
always kept secure? Do staff know which children are there at all
times?
- Will only properly authorised people be allowed to collect your
child?
- If staff have to clear everything away every day, does this
limit the activities they can provide for the children?
- Are there clear procedures for emergency medical
treatment?
- Do staff carry out fire drills and maintain fire
equipment?