Carol Stovold Quality Kidz www.qualitykidz.co.nz

Choosing the right child care for your child is never easy, there's so much to consider. Following on from last week, here are more pitfalls to avoid, and points to consider to help you with an informed decision that most benefits your child.

Loyalty to Staff

Childcare services often have high turnover in both centre and home-based facilities. Staff move on for various reasons, so as parents should always be wary of choosing a service because of an individual teacher / educator. The other staff at the agency or centre should provide good operational support and assistance. Ask yourself: Would there be consistency of care and relationships if your favourite teacher was to leave?

Recommendations

Some parents prefer to ask around family, friends and neighbours to find out where their children are looked after. Because their child uses that service does not mean that it will suit your child or your family. Recommendations are a good starting point, but informed decision-making is by far the better way of choosing. Visit a variety of services and make comparisons. Which one did your child seem to really enjoy? Where did you feel most welcome and supported? The relationships you will form with the teachers, staff and educators are the most important aspect. Do you feel you could talk to these people about your child?

Limited Options

Having an open mind on the different options available to parents is essential. Parents are becoming more discerning these days, and are more aware of all of the choices available for different childcare (i.e. nanny, Playcentre, Kohanga Reo, centre care, in-home provider, or au pair). Each child care option has advantages and disadvantages.

Rushed Decisions

Parents can often spend more time researching and test driving a new car than choosing a child care. Yet it is one of the most important decisions in every parent's life. Children deserve quality care and education regardless of whether they are attending part-time or full time. Find out about staff qualifications, experience and planned activities.

Accepting Mediocre Childcare

If there are concerns that have been discussed and not addressed, or your child doesn't settle, the best thing to do is find another service that will meet your needs and provide the care you seek. A child may only be in childcare a short time, but it is the first three years of life that are the most vital in determining your child's optimum potential.

Accepting Rudeness

Rudeness is never acceptable in any form, so why is it so overlooked when it comes to children? One of the worst pitfalls is choosing a service where teachers do not engage with, or make children feel welcome. If the staff do not have time to greet you and make you feel welcome, what does that say about the interaction your child will experience? Parents must not accept rudeness from teachers in any form – to them or their child.

Next week: What is Quality in Early Childhood?