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If you’re the parent of an infant or young child, chances are you will need someone to care for them at some point, whether it’s on a full-time basis or an occasional evening out. Whatever the timeframe, you’ll want to leave your child in good hands and not have to worry about their wellbeing in your absence.
The best place to start is by planning ahead and allowing time to research different options. Finding a caregiver you can trust may take time and you don’t want to be forced into a hasty decision that doesn’t make you feel completely comfortable.
When deciding on what type of child care to use, evaluate your family’s needs and determine which kind would best suit your lifestyle. Community Coordinated Child Care, a non-profit agency that provides support services for child care, recommends asking yourself some initial questions: What type of care would best suit your child? Would your child be more comfortable in a structured program? What are your needs in terms of location, hours of operation, and cost? The right choice may vary widely from family to family, depending on what each household considers important for them.
"When interviewing potential candidates, parents should look for someone that really seems to like kids and possesses a genuinely enthusiastic attitude about caring for them," states Tiffanie Berger, president of Nanny Connections, a nanny placement agency that provides many different options for nanny care. "Watch closely how they greet and interact with your child. Observe whether they get down to the child’s eye level when conversing with them and if they exhibit positive body language."
Berger also recommends inquiring extensively about child rearing beliefs. "A qualified caregiver will have definite beliefs about discipline methods and not be wishy-washy when asked," she says. " Even go so far as to give different scenarios. For instance, ask what they would do if your child refused to leave the park or threw a tantrum in the local grocery store. Confident answers reveal professionalism and true child care experience."
"It’s extremely important to find someone that shares your philosophy of care and ideas about discipline," adds Melissa Newby, owner of www.daycarematch.com, a new website service that provides parents with in-depth information on child care locations in their area. "Discipline techniques vary between caregivers and parents should make sure the person they choose is a good match with their own beliefs so a child has consistency."
If going outside the home for child care, plan to visit a few places to get an idea of the kind of care your child will receive at each location. Observe the atmosphere of the facility. Are the children there happy and relaxed? How are they interacting with the caregivers? Also, take a good survey of the physical surroundings. Are the toys clean, safe and age appropriate? Is the outside area large enough with sturdy playground equipment? Are the children protected from strangers?
A variety of staff overseeing your child each day may make them feel insecure, so ensure they will have the opportunity to bond closely with one or two qualified caregivers that have been appropriately screened beforehand.
"Conducting a thorough background check on anyone caring for children is essential," says Lois Johnson, local coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair, a service that provides families with intercultural child care. "So feel free to look into their history, inquire about qualifications, and request references. It’s also important to make sure their child care experience matches the age range of your children. And always trust your instincts. If you don’t feel completely confident, keep looking."
Once you find someone, Community Coordinated Child Care recommends not stopping there, but continuing to evaluate them. Listen to what your child tells you about their day and talk to their caregiver about any concerns that may arise.
Jodi Bakken is a Madison, Wisconsin-based freelance writer and independent marketing consultant. She can be reached at jodibakken@hotmail.com
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