Child care Centres 0 to 4 Year Olds What To Look Out For

Working in a childcare environment you can see first hand what goes on. Some centres are really well organiized and children are well looked after. They are fed well and kept clean. There is the correct number ratio and less chance of anything happening to any child; but there are those centres you have to watch out for. In those centres I have seen first hand what can go wrong for example: not enought supervision in a room and children tend to get bullied by other children.

First thing to do is to ask if the number ratio per room is always kept, then even go there when you are not expected to check that the ratio is correct. If you don't know what the ratio is It is i1 leader to 5 children for three and under. One to 15 for children over 3. This varies from stat te to state so you can check this out with the the department of education (early learning) in your state or country.

Watch staff when they change children, is there is any notifcation on creams that children have to put on noted in the changing room, is there another staff member in the other room while another child is having his/her nappy changed? There should always be a staff member in with the children.

Ask if you can check out the changing room, have a good look around and see if it's kept clean and where all the creams etc for the children are kept, see if there is any notifcation on the wall or glass that tell staff what cream goes with whom, if you are unsure ask the staff, how it is documented for other staff to be able to put creams on children (if needed), and check if they have a diary which is filled in everytime a child is changed and is noted.

Carers should be noting when they change the child, whether nappies are soiled, wet or dry. They should document what children eat and how much.

Some centres also have communication books for each child, where the Carer will docoument what the child has done that day for the parents to read and add notes. For example if the child has had a bad night and may need more sleep at sleep time then normal, it's away of keeping the communication between parents and Carers open. It's a good idea.

There are some centres that don't supply fresh milk, they may supply longlife milk instead, because it is cheaper to use. I suggest you check out the kitchen and found out what type of milk is given to children and if they supply other types of milk, for example soy milk. If you prefer to use fresh milk, you may have to supply your own, now if you are paying for the service you should be getting what you paid for, if this doesn't sound right to you I suggest you look elsewhere, there are plenty of good centres around.

Ask to see the menu they serve each day. Some centre have the same monthly menu all year round all they do is routate it every four weeks, ask questions and see if they add other things. Don't be afraid to ask anything as this is where your child(ren), will be staying for the next few weeks and you want them to be in a safe envirioment and it's up to you to make it happen.

Watch how the children play and how the Carers interact with the children. From this you may be able to see how the children react to the Carers and if they are happy. In most centres they have an orientation period where you can leave the child for an hour or so and stay outside and watch through the glass how your child is coping, you can also stay with the child and watch how your child reacts to what is going on around him/her.

Ask about their toilet training procedures for toddlers and how it works and what you have to bring. This procedure should be documented for you in a commucation book and in the centre's Policies. You should ask to see them.

Remember if you feel uncomfortable about the centre or management then do what you feel is right for you and your child, there are plenty of centres that may be better then the one you have just viewed.

Childcare centres are different this you will have to ask and see how much it will cost you. Remember you can get help from Centrelink, (in Australia), check with them and see what you are entitled too. The Director of the centre should also be able to give some information on this, if not check with Centrelink.

There are council run childcare centres, you can check out how much they cost, they maybe a bit cheaper.

Check out the centre's policies on payments, whether they use direct debit, whether you are charged for public holidays and how much notice you may have to give if want your child to leave the centre. Some centres require two weeks notice, every centre is different so make sure you ask.

 If you will have to pay if your child is sick and can't attend, some centres will still charge you, so make sure you read your centre's policy and if you still are unsure get the Director to clarify it for you.

Before you go into any centre here is a list of things to do:

• make sure you write down a list of what is important to you and your child.
• Tick off each item as you go into the centre.
• have a list of questions to ask
• make sure you check out the bathrooms and change rooms for the children
• checkout the playground
• is there enough shade area for the children to play in
• is the sandpit undershade if not why not? Are they going to put a shade cloth or canvas over it? Do you take the children out everyday and what times do you take them out? Remember Summer time the UV Rays are pretty strong between certain times.
• how do they follow up with toliet training?

If you are satisfied with the answers then you have found the right one for you, go home think about it, discuss it.

I hope this information was helpful and that you find the right centre for you.