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Choosing Childcare - Helpful Hints and Top 10 Questions to Ask
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Choosing the right childcare for your child can be a worrying time, to help you we have given you a list of questions to think about but of course you can add your own as well.
We would recommend you visit a selection of providers to give you an idea of what will suit you and your child. Take your child with you to see how staff talk to them and try to visit during opening hours so you can get an idea of a typical day and see if the children there are happy, calm and busy.
Always ask to see an Ofsted registration certificate, a recent inspection report and references from other parents.
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| Nurseries |
- How many children are each member of staff responsible for? (Ratios should be: 1 member of staff for every 3 children aged 0-2 years; children aged 2 years 1:4; children aged 3-7 years 1:8)
- What is the usual turnover of staff each year? What training do the staff have? (answers to these questions will vary, but most childcare providers with employ staff with qualifications)
- Can I see where children play outside and where do they sleep if they need to? (What security measures are there to ensure that the children are safe?)
- What will my child eat and drink during the day? (Are special diets catered for if necessary?)
- What is the daily routine and how will my child be occupied? (Are there planned sessions as well as free-play time?)
- Will my child be kept with the same group of children? (This gives your child a chance to develop social skills and relationships with children of similar age)
- How do you encourage good behaviour? (Until children learn to talk and communicate clearly, they often get frustrated and misbehave because they can't easily make you understand what is wrong, what they need - a hug or a drink for example - or that they are just tired and need to sleep)
- How will I know what my child has been doing during the day? (Will your child have a key-carer that you can talk to about your child's experiences during the day?)
- What if my child becomes ill? (If you are at work, does your employer understand that you may need to take time off to care for your child if he or she is unwell?)
- Don't forget to ask about costs - if your child is aged 3 to 5 years, ask about Nursery Education Grant to see whether the nursery is registered for grant and when your child is eligible for funding
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| Childminders |
- May I see your Ofsted registration certificate and your certificate of insurance and First Aid certificate? (If you are not sure, you can also contact the Warwickshire Family Information Service to check that a childcare provider is registered. Childminders should have public liability insurance and have taken an appropriate First Aid course).
- How long have you been looking after children and what made you choose childminding as a career? (Many childminders have their own young children to care for. All registered childminders are obliged to complete the Introduction to Childminding Practice course within 6 months of getting registered. You should be shown certificates for any other qualifications taken)
- Can I see where children play outside? (What security measures are there to ensure that the children are safe? If there is no garden, are the children taken out on trips or to play in a local park regularly?)
- What do the children eat and drink? Are you able to cater for special diets? (Sometimes childminders and/or parents prefer children to bring their own packed lunches, though snacks and drinks will be provided)
- What do you do with the children all day? (Many childminders take younger children to parent/carer & toddler group and/or to pre-school)
- What ages are the other children who are regularly cared for at the same time as my child? (How does the childminder manage potty training or taking older children to school?)
- How do you encourage good behaviour? (Does the childminder have a policy for dealing with misbehaviour? Until children learn to talk and communicate clearly, they often get frustrated and misbehave because they can't easily make you understand what is wrong, what they need - a hug or a drink for example - or that they are just tired and need to sleep)
- May I contact other parents whose children you care for or have cared for in advance in order to obtain references? (Providers may be able to provide contact details of parents to obtain references)
- Where will my child sleep during the day? (Most providers will have a room where children can sleep)
- Are there any other adults around during the hours that minded children are cared for? (Sometimes childminders have an approved assistant, but this should be stated on their registration certificiate)
You will need to have a legal contract with your childminder giving details of notice required, payment and any other details that need to be agreed. |