INDUSTRY INSIGHT
PARENTING
SPONSORED CONTENT
Child Care Prep Tips for Parents-to-Be
Expectant parents have a lot on their minds , from shopping for playpens , to stocking up on diapers , to baby-proofing the house . They also have to make a decision about child care . If both parents are going back to work after the baby ’ s arrival , one thing that must be added to the checklist is finding high-quality child care .
START EARLY
The best time to begin researching child care providers for your infant is before your child is born . It might sound a little silly to begin your search so early , but there are a few good reasons to do so . Many families reserve their children ’ s spots early on , creating long waiting lists at many child care providers . Also , a mom-to-be who waits until the last trimester may encounter some restriction in going out and taking a tour , especially if she needs bed rest . The sooner you find a provider that you are comfortable with , the sooner you can relax and enjoy the time with your newborn .
LOCATION
Another factor to consider is location . You may feel more comfortable having a child care provider close to home , but you ’ ll need to think about whether this creates problems with picking your child up on time after work due to traffic . You could also choose a location closer to your work , but this could create problems if you ever work from home . If you choose to breastfeed , it is more practical to pick a location near your workplace , if you may be able to go to your baby and nurse . Find out the designated area for breastfeeding or if there is a quiet place where you can do it . A few other questions to ask is which parent will be primarily responsible for dropping off and picking up your child , or will you share that role . If you ’ re sharing the role perhaps you should find a child care provider that is centrally located .
HEALTH & SAFETY
There is nothing more important than your child ’ s safety , and when it comes to health and safety there is no question too big or small . Find out if proper handwashing techniques are being utilized . Go ahead and ask about diapering procedures , and whether the location is cleaned every day by a professional . Be clear about any illness policy that determines when children are too ill to attend . Take a tour and see for yourself if the environment is clean and inviting . With all of the concern over immunizations these days , it ’ s important to ask if the school requires a medical screen and updated immunizations in order to enroll a child , and if the teachers have to provide a medical screen as well .
DIRECTOR AND TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
You ’ ll certainly want to find out if the school employs teachers with education and experience in Early Childhood Education . Don ’ t assume that the school requires ongoing teacher training and development ; ask about plans for professional development . Make sure to inquire whether teachers are required to have first aid / CPR training . It ’ s important to know if children are supervised by sight and sound at all times and if the group sizes are small . Smaller group sizes and low teacher-to-child ratios ensure better supervision and safety . These ratios vary from state to state , so inquire about regulations .
Getting a third party opinion is not a bad idea either . You shouldn ’ t base your decision solely on that , but getting input from friends and family definitely helps in making a decision . To get a real sense of what the typical day is like at the child care provider , you should also make it a point to visit during hours of operation . Plan ahead by asking about other classrooms as well so that you can see the program that your child will attend as he / she grows .
This Industry Insight was co-authored by the owners of The Goddard Schools located in Moon Township & Wexford . Dina Speranza & Carol Maier ( left ) are the owners of The Goddard School ® located at 800 Commerce Avenue in Moon Township . Mark & Jennifer Rebstock ( right ) are the owners of The Goddard School ® located at 3000 Brooktree Road , Wexford . Goddard offers both full- and part-time infant / toddler / preschool / kindergarten programs . For more information , visit www . goddardschool . com .
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