Everyday parents place their children in the hands of childcare providers they know very little about. We trust that the childcare provider will love and protect our child the way we do. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and children can suffer as a result. Therefore, it is your duty as a parent to make sure that your childcare provider is reliable and responsible.
Make sure to interview prospective caregivers asking these key questions:
• What is the policy on parents dropping in unexpectedly? A facility that allows the parent in at anytime of the day usually has nothing to hide.
• What is the policy on discipline? Make sure that the caregiver’s idea of discipline is in line with yours and with local laws.
• What is the policy on emergency situations? You need to know that the caregiver is ready for anything that can happen.
• What is the caregiver/child ratio? When a facility has many caregivers, abuse is unlikely.
It’s also a good idea to talk to the parents of other children who attend the facility to find out if they are satisfied with the level of care and if their child is happy.
Make sure to interview prospective caregivers asking these key questions:
• What is the policy on parents dropping in unexpectedly? A facility that allows the parent in at anytime of the day usually has nothing to hide.
• What is the policy on discipline? Make sure that the caregiver’s idea of discipline is in line with yours and with local laws.
• What is the policy on emergency situations? You need to know that the caregiver is ready for anything that can happen.
• What is the caregiver/child ratio? When a facility has many caregivers, abuse is unlikely.
It’s also a good idea to talk to the parents of other children who attend the facility to find out if they are satisfied with the level of care and if their child is happy.
