Finding the right child care is a priority for any parent. There are many ways that you can ensure that you are making the right choice. These include:
Looking for schools and facilities that are registered with the National Children’s Nurseries Association or NCNA.
Ensuring that the child care facility you choose is registered and inspected by the HSE.
Draw up a list of all the child care options that are located near to you, or are conveniently located.
Check that each of your potential options has notified the HSE.
Find out costs and fees.
Find out what type of early education programs are on offer – call and make sure that they have room for your child.
Enquire whether they are registered with the NCNA.
Find out if they have a brochure, website or any other information you can look at.
Make an appointment to visit your short listed options.
Take a pen and paper along to make notes.
Try to arrange that your child accompanies you, and watch how the staff engage with your child.
Look for a clean, well organised, spacious, bright and airy facility.
Check that infants rooms, and children’s sleeping areas are safe, quiet and comfortable.
Look for a facility that divides children into the relevant age groups.
Find out whether siblings can meet and spend time together during the day.
The facility should be well stocked with quality, well maintained toys, equipment and other educational items.
They should offer a variety of toys and activities that are stimulating and age appropriate for children.
There should be quiet areas for rest and relaxation.
Television and radio usage should be limited, and there should be documented policies regarding their use.
The kitchen facilities should be clean and well maintained, and foods, including baby bottles, should be refrigerated and where appropriate, properly labelled.
There should be designated food preparation areas, and food and cleaning materials should be handled and stored separately.
Ask to see a sample menu.
Check whether children receive a varied and balanced diet.
Enquire about snacks, and whether food is prepared in house, or delivered by another company.
Find out whether special dietary requirements are catered for, and whether allergies are noted.
Ensure that children do not have access to the kitchen facilities.
Find out whether there is a breast feeding area if you are still nursing.
Ensure that only water, juice and milk are offered during the day.
Enquire about the activities that are on offer, and how they are planned.
Find out whether your child will be involved in group play and activities.
Check whether there is a fixed syllabus, and at what age does it start and end.
Look out for facilities that offer both child lead and care giver driven activities for children.
Enquire about the number of children in the group.
Check that discipline policies reward good behaviour, and correct negative behaviour in a positive way.
Find out what policies are in place for children who are distraught when they arrive.
Enquire about policies on diversity.
Observe the staff and children. Are they relaxed and happy? Is the atmosphere pleasant and friendly?
Watch how the staff interact with the children. They should be friendly, helpful and communicating easily.
Check the credentials of the staff, and enquire about holiday policies, sick leave procedures and staff turnover.
Find out how much, or how little, involvement parents are allowed to have in their child’s care and education.
Make sure that there is an open door policy.
Check on reporting policies – how often will you be apprised of your child’s performance?
Enquire whether there is a newsletter, or another form of communication.
Check that health and safety policies are documented and displayed.
Inspect the premises, to ensure that they are safe for small children, including entrance and exit security, access to electrical power points and any other security and safety worries.
Find out whether there is a documented accident reporting procedure.
Ensure that the facility has public liability insurance.
Check that there are fire prevention policies, as well as fire drills and procedures in place.
Find out when, and how, you will be notified of an emergency.
This may seem like a long and exhausting list of things to check, however, when it comes to ensuring that your child gets the best possible care, it’s important that you make sure you cover all your bases.
Looking for schools and facilities that are registered with the National Children’s Nurseries Association or NCNA.
Ensuring that the child care facility you choose is registered and inspected by the HSE.
Draw up a list of all the child care options that are located near to you, or are conveniently located.
Check that each of your potential options has notified the HSE.
Find out costs and fees.
Find out what type of early education programs are on offer – call and make sure that they have room for your child.
Enquire whether they are registered with the NCNA.
Find out if they have a brochure, website or any other information you can look at.
Make an appointment to visit your short listed options.
Take a pen and paper along to make notes.
Try to arrange that your child accompanies you, and watch how the staff engage with your child.
Look for a clean, well organised, spacious, bright and airy facility.
Check that infants rooms, and children’s sleeping areas are safe, quiet and comfortable.
Look for a facility that divides children into the relevant age groups.
Find out whether siblings can meet and spend time together during the day.
The facility should be well stocked with quality, well maintained toys, equipment and other educational items.
They should offer a variety of toys and activities that are stimulating and age appropriate for children.
There should be quiet areas for rest and relaxation.
Television and radio usage should be limited, and there should be documented policies regarding their use.
The kitchen facilities should be clean and well maintained, and foods, including baby bottles, should be refrigerated and where appropriate, properly labelled.
There should be designated food preparation areas, and food and cleaning materials should be handled and stored separately.
Ask to see a sample menu.
Check whether children receive a varied and balanced diet.
Enquire about snacks, and whether food is prepared in house, or delivered by another company.
Find out whether special dietary requirements are catered for, and whether allergies are noted.
Ensure that children do not have access to the kitchen facilities.
Find out whether there is a breast feeding area if you are still nursing.
Ensure that only water, juice and milk are offered during the day.
Enquire about the activities that are on offer, and how they are planned.
Find out whether your child will be involved in group play and activities.
Check whether there is a fixed syllabus, and at what age does it start and end.
Look out for facilities that offer both child lead and care giver driven activities for children.
Enquire about the number of children in the group.
Check that discipline policies reward good behaviour, and correct negative behaviour in a positive way.
Find out what policies are in place for children who are distraught when they arrive.
Enquire about policies on diversity.
Observe the staff and children. Are they relaxed and happy? Is the atmosphere pleasant and friendly?
Watch how the staff interact with the children. They should be friendly, helpful and communicating easily.
Check the credentials of the staff, and enquire about holiday policies, sick leave procedures and staff turnover.
Find out how much, or how little, involvement parents are allowed to have in their child’s care and education.
Make sure that there is an open door policy.
Check on reporting policies – how often will you be apprised of your child’s performance?
Enquire whether there is a newsletter, or another form of communication.
Check that health and safety policies are documented and displayed.
Inspect the premises, to ensure that they are safe for small children, including entrance and exit security, access to electrical power points and any other security and safety worries.
Find out whether there is a documented accident reporting procedure.
Ensure that the facility has public liability insurance.
Check that there are fire prevention policies, as well as fire drills and procedures in place.
Find out when, and how, you will be notified of an emergency.
This may seem like a long and exhausting list of things to check, however, when it comes to ensuring that your child gets the best possible care, it’s important that you make sure you cover all your bases.
