Child care options for working parent could include the grandparents, other relatives, neighbours, nannies, an au pair, a day mother or daycare centres. Parents should be aware of the pros and cons when deciding which day care options they want.
This is not an easy task. One of the most important issues to look for is the safety of your child.
It is important to provide an acceptable level of safety for everyone who use, visit or work in a day care setting.
- The centre must be registered with the relevant department and follow existing requirements or specifications for day care centres
- All premises, equipment and daily procedures should be regularly checked, reviewed and monitored. A safety checklist can be used to do this
- Safety has to be in balance with the children's other needs. The children still need freedom and opportunity to play in a safe environment
- Staff and caregivers at the day care facility should be consistent and safety conscious
- Everyone should be made aware of risks that might be present and of precautions that might have to be made
- Training of child minders is essential
- An accident reporting system should be in place. Trained staff as well as a protocol for reporting of injuries should be on hand.
The following are is just some issues that parents or child minders should inspect regularly to make sure that children are cared for safely:
Are outside play areas fenced and can gate not be opened by small children? Are children supervised when playing outside and is the area free of glass? Is play equipment smooth, stable, rust free, splinters and sharp edges? Is the sandpit covered when not in use? Is surface under play equipment safe and impact absorbing? Is the drop-off area at the centre safe? Are there poisonous plants in the garden? Does the centre an accident record of each incident? Is staff trained in emergency care or first aid?