10 Things to Consider When Starting Child Care

Starting Child Care can be a daunting exercise for parents and can stimulate all kinds of feelings ranging from excitement and anticipation, to guilt and anxiety. To help make yourself feel a little better and be in the know about your choice of care setting, here are a few helpful things to ask before the 1st big day.

1. Hours of Operation and Collection of Children

What are your operating hours? Do you close for school holidays? What happens if I am running late to collect my child? What is your policy on other people collecting my child? How do you monitor who is coming and going from the building? Is there flexibility with the days I attend and what happens if my child is absent?

2. Fees

What do I need to bring along with me and what is included in my fees? Am I eligible for Child Care Benefit and/ or Government Assistance? How regularly must I pay fees and what is the preferred method for doing so (cash, direct deposit, etc)? Do you require a bond prior to commencing?

3. Policies and Procedures

What paperwork must I complete before starting care? Where are your Policies and Procedures kept? Are these available to me if I wish to read them? As a parent do I have input into Policy development? What are your Emergency Procedures? What are your Policies relating to Medication, Sun Safety, Child Illnesses and Administration matters?

4. Staffing and Supervision

What are your Staff: Child ratios? What are the qualifications of staff and how do you go about retaining quality staff? Are staff offered opportunities for further development? How are interactions with children monitored in this setting? How are children monitored when playing outside? Do staff hold current First Aid Certificates?

5. Meals

Are children's daily dietary requirements met? Is the menu interesting and do you offer an alternative choice if children are not keen to eat? How are children with dietary restrictions (allergies, cultural needs) catered for?

6. Program

How is the program developed and implemented by staff? Is my child catered for regularly in the program? Do I have access to my child's developmental records if I wish to see them? As a parent can I have input into the program? Do you encourage parent participation during the day?

7. Additional Services

Are children offered services additional to the regular program (special events, shows, excursions, etc?). Are these services included in my fees or am I required to pay extra? How are people other than staff monitored during their time in the service?

8. Accreditation/ Licensing

Are you an accredited service? Why or why not? What was your most recent result? Has the service met licensing requirements?

9. Conflict Resolution

If I have a question or need assistance, who do I speak with? What is the procedure for registering a complaint?

10. Confidentiality

How are my personal records kept confidential at the service? How are staff trained to respect the privacy of parents and children?

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