As a parent, your world revolves around your child, and you want them to grow up in an environment conducive to their mental and physical growth, which is why selecting the right childcare centre is crucial. There are two ways of doing this: homecare and daycare. Of the two, daycare is the better option.
But why is that? For one, they provide the right environment and social setting. Your child develops communication skills as they are in the company of other children. They learn faster, play different games, and imbibe values like sharing.
It provides them with the best start to their educational journey. But before you enrol with Busy Bees or any other childcare centre, you should know a few things, for example, their immunisation policy, curriculum, infrastructure, etc.
Doing so will make the process easier for you, especially if it’s your first time putting your child in daycare. These are some details that will help you out.
What items are children allowed to bring?
Most services provide meals, bedding, and almost anything else the child might need throughout the day. However, they might ask you to provide a water bottle with your child’s name mentioned.
You may have to supply an extra pair of clothes because the existing ones might become dirty while playing games. They might let you bring a blanket, favourite toy, or anything else that makes your child feel comfortable.
Do they have qualified educators?
A good daycare has qualified educators with formal training in early childhood education. Educators at these services usually have first aid qualifications, anaphylaxis, and emergency asthma management training.
They should be friendly, cooperative, and consistently engage with the kids. The programs led by the educators should instil in them qualities like curiosity, adaptation, creativity, resilience, connectedness, and secure identity.
Should your child be vaccinated before admission?
Most daycares will require you to vaccinate your child before admitting them. They might ask you to provide an immunisation history statement showing the vaccination status.
If you cannot provide the vaccination because of a medical condition or are on a catch-up schedule, the provider might ask you for a medical form signed by a medical practitioner.
Is session care available?
Session care allows you to choose a specific time within the daycare’s operating hours. Not all services provide you with this option. Some might provide you with 9, 10 or 12 hours sessions, with no fixed session timings.
It is better to discuss the session timing with the Service Manager of the facility to know the options available and select one that suits your needs.
Do they accommodate children with special needs?
Most childcare will accommodate children with unique needs after discussing the situation with their parents. You should communicate your child’s requirements and needs to the Service Manager, who will try their best to meet them.
Is there a separate curriculum for children?
An experienced service usually divides the curriculum into different parts like nursery, toddlers, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, depending on the early learning requirements of the child.
You should check if the education and care program meets the child’s requirements. Does it consist of flexible routines and transitions?
Does the centre meet the National Quality Standard?
It should follow the guidelines and standards set by the National Quality Framework according to the National Quality Standards. Along with a good curriculum, they should have a friendly environment, adequate safety provisions, accessible indoor and outdoor spaces, and well-maintained premises and furniture.
You should enrol with Busy Bees or other such reputed centres to provide your child with the best early learning opportunities. They will grow mentally, emotionally and physically in the right atmosphere under the excellent guidance of educators.
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