Choosing Quality Child Care |
|
Recognizing High Quality Care The Relationship Between
Caregiver and Child Caregiver Training and Job
Satisfaction The Physical Setting The Nature of the Program Licensing Requirements The Amount of Supervision Parental Involvement Indicators of Quality Child Care Information on Selecting a Home
Child Care Provider Information on Selecting
Centre-Based Child Care Preparing Yourself What You Can Do to Help What You Can Do at Home |
Recognizing High Quality Care
High quality child care is built on a foundation of co-operation and trust that leads to mutually rewarding relationships involving children, parents and caregivers. When such relationships develop, children are likely to be well-adjusted and have a strong sense of their own value and self-worth.
Parents recognize quality in child care by looking for characteristics that will increase the well-being of their children and strengthen relationships with their caregivers.
Research shows that these characteristics include:
· relationship between caregiver and child
· caregiver training and job satisfaction
· the physical setting
· the nature of the program
· licensing requirements
· the amount of supervision the children receive
·
parent involvement
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The Relationship Between Caregiver and Child
The relationship between caregiver and child may be the most important characteristic of high quality care. Parents should look for caregivers who are enthusiastic, warm and spend time with the children in their care. They should also watch for caregivers who talk frequently with children in ways that are informative, responsive and accepting. Such caregivers bend down to address children face to face, seem genuinely concerned and interested, listen carefully to what children have to say, and are able to express their liking and admiration for children.
Children who regularly enjoy such positive relationships feel liked, accepted and good about themselves. They may also show greater emotional security, better social skills and higher levels of language and other kinds of development than children who have caregivers who are less interested and less involved with the children in their care.
Caregiver Training and Job Satisfaction
Children are likely to receive high quality care when their caregivers have training as well as professional experience in caring for children.
High quality care is also likely to be provided when caregivers enjoy their work, are well paid and feel valued. When caregiver turnover is low, children feel more secure.
When you are looking for childcare, ask caregivers if they have formal training in early childhood education or child development. Ask how long they have been working in the child care field and whether they enjoy their work. Their answers to these questions will help you decide whether they will give your child high quality care.
The Physical Setting
Another characteristic of high quality care is a physical setting that is suitable for children and has a variety of appropriate toys, educational materials and equipment.
When choosing care, look for a place that is safe and includes space where your child can play freely indoors and out. It should also have areas where your child can take part in activities such as painting, playing with blocks and looking at books. Try to find a place where children feel comfortable, where wall decorations are at eye level and there are no objects that could be dangerous to children.
The Nature of the Program
Children benefit from high quality care when programs provide a variety of interesting activities planned to suit their particular ages and abilities. They also benefit when these activities reflect the cultural practices of their families.
Look for a childcare arrangement that will help your child to develop both physically and mentally. Check for a balance between active and quiet activities. Make sure your child has opportunities to be imaginative and creative and to take part in games and projects that help all the children enjoy each other's company.
Licensing Requirements
Licensing requirements provide a foundation upon which high quality childcare can be built. Although a licence is not itself a guarantee of high quality care, it does ensure that some of the basic requirements for quality were being met when the licensing inspection was carried out.
These requirements have been developed to protect the health and safety of children. They also relate to a number of characteristics of high quality care including adult-to-child ratios and group sizes, caregiver training, the physical setting and program planning.
In a child care centre, the licence is posted where parents and visitors can see it. A regular licence is displayed in white while a provisional licence is in yellow. A licensing poster and brochures are posted near every entrance. If the poster shows that the centre has a provisional licence, an attachment in the brochure says what requirements of the Day Nurseries Act were not being met at the time of the licensing inspection.
In a home child care agency, the licence is displayed in white in the agency's office. If an agency has a provisional licence, any requirements not being met at the time of the licensing inspection are indicated on the licence.
In either case, when there is a provisional licence, parents should ask the direct or supervisor what is being done to meet requirements. Parents should also make sure they are satisfied with the answer they receive.
The Amount of Supervision
Research has shown that when caregivers are responsible for a small number of children, they provide higher quality care. Similarly, when children are in small groups they tend to receive higher quality care. The ideal number of children and group size changes according to the age of the children. In general, young children need more adult attention and small group sizes.
The relationship between the number of adults and children is called the adult-to-child ratio. Child care centres must maintain the adult-to-child ratios and group sizes set out in the Day Nurseries Act. For example, there must be a staff member for every five children 18 to 30 months of age or an adult-to-child ratio of 1:5. The maximum number of children of this age in a group is fifteen. The ratios and group sizes are different for children of different ages. Similarly, according to the Day Nurseries Act, home child care agencies must limit the number of children cared for by each provider.
Parental Involvement
Although licensing requirements can provide a foundation for quality, responsibility for recognizing and choosing high quality care rests with parents. In fact, the involvement of parents as active partners in their children's care helps to strengthen and maintain quality.
Strong partnerships between parents and caregivers are characterized by regular communication. Caregivers who provide high quality care share information with parents about their children's experiences in child care. They also make it possible for parents to express doubts or concerns. Parents who expect high quality care ask questions and provide caregivers with constructive feedback on a regular basis.
Research reveals that better child care is better for children. Learning how to recognize high quality care is a first step toward ensuring that your child receives the best possible care.
Indicators of Quality Child Care
Whether you choose formal or informal child care, the following are some indicators of quality care:
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A Quality Caregiver |
A Quality Environment |
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·
has a warm
personality, enjoys and values children |
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is safe for children,
regardless of their mobility |
|
·
is attentive to your
child’s smiles as well as cries |
·
has a pleasant,
clean, and “happy” atmosphere. |
|
·
relates to your child
as a unique individual and encourages growth towards independence |
·
offers a variety of
age appropriate materials and play spaces to promote your child’s development |
|
·
understands the ages
and stages of child development |
·
values play that is
child-directed instead of adult-directed |
|
·
is flexible, patient
and understanding |
·
has a variety of
toys, books and materials that are in good repair |
|
·
has a child rearing
philosophy compatible with your own |
·
offers opportunities
for creative activities and exploration |
|
·
plays with your child
and provides a variety of play experiences |
·
has space available
for quiet time or naps |
|
·
trusts and values
parents suggestions |
·
offers nutritionally
sound meals and snacks |
|
·
sees training and
growth as a continual process |
·
maintains sanitary
conditions for food preparations, diaper changes and bathroom facilities. |
Information on Selecting a Home Child Care Provider
Information on Selecting
Centre-Based Child Care
Preparing Yourself
Child care can be an enriching and satisfying experience for you and your child. Both of you may need time, however, to adjust to the changes that a child care arrangement may involve.
Depending on your child's age, personality and stage of development, feeling comfortable in child care may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Further, children who seem to adapt immediately often go through a time of adjustment a week or two after starting child care. Since each child is different, it is not wise to compare your child to others.
Your child's introduction to child care will be easier if your caregiver understands that you and your child may feel some uncertainty about being separated from each other. Your caregiver can relieve your concerns and help your child adjust to new surroundings.
What You Can Do to Help
You can help your child by preparing both yourself and your child well in advance. You can make it easier for your caregiver to assist you by providing information about your cultural practices and your child's routines and activities at home.
To gain confidence with your child care arrangement and help your child become accustomed to the child care setting,
·
make sure you feel good about the child care
arrangement. If you feel anxious about your decision, your child will sense it
and become anxious too. Talk to your caregiver about any lingering doubts or
questions you may have.
·
speak positively about the child care setting
and the people there before care begins. Your child's attitude is likely to
reflect your confidence and enthusiasm.
·
visit the centre or home with your child ahead
of time and more than once, if possible. Your child can meet the caregiver and
other children, and become familiar with what happens there. You can ask
questions and observe too. Arrange a time when the caregiver is available to
meet with you.
·
arrange to go with your child on the first day
of care or arrange for your child to be accompanied by another adult whom your
child knows.
·
begin care gradually, if possible. For example,
on the first day, take your child for an hour or so, then leave together. On
the next few days, stay for several hours. As your child becomes more
comfortable, leave for a short time. Gradually increase the time away until
your child is spending the full day in care.
·
allow your child to take a favourite toy or
object such as a teddy bear or blanket that will be a reminder of you or of
home. These items may comfort your child when everything else is new and
strange.
·
say good-bye, even if your child is playing
happily. State clearly when you will be back, using words your child
understands. For example, "I will be back after you finish your snack and
play outside." Your child needs to feel certain that you will return. If
you disappear without saying anything, your child may become upset.
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Keep going, once you have said good-bye. If you
hesitate, you may confuse your child.
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pick up your child at the time you said you
would. Your child is counting on you to return when you promised.
· greet your child warmly. At the end of the day, your child may be tearful or simply ignore you. Understand that this is a normal part of getting used to child care.
What You Can Do at Home
It is not unusual for children to experience behaviour changes while they adjust to child care. It is important to be patient and understanding. While adjusting to separation from you, your child is learning to cope with new people, a new place and unfamiliar routines and activities.
Benefit from the training and experience of your caregiver who can make it easier for you to understand what your child is feeling and suggest what action you can take at home to help.
Spend time with your child, observe, ask questions and listen. Direct communication with your child is the best way to find out about what has happened during the day.
Help your child get used to the child care setting by making sure there are no other major changes in your child's life. For example, don't begin toilet training or experiment with new foods during this time. Emphasize familiar routines and activities that will make your child feel secure.
Above all, make sure you continue to feel good about your child care arrangement. Your confidence and positive attitude will be passed on to your child. Both of you will get used to the child care arrangement more quickly and begin to enjoy the benefits that it can have for your whole family.
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