|
|
Day Care! Wow it's time to go back to work!Jul 19 '01 (Updated Jul 22 '02) Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Building Supplies
The Bottom Line It is a hard decision to make, so make it wisely.
It has been some time since my children were in a Day Care. My oldest is now 21 and a new mother, which makes me very excited about being a grandmother. She and her husband live far away from me, I live in Florida and they live in Texas She recently asked me how did I decide upon a Day Care for her and her brother and sister. She says that she is thinking about going back to work. The oldest was never in a Day Care but the other two were. This is what I told her. It is a very hard decision to make. The importance of your child should always be first in your heart and your head. Choosing a Day Care facility is not an easy one, as I said. You’re going to have to do some serious research. This decision is going to be more important than any house you may buy, or any car you may buy. Your children are the futures of this country so take this decision very seriously. Keep an open mind and use your common sense. In some families the grandparents or a sister or brother are available to help you out. This is the best way to go if you can, because who else can you trust if you can't trust your family. And if they don't mind baby-sitting for you, then pay them do so. Of course most grandparents are not going to charge you, because they get to spoil the grandchild and then send them packing when Mama or Daddy comes to pick them up. LOL I know this first hand, as many of you probably do. For those of you who do not have the privilege of family baby sitting as with my daughter and her husband. I have these suggestions to make to you: 1. Word of mouth can be the best source. Talk to your friends who have children and ask them who they use. 2. Look in the yellow pages under child care and write the names, phone number and addresses down of all the day cares closet to you. Check with the BBB and the local Chamber of Commerce. Check with your state for complaints as well. You may even want to consider a local church. 3. Call them and speak to them to them about their facility. Ask them what they have available and be sure to find out if they take babies under the age of 2. Some day cares will not. Ask them what they charge and the hours. 4. Go to the day care of interest and investigate them yourself. 5. When you get to the day care find the one in charge, introduce yourself and let them show you around. Ask them questions; this is how you will get your most information. So don't be afraid to ask, remember this is your child/children. 6. Ask the person in charge if you can just look around. And I mean really look. Look for friendliness, cleanliness, stability, kindness, teaching skills and how they may handle discipline. Anything you can think of. Even behind the doors. 7. Look in the play area to see what kind of equipment is available and the sturdiness of it and see how the yards look. Make sure that the day care keeps the yards up. Make sure it is fenced in. Check the security of the entire building. Find out just how they handle people coming in and out of the building. Some day cares have the office at the front, the actual day care behind a secured closed door. This is good. 8. Look in the nursery and find out about the baby beds, and baby equipment. Shake the bed to be sure it is sturdy; however make sure there are no babies in it first. Check out the walkers as well and the other play toys. Check out the refrigerator, there should be one if not ask why. If you have an infant, milk has to be stored somewhere as well as some medications. Look to see if it is clean, and check the date on any milk cartons or cheese products or other products that you may see. The beds and toys should be clean also. Be sure you know how many workers are in this area and how many other babies are already there. You want your baby to get the best care. 9. Check the place over very carefully. And check out their employees. Check out how they all act around the other children. Look for smiles on the children that are already there. 10. Ask about the food and snacks and drinks that they serve and how often and how much. 11. If you have a child with special needs, be sure the day care can handle it. 12. If you smell urine when you walk in, turn around and leave. This is not a good sign. Do keep in mind that some odors like "throw up" may have just happened. Children do get sick you know. 13. And remember children are sick in day cares, and your child may become sick as well. This cannot upset you too much because you have to leave your child/children somewhere. Schools have sick children also, so the chance that yours will come home sick is a strong possibility. 14. Something else to be sure of is make sure the day care has a separate nursery where other children cannot get into. And make sure that there is something for all ages. The older kids are just as important as the younger ones and you want them to be happy as well. Some day cares offer movies and Nintendo. And various others games and toys. Go home with all of your information and discuss it with the spouse (if you have one) if not discuss it with your parents or best friend or all of the above. This decision is critical, and don't ever let that leave your mind. You must feel comfortable with the day care, your child/children have to feel comfortable as well. You have to know that you can trust these people. If you don't, then look at another day care. You will also have to provide shot records, any allergies, sickness or special needs. Day Care is just like starting school. Please be sure that your baby has had all of their shots. Be sure that you bring all milks, cereals, etc., to the day care if you are leaving an infant. Also don't forget any medications that your child may be own. And be sure that you sign a release for the Day Care to administer the medication. Be sure you have left your number and your doctor’s numbers with the Day Care. Be sure you bring diapers and infant milk as needed, and a change of clothes for each child. And remember one of the most important things: your child's blanket or favorite toy. Don't forget that in the beginning when you start leaving your child/children it is going to be hard. Depending on the age, the child/children may cry. Deal with this very carefully. Know that when you leave that your child/children are in good hands. Sometimes you just have to go. And then maybe sometimes you just have to stay. Use your best judgment. Also let your employer know that you are now going to be leaving you child/children at a Day Care and you may run late a few times. The child/children’s adjustment is very important and most employers will understand this. Some companies now offer Day Care, check into this as well. And I promise you that you will cry all the way to work that first day or so. It is very hard to leave your child/children with a Day Care facility. Trust me I know this. Both parents should be involved with this decision as much as possible. And both parents should take and pick up the child/children as much as possible. I am sure that I forgot something but I think I got most of it. I hope that this will help some of you. God Bless and good luck!  |
| Write the first comment on this review! |
