Childcare is in the news again for all the wrong reasons this week, with a paedophile toddler rapist being aged just 20 years raping a toddler and grooming young girls online.
While it does send a shiver down the spines of parents, it is not commonplace.
If you are thinking of returning to work and need to find childcare for your child, here are some tips on choosing a childcare provider – be it a nursery or a childminder – more guidance is available in our guide, The Working Parent’s Stress Free Guide to Finding Good Childcare.
How to choose a childcare provider
Entrusting a stranger with your child is a big step and it can be very daunting. But there are some basic things that you must try to do to ensure you can spot any peculiarities:
- give yourself enough of time to find childcare – some nurseries can be booked up with a year-long waiting list, so if you want to get your child into your preferred choice, start making enquiries before you give birth.
- ask other parents for recommendations – friends and relatives with children can offer an insider’s view on childcare.
- visit two or three childcare providers to compare what’s on offer, and get a feel for the staff.
- think about your child’s personality and interests – what environment will they prefer? Are they best suited to a childminder who has less children, or would they benefit from a wider social circle at a nursery?
- check opening times, holiday dates and costs
What to look for in a childcare provider
- Does the childcare setting have a friendly feel?
- Is it clean, light, well ventilated and big enough for children to be active both indoors and outdoors? If it smells when you visit, then they were not bothered about you coming to see them, so imagine the conditions that your child will be subjected to when you aren’t there?
- Are there places where the children can rest?
- Are the toys sufficiently varied (do they differ in size, texture, colour and shape)?
- Do the children look happy?
- Do they children use foul language?
- Are the children well behaved, controlled and happy?
- Do the child carers talk to the children in a way that interests and encourages them?
- Are there plenty of children of your child’s age?
- Is the childminder or nursery Ofsted registered? You can check their inspection report on the Ofted website and see the inspector’s comments. If any alarm bells ring, ask the nursery of childminder questions about the report or find an alternative.
- Is the furniture of a sufficiently high standard and clean?
- Are there enough staff to keep an eye on all children? (at least one member of staff for every eight children aged three to five)
- Does the staff manage behaviour appropriately? (there should be a written policy for you to see).
Questions to ask childcare providers
You may want to ask about the following:
- Safety – what happens in an emergency?
- Are the premises secure (can strangers get in)?
- What training and experience do the carers have? Most nurseries put up the certificates of all staff so that parents can see.
- How does the provider report safety incidents to parents?
- Do the carers know first aid?
- What is the staff’s view on discipline?
- What activities are on offer?
- What happens if you are late picking up your child?
- What food is provided (is it healthy)?
- Who can you talk to about your child’s progress?
- What happens if your child becomes ill?
It might also be a good idea to ask to see the provider’s written health and safety policy (every group care provider should have one).
Monitoring your child’s care
Once you have chosen a childcare provider, give them clear information about your child’s likes and dislikes and any health issues they may have. After a few weeks, you might want to go back and speak to the provider to find out how your child is getting on so you can iron out any issues early on.
It’s also a good idea to talk to your child, to make sure they are happy and comfortable with their care provider.
While a lot of children will resist being left at a new place in the early days, if this continues for too long, or if you feel that your child’s reaction to a particular carer is strange, don’t ignore it.
Where to find a childcare provider
For information about childcare providers in your area, contact your local authority or Families Information Service (FIS).
Your local FIS is a free information service for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 19. They can give information and advice to help you find and choose childcare, and also help you find activities for your children locally.
