The best way to avoid tears or drama, is to prepare a child before any new experience or change in their routine. Once you have chosen the childcare that best suits your child and your circumstances, talk to your child of what is happening in his life, and follow some of the points we have set up:
Prepare in advance – have everything your child needs during childcare prepared in advance, don't let the first days be stressful.
Try to keep a positive attitude – it's hard to let go, but your feelings will transport to the child.
Slow introduction – plan in the time your child needs to slowly be introduced into care, if you feel he will need it.
Be prepared for tears – leave when you have to and make sure you can call your childcare provider for an update on your child's emotional state later on.
Be friendly – treat your childcare provider like a friend so that your child can feel confident in their company.
Afterwards – show interest and ask your child specific questions about his day. Vague questions will only get you vague answers.
The other children – if there are other children at your child's childcare, learn their names and a bit about them. It will help you and your child to be part of their day.
How to choose
Parents must take many issues into consideration when choosing childcare. Getting advice from other parents is cruicial, but at the end of the day you must choose whatever alternative is best suited to your child, family, situation and lifestyle.
All parents want their children to have a head start in life, but do not be blinded by academic achievements in a preschool if this means that its location will complicate your day. While you will automatically put priority on cost, consider also where the distance to the childcare facilities, the facilities themselves, and most importantly of all the providers. Always look for warm, responsive and nurturing environment, where there is a positive interaction between adult and child.
A few questions to ask yourself
How would you like your child to pass the day?
What kind of curriculum or schedule do you like your child to have?
What kind or feedback or reports do you expect from your childcare provider, regarding your child's development?
Can the provider meet my child's special needs?
Key facts to know in advance
While you might be delighted to find the ideal childcare for your child, great provider, great facilities, close to home, and so on, there are a couple of issues you need to establish beforehand. These issues are mainly related to money and costs, but also to the management.
- What is the policy on sick days and holidays?
- Both of the provider and child. Are meals or snacks provided?
- What are they and where are they prepared?
- What are the hours and how flexible are they?
- Are there any additional costs throughout the year?
- How is an emergency handled?
- Are there any substitute or back-up staff? Who are they?
- Who has access to the facilities and is present during your child's day?
- How is discipline handled?
Preschools and ECCE scheme
To avail of the ECCE scheme, a preschool has to be registered and monitored by the HSE or the Irish Montessori Educational Board (IMEB). It is the preschool that needs to apply to the scheme and comply with all the regulations. Before enrolling your child, make sure that the preschool you have chosen has received the government approval for the ECCE scheme. It is only available for children aged 3 years and 2 months, to children no older than 4 years and 6 months on the 1st of September.
Montessori preschools follow a set curriculum, that is based in the Montessori pedagogy. The emphasis is on academic learning through play. Your child will early on start learning basics on numbers and letters. Do not be surprised it Montessori preschools operate somewhat differently from each other and your choice of preschool might not be what you expected. Talk to the teachers, ask questions and observe as much as possible so you have a good idea of what your child's day looks like when you choose a preschool.
Other preschools are individual, while still adhering to the HSE standards, you will have to figure out the type of curriculum is provided. It could be simply play and social interaction, but it is important that the teacher has a scheduled plan to follow.
Crèche
Many parents fear that their child's needs will go unnoticed in a crèche, and prefer the homely and personal care of a childminder. The fact is that many children thrive in the social environment of a crèche, the scheduled activities give them stability and the adapted facilities, such as small chairs and toilets, give them a sense of belonging.
Depending on your child's age you will have different questions and issues to ask about. Most larger crèches will have separated rooms for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Some also have after-school facilities, so a good crèche will provide many years of care for your child. Most crèches providing full day care will have registered for the ECCE scheme for part of the day, but ask in advance.
Childminder
There is today many more women choosing to do childminding from their home, due to the economic situation. While it is encouraged that you choose a registered childminder, many will avail of a friendly neighbour or follow a recommendation. Ask the same questions as you would an established crèche or preschool, particularly the key facts mentioned above.
Don't take for granted that your child will have the same type of day with a minder as with you. Talk about TV habits, available snacks, who comes to the house and has access to the children, how many children are minded in the house, their age groups, and so on.
An ideal childminder will provide the child care in an environment similar to his own home, and the change will not be as abrupt for your child. While most minders provide nurturing and safe environments, make sure you know the facts and don't take them for granted.
Childminders cannot register for the ECCE scheme, so to avail of it you or your minder will have to pick up your child at a registered preschool.
Nanny and Aupair
A nanny is hardly affordable for the average Irish family, as few have the money to have access to a personal and professional childcare provider.
Aupairs are a substitute and are often used by families with room . While aupairs are a cheap alternative to most childcare available, as a family you will have to adapt to the circumstances of having another person in your house. As with any childcare, make sure you in advance have clear expectations and requirements of the aupair's role. Do not expect a qualified nanny to arrive, but that doesn't mean that it will not work out well.
An aupair's personality and her expectations of the stay are the two most important issues to be clear on. Ask a lot of questions about her family relationships, hobbies, interests and what she hopes to get out of her time with your family. Consider things like boyfriends, access to other young people and life outside your family, free time and how integrated you want her to be in your family.
You can either find aupairs through agencies, online or by advertisement. Agencies can be costly, but they will vet the aupair thoroughly and will try to provide good matches for aupair and family. Ask the agency plenty of questions on their policies, such as changing aupair, vetting, costs, and so on.
Do you have any great tips to share?