How to find the best quality child care

Contributed by

Roxanne Elliott

Founder CareforKids.com.au enquiries@careforkids.com.au

How to find the Best Quality Child Care Toolkit for Parents

Finding child care is one of the more daunting and time consuming tasks a parent faces. At CareforKids.com.au our sole mission is to assist families with finding the right care for their children.

Whether you choose a nanny, au pair, in-home, family day care , long day care centre, a preschool, or nanny share arrangement it is all about your child receiving quality, professional child care suited to you and your child's needs.

You want to ensure that your child is safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, and nurturing.

Here are some useful tips in helping you find a child care service that is right for you and your child.

Determining the type of care your child needs

Determining the type of care your child needs. Consider their temperament, likes and dislikes, health, interests and behavior, developmental play and learning styles, interaction with other children, and need for individualised attention should be considered.

The different types of child care available to parents can be overwhelming and consuming particularly for first time parents.

Click here to help you find out more about the types of child care available and compare the pros and cons.

Finding and choosing quality child care

Once you are aware of the types of child care available consider cost, location, security, quality and reputation of the service.

To find child care services operating in your area click here.

Include your child – take your child with you and observe the carer, the facility and the other children.

Checklists

Use our handy checklists to investigate and evaluate the child care services on offer:

Child Care Centre checklist

Family Day Care / In Home Care checklist

Interviewing a Nanny or Au Pair Checklist

Establishing good relationships with the child care provider

Take steps to establish good relationships with the child care provider.

Daily reports about the child's day and frequent visits can help you to track your child's progress and reassure you that your child is being nurtured and having fun.

If you have engaged a nanny here is a nanny/parent diary system that you might like to introduce into you and your child's care routine.

In the event that you have an issue or disagreement with your child care provider the best course of action is to talk through your concerns. Our articles on How to Manage Issues with your Child Care Service and Managing Complaints with OOSH Care offer guidance in these areas.

Helping your child adjust to child care

Just as you need to feel confident in your child care arrangement your child needs to know there is at least one person who is looking out for their best interests.

Helping your child to adjust to child care is essential to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your child whilst they are in a care.

The Tools

Types of Child Care

Comparing the pros and cons

Finding child care services in your area

Child Care Centre Checklist

Family Day Care / In Home Care checklist

Nanny/Parent Diary system

Helping your child to adjust to child care

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