Amber Sansaver
Child and Adult Psy
Summer 2004
Response question #3
Chapter 8
Due date 18th
There are many factors to consider when deciding to put your baby in daycare. You would want to find a place that gives adequate attention, that has well-trained caregivers, affordable costs, emphasis on development, and a place with good health and safety precautions. In the next few paragraphs I will be discussing what to look for in a daycare, and an overview on my own opinions.
First you would need to find a daycare with a low ratio. The state of Colorado allows a 5:1 ratio, five children per one daycare provider. I would advise finding a daycare that has a lower ratio than this, especially for infants. This provides more time for the caregiver to spend on each child, giving them more personal interaction. Not only is it better to have a lower ratio, but also to have a smaller group of infants. Many caregivers sharing one room with many infants can sometimes cause distress and irritate small children. Also keep in mind that if a child has the same caregiver every time they attend daycare, it will be easier for them to adjust. The child can become more familiarized with a caregiver and establish a comfortable trust similar to what they have with their parents.
After finding out if the ratio is suitable, you can now focus on other aspects of the daycare, such as activities. You should look for a daycare that allows a child to explore his or her developmental skills, assisting the infant in exploring mind and social skills. How much interaction an infant has with a daycare provider is a good aspect to focus on. Looking for language exposure through games, songs, and conversations would be a good way to determine this. Another question to ask would be whether they get to go outside, and if so, how much time is spent outside, and what activities do they perform? Having a personal playground for the children and going on walks would not only give the child a chance to be in a new environment, but it also gives the caregiver a break. Being in the sun could be refreshing and relaxing to both child and caregiver. Once again, a lower ratio of children to caregivers can alleviate concerns of outdoor safety.
Be certain to visit each daycare thoroughly before signing your child up. Make sure the daycare and the daycare providers are up to code on cleanliness, and health topics. Another concern is whether the caregivers all have certification in early-childhood education and how long they have been working in a daycare setting. You could also address if they have children of their own, and what their views on raising children are. When enrolling a child in daycare you should always have a good feeling as to who is caring for them, and what environment they will be in.
Another item at hand to consider would be the cost. You want to find a childcare center that is affordable, yet a loving atmosphere for your child. A few daycare facilities base the monthly payment on the income of the parents. If you make less, they will charge you less without compromising the care for your child. You would also be able to check into a few state funded programs that would help pay for childcare, if you meet certain guidelines. From personal experience I know the cost of daycare is not cheap, but these are a few options that you could consider.
The main factor in searching for childcare is to make sure that you feel content with the environment your child will be in and the staff providing the care. I realized it is very important to search around when considering placing your child in the care of others. I have always believed that daycare facilities were all proper and caring for your child, but I found out that this is not always the case. Some daycare facilities are understaffed and overpriced. I would advise anyone looking for childcare to make sure they consider all of their options, and pick a daycare facility that they feel comfortable with.
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