11 Tips about Why Is Child Care Important

The challenges to working parents about childcare cannot be played down. From the time of conception, planning for child care is Important. People do not plan to fail but they fail to plan. Walk through these 11 important tips. Your bundle of joy will remain a bundle of joy and not a burden for stress.

Childcare Can Be Joyful and Stressful

Stressful for many parents? Certainly! After all, you are leaving the most precious person in your life in the hands of a stranger. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It can be joyful if you have thought through the process well. Childcare can be a special place that nurtures and enhances the development of children. It can be an environment for learning, development and growth through play and socialisation with others. A home away from home, so picking the right childcare service forms an important part of parents lives.

Childcare Is Important: 11 Tips to Select the Right Childcare Centre

Before you begin your search for the right childcare centre, ask yourself why you are looking for care in the first place. This will help guide you to the right type of service. Here are 10 tips for what to consider when choosing the right centre for your child.

Tip 1. Determine the Type of Childcare Service You are Looking For

There are many types of childcare services to choose from. Before you begin your search, it’s important to decide on the type of care that is suitable to your family needs.

Tip 2. Type of Education and Philosophy

Childcare offers not only care for kids, but quality early learning programs and education with many offering a specific education philosophy such as Montessori or Reggio Emilia inspired programs. Whichever it is, consider what is right for your child and your family and more specifically, does the centres’ philosophy align with your parenting beliefs?

Tip 3. Location of the Childcare Centre

With ever demanding work and life schedules, consider the location of the childcare centre that is convenient for you. Is the centre close to home or work? How does this affect your morning or afternoon routine? Will you be able to get to the centre in time to pick up your child? It is important to consider this as many services charge hefty penalties for late pick-ups.

Tip 4. Childcare Costs

Childcare costs can take a big portion of household expendable income, so it is no surprise that careful consideration of the costs is needed. Costs can vary significantly between services and locations. Lowest fee isn’t always the cheapest, nor is the most expensive always the best. You have to balance the fee for the service the childcare centre delivers and if you are happy with the centre overall.

Tip 5. Flexibility

As busy parents, flexibility is key. Not only to accommodate work schedules (permanent, casual or shift work) but also unexpected personal commitments. It’s worthwhile considering if the childcare centre allows flexibility with the days of care that you have booked for your child.

Tip 6. Licencing and Registration

Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) stipulates that childcare services must be registered. We strongly recommend you only use a licenced and registered childcare service. You can check if the centre is registered on www.jkm.gov.my

Tip 7. Cleanliness

It may seem like it’s simple and straightforward, but cleanliness can play an important part in choosing the right childcare centre.  Is it clean and fresh or dirty, tired and run down? What are the hygiene procedures like? Are the staff nicely groomed and well presented?

Tip 8. Food, Nutrition and Meal Options

It’s important that the childcare centre provides a healthy, well-balanced and nutritious food menu for your children. We suggest that you get a few sample menus from the centre and make sure you are happy with the meal options provided. Kids can be fussy eaters, so check what flexibility the centre has in relation to this. If your child has special dietary requirements, be sure to let the centre know well in advance and ask how they will cater for your child’s needs.

Tip 9. Friendliness, Professionalism & Communication

Leaving your child in someone else’s care can be nerve-wracking and you may want to know exactly what your child is doing throughout the day. From feeding times, to education and play, keeping abreast with your child’s development is important, so consider how the centre communicates this with you. How friendly and professional are the staff? At the end of the day, they will be caring for your child, so you need to make sure that you are comfortable with them. We have met some amazing staff that are kind, warm, welcoming, open and honest, who essentially become part of the family, so be sure to meet the educators at the childcare centre.

Tip 10. Facilities

Childcare centres have come a long way over the last decade with some incredible facilities opening. From architecturally designed buildings, rooms and play areas, to play equipment that makes the inner child in us want to come out and play.

Tip 11. Trust Your Instinct

Ultimately trust your gut feeling. It doesn’t matter how amazing the centre is or how great the staff are, or if they have availabilities or the cost is low. Trust your instinct, and if your gut tells you to keep looking, then do just that.

Do your research. Check out a number of childcare centres before making your final decision. Go online, compare the centres, call them and speak with a director. Read parent reviews and shortlist a few that you are interested in and physically visit them. Some may even let you have a trial period.

Please visit this link for more insights:

17 Tips on What to Look For When Choosing a Childcare Centre

Conclusion on the Importance of Childcare

Should you still have any doubts about selecting a good registered Childcare Centre check out PDB  YouTube here:

Hope these tips have benefited you.

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