Things to consider when choosing childcare for your infant and toddler

Have you ever wondered how working parents make it work? Maybe most of us are about to head back to work after our maternity leave but you’re not sure how everything is going to fall into place. With mothers in the workforce, and 1 out of 4 children being looked after by someone other than a parent, quality childcare for infant and toddler has never been more important. But the fact that childcare is a huge household expense. It can cost us almost as much as our house, or a semester of college. Childcare costs keep climbing but our salary hasn’t, and this generation of parents is less financially stable and more indebted than the one that raised us.

Therefore, it leads to compromises. One parent quits his or her job because the return on investment isn’t there. Staying home to care for kids is indeed cheaper. Or both parents have to work, but can’t afford or access quality care, so they compromise and accept an unlicensed program.  Nevertheless, there are countless wonderful childcare centres but parents have to be willing to put the time and energy into the selection process. It is important to choose the right childcare because it is a stimulating and nurturing experience that enriches infant and toddler lives.

So Nanny, Grandparents and Childcare, Which Option is Best for Your Infant or Toddler?

The nanny.

Getting a nanny can be a big expense with the responsibilities of her training such as first air or CPR and also running a background check. But having a nanny make it easier where you can negotiate with her duties and helping you to stay on top of dishes, running errands and so on. However, a nanny might not be able to provide you caregiving supports that may be in the form of learning activities which benefit a child directly or indirectly through training a caregiving environment.

The grandparents.

By leaving your infant or toddler in the hand of grandparents help you cut down your cost. Although some parents pay a family member for childcare, it’s almost always at a reduced cost, making this a seriously affordable option. You get the comfort of knowing that a family member is caring for your little one, which makes it a lot easier to stay focused at work. However, when a family member, like your mother-in-law or sister, watches your child, things won’t always get done your way. 

The childcare.

The childcare is where your child soaks things up like a sponge through adopting and learning skills that carry them a lifetime. Nursery education sets the foundation for your child’s development in the later years. A childcare provides children with a strong routine and structure to their day, this means that they are aware of what is expected at certain times of the day. They often focuses on sensory learning and development which allows the toddler to enjoy lots of spontaneity and also mastering new skills of grasping, moving and exploring.

What are the Tips When Choosing Childcare for Your Infant and Toddlers?

Fortunately, you do have some say in how much you pay for childcare since there are multiple options available. But what things should you be looking out for or what if you have no experience with childcare it might feel like you’re picking one and hoping for the best, and that’s not a comfortable feeling?

Too many kids at the childcare.

This is the most important point that you should be looking out. In Malaysia, a childcare has licensing requirements but they should have what’s known as a ratio of children to caregivers. If there are more children than the caregiver can handle, it’s not a safe environment and the children are getting inadequate care. For example, you can look up the law for the childcare ratios, but ideally, the caregivers at the centre should be able to tell you the ratio without having to look it up in the regulations. If there seem to be too many toddlers running around free-range and the teachers are running around after them looking stressed and distracted, it’s time to ask about those ratios.

Outline your priority and ask the right questions.
Many parents select a childcare center without asking many questions, only to discover later that it is not a good match. Changing caregivers can cause emotional stress for a child, as well as a strain for the whole family. A better approach is to first determine your needs, both physical  such as hours and days and emotional which is important for your child’s development. When considering childcare centres, you should ask questions that focus on these priorities. 

Make sure your toddler’s development needs are being met.

Just as there are countless types of caregivers at the childcare, children are obviously different from one to the next, and what works for one child might not work for another. Parents should focus on the developmental stage and understand what their child needs from a caregiver during that stage. For example, the developmental needs of an infant are much different from a preschooler who may need someone who can run around all day or a childcare centre that knows how to keep children safe, while also nurturing their creativity and independence.

Understand the importance of quality childcare.

Childcare can have a direct effect on the cognitive, emotional, and physical lives of an infant or toddler, in the present as well for their long-term well-being. Good childcare centre doesn’t just keep children safe, warm, and well-fed but they also positively interact with and respond to children on an emotional level where they should be focusing on their emotional needs as much as their physical ones.

Nevertheless, childcare is a great source of letting your little one socialize with the outside world. It is important to let them develop their independence, as along with it they will develop a high level of security. There will always be one caregiver per every two infants or toddler under the age of two and apprentices to help. Interaction is one of the main reasons why you should send your child to childcare where they sleep together, eat together and engage with each other in many different ways. Last but not least, parents have to be willing to put the time and energy into the selection process and get ready with all of the tools possible to ensure that your infant or toddler are being cared for physically and emotionally.