You know that you can never find a suitable replacement for the care and attention you give your child. Although it is hard to leave your child in a stranger’s care, you have to make that choice if you want to get back to your work.

If you know what to look for, finding a clean, Baby sitting well-maintained, sufficiently staffed Child Care Centre is not as difficult as you think it is. This articles covers the various important aspects and gives you valuable insights to help you ask the right questions before deciding on the right Centre for your child.

Although there are different options available for the working parent, the least expensive and most professional option is the Child Care Centre. All Centres need licensing and accreditation. They are strictly regulated by the government and are inspected regularly by the authorities to ensure adherence to the rules and regulations.

This is the first thing you need to check when you visit your local Day Care Centre. Ask for their license and accreditation papers. A licensed and accredited Centre will meet the minimum requirements for health, hygiene, and safety standards. Inquire about the qualifications and experience of the child care providers. Find out if the staff are trained in handling emergencies; are they familiar with rendering First Aid? Do they keep abreast of the latest developments in teaching methods?

A very important aspect of Day Care is the schedule of both indoor and outdoor activities for the children. Children develop emotional bonding and social interaction skills at a very early age and it is imperative that the child care provider is knowledgeable in educating and guiding the child. A sure way of finding out how the child minder interacts with the children is to spend a few hours at the Centre. Observe how the caregiver talks to the children. Is the caregiver approachable at all times? Are the children comfortable in airing their views? Do the children appear happy and cheerful?

Do not assume that the Day Care Centre would be hygienic. You need to check the nappy changing areas and see if they disinfect the table before and after each nappy change. Are the babies cleaned properly? Do the child care providers wash and disinfect their hands before and after the procedure?

Many Day Care Centres try to get by with the minimum number of staff and maximum number of children. Ideally each caregiver should only care for 4-6 children. Your child can be sure of personalized attention in Centres where there are lesser children under each caregiver. Try to find out the attrition rate. Your child will fare better if the child care providers are constant as it is difficult for the child to adjust to new faces all the time.

Before you decide on the Day Care Centre, you need to talk to the staff, the teachers, the management, the children, and if possible, some parents. This will give you a general idea of how the Centre is being run. You will need to find out how the child care providers are supervised and if they undergo regular performance appraisals.

Once you are confident enough to entrust your child to a Day Care Centre, you should continue with your involvement by visiting the Centre as and when possible and volunteering your services. It could be reading a story or teaching a song to the children. You could assist in field trips whenever possible. Make sure you always ask for a report of your child’s activities during the day or during the week when you pick up your kid. You should not miss any Parent-Child Care Provider meeting as it gives you a chance to learn about what’s happening in your child’s life while you are at work.

Keep in mind that the best Child Care Centre is one which has lots of space, sufficient well qualified and experienced staff, is stocked with many toys and educational equipment, and has a organized program of indoor and outdoor activities, including field trips. It should also emphasize on clean and hygienic practices to lower the risk of infections.