- Check the operating hours of the services in your
area.
- Check your local services for the age group for which they
provide care.
- Most services will allow you to visit them so you can see what
is being provided.
Meals:
Are meals provided? If
they are then the menus must be displayed so you can see what is offered. Is the
service clean? Look at the kitchen and the children’s bathroom.
Staffing:
Notice how many staff are
supervising the children. All licensed services must meet minimum staffing
requirements for qualified staff and must meet supervision ratios but notice how
the staff are interacting with the children. Are they interacting with the
children or are they doing other duties? Listen and watch how the staff talk to
the children. Do they get down to the child’s height level and respond to the
child’s needs? Do they value the children’s efforts and build their self esteem?
Check the notice board at the service - you may find staff qualifications and
sometimes photographs of each staff member displayed there.
Numbers:
How many
children attend the centre? All licensed services must display their licence
that states the maximum number of child care places available. Services range in
size from 5 to 90 children and from a home environment to large child care
centres with many rooms. Will your child be comfortable in a group that size?
Think about the needs of your child and the size of the group that will best
suit his/her needs.
Health:
When children
first attend a child care service they are exposed to more infections than at
home. Good hygiene is most important in minimising the spread of infections. How
does the service manage sick children? Check the hygiene at the service. Look at
the nappy change area, the bathroom, the kitchen and where the children sleep.
Are you happy with the level of hygiene at the service?
Policies:
Early
childhood services must have policies and procedures to properly manage the
care, education and safety of the children attending the service. All policies
must include input from parents, staff and management. These policies will
include procedures for excursions, administration of medications, management of
accidents, food and nutrition to name a few. When you visit the service these
policies should be available for you to look at during your visit? Is
there a parent handbook for you to take with you to explain what is available at
the service? Ask the staff for assistance here.
Management:
Each
children’s service will have it’s own style of management. There are a range of
private and community based child care services available. Some community based
services are managed by a parent committee. Ask the staff about the how you may
be involved.
Cost:
How much will
you have to pay? Most services have a minimum daily fee. This is necessary to
maintain quality interactions for the children, including staffing levels and
equipment. Some services, such as occasional care are able to offer hourly
rates. Ask your local service for a fee schedule and information about
Commonwealth Child Care Benefit.
