Child Choices
Choosing childcare
Registration, annual inspections, and other independent accreditation schemes, are indicators that a provider is able to achieve minimum standards of safety and quality.
This does not mean that all providers are the same. It is important that you and your child are happy and that you have made the right choice for your child.
Try and give yourself enough time to visit several possible options in your area to get a good idea of what could suit your child. Don't forget you know your child best and trust your feelings.
- Ask to see the provider's registration certificate, insurance certificate, inspection report and written policy statements. You can obtain independent verification of all these details by contacting the Early Years Team
- Speak to other parent(s)/carer(s) and children using the service
- Tell us if you have been particularly pleased with a service that you and your child have received so that we can acknowledge this and support good practice
- Always report any concerns or complaints about a provider that you are unable to resolve to your complete satisfaction - particularly if they are child welfare or safety concerns, which are investigated and appropriate action taken
- Please note that the local authority has no power to take any action in disputes regarding payment, We strongly recommend to both providers and parent(s)/carer(s) that they each sign, and keep a copy of a contract which clearly states the financial arrangements (including holidays, sickness and notice by either party). Most providers will have a standard contract, make sure it covers your needs
Attending day care and separating can be daunting for both parent/carer and child. Attendance at a parent/carer and toddler group or family centre can provide an opportunity for you to watch and help as your child begins to develop relationships and feel confident with other children and different adults, while you get to meet other parent(s)/carer(s).
All day care settings should have a settling policy that encourages you not to leave your child until they are ready for you to go.
It can be a good idea to take your child with you to see how staff talk to him or her. Try to go when children are there so you can see if they are calm, happy and busy. Have ready a list of questions you may wish to ask, good childcare staff expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them.
Top Tips
- Always take up references, you could ask for names of other parents to talk to
- Listen to you child and find out more if he or she seems unhappy
- Always trust your own feelings about your childcare - you know your child best
- The Early Years Team are available to provide you with advice about your individual needs and take up any concerns that you may have
- For many children the experience of attending a day care provider can be unsettling, especially for those who have not been away from their parent or carer, for the parent/carer, leaving your child for the first time can be daunting, it will take sometime for you both to become accustom to this new arrangement, for a child it can be a rich and rewarding experience, a chance to meet children of their own age, from different backgrounds
Points to look for:
- If the day care required is longer than 2 hours, is the provider registered?
- Are the children calm, safe and happy?
- Do children play and talk together?
- Are the staff listening to children and answering them carefully?
- Are the staff friendly and proud of their work?
- Are the staff joining in with what the children are doing?
- Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play? Can children plan some of these themselves?
- Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for children to use?
- Are the premises clean, well-kept and safe for children with a fun outside play area (or will children go to parks and other places regularly)?
- Do parents(s)/carer(s) have plenty of chances to say what they want for their children?
- Are you welcome to pop in at any time?
The above information includes extracts from a series of leaflets produced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
In Barking and Dagenham the Early Years Team can also provide you with independent advice and help choosing day care, Telephone 020 8227 2338.
Contact
Christine Pryor
Head of Integrated Family Services
3rd Floor
Bridge House
150 London Road
Barking
IG11 8BB
Supported by Barking and Dagenham Direct:
Tel: 020 8215 3004
Fax: 020 8227 5184
Textphone: 020 8227 5755
Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.
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