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Day Care Germs An Unavoidable Pest

February 5th, 2012
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Germs are everywhere. And day care germs abound. They are too small to see but we know they are there. Children can spread germs without ever getting sick themselves. They can catch colds, ear infections, diarrhea and worse. More severe illnesses like chicken pox, impetigo and hepatitis are also spread by germs. Toys are a vehicle for day care germs, so are unwashed hands of a caregiver after diaper change or blowing a child’s runny nose. Runny noses don’t always mean a child is sick, but the child can also be carrying something right under your nose so to speak, and you won’t know it for several days until your symptoms start showing. So how can you cut back on day care germs and minimize your child’s sick days Every child gets sick eventually with the average cold, but chances of spreading it to the other day care children and the sick child’s family can be greatly reduced by following a few simple rules.

Always keep up to date with your child’s immunizations. Schools will not enroll children in kindergarten without the immunization records filled out by the family physician. The same requirements must be met for daycare enrollment as well. Keep copies of your child’s immunization records and have them ready to give to the daycare provider. You can request information on the other children enrolled in the daycare facility as well. All children enrolled in any daycare facility your child is going to should be immunized.

You should always have a backup plan for days when your child is sick and cannot attend daycare. Even if you suspect your child is catching something, he should be kept at home. The other daycare mothers will appreciate your compliance with this and they should follow suit. But there are times when some parents ignore the customary considerations surrounding children attending public environments and send their children off to daycare sick anyway.

Most of this information comes straight from the Day Care pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

At home, frequent hand washing can greatly reduce the chances of passing the illness on the rest of the family. As a general rule, washing your hands after coming in contact with your child is a good idea. One never knows if they are contagious with something and keeping your hands free of daycare germs, as well as any surfaces that the child may come in contact with, is good prevention. Door handles, eating utensils, toys, and plastic items such as beginner baby books should all be kept sanitized.

Toddlers should be taught right from the start to cover their mouth when they cough and proper toileting and cleanliness is a must. Stepstools in front of bathroom sinks enable children to wash their hands like big kids and colorful child-oriented soap dispensers add to the fun.

Children build immunities by being sick and then getting well. Daycare germs can speed up the process that would otherwise take place in the first years of school, even babies start building immunities by contact with other children. So a child who has never been in daycare and hasn’t been sick very much will be thrown in a preschool that abounds with germs and his immunities begin to build but at the expense of lost school days. So whether parents like it or not, daycare germs do have their place in a growing child’s life.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Day Care.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO

Day Care

What To Do If You Have Trouble Training Your Dog

January 31st, 2012
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This article explains a few things about Day Care, and if you’re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don’t know.

While most dogs are agreeable to learning basic rules of obedience if started at a young age, every once in a while a dog and a master just won’t be able to come together to find a successful training routine. This can be extremely frustrating for both parties involved. Fortunately, there are many outside sources that can help with this.

The most popular are “doggie daycare” or “doggie boot camps”, pet care programs very similar to child daycares. At a dog daycare, dogs are paired with trainers for an hour or two each day and taught basic obedience; sit, come, don’t bite the nice salesman. Once the dogs have mastered that, more advanced training is often available. The focus here is not entirely on training, however. Day cares for dogs are intended to provide a safe, happy place for a dog to go while their owner is at work, and they allow the animals plenty of play time, often complete with canine playground, as well as an in-depth grooming regimen daily; they will clip the dog’s nails, clean their ears and eyes, bathe them and trim their coats when it is needed. More in-depth grooming options may be available; however, this varies by facility.

Doggie boot camp is becoming increasingly popular as a way to deal with animals that have simply refused to be trained. A group of professional trainers will work with your dog daily, for several hours a day, teaching them to obey basic commands. Each facility’s methods of doing this are different; some use punishment based techniques, while others use rewards and positive reinforcement. This may be a boarding program, where your dog goes to a separate facility for a length of time, sleeping there, or it may be done as a day school, where the owner drops the dog off in the morning and picks them up in the afternoon. Some programs work with the owners as well; you and your dog will have a session with the trainer in which they will teach you to teach your dog to listen, and how to work together without being frustrated.

Canine boot camp can seem like a gift from the heavens, but owners should be careful. Beware of programs that claim to give you a perfectly trained animal within a matter of days; while a dog may be able to learn a trick or two in that time, it is unlikely the training will stick with them once they have returned home. Observation of their training techniques is important as well; while results are important, excessive force should not be used.

Regardless of which program you decide to use, investigate the facility and the staff carefully. Confirm the credentials of the staff, and that they have been trained to handle any emergencies that may arise while your dog is in their care. Be sure that the facility is clean, of adequate size and does not possess any features which may be hazardous to the dogs. Each dog should have its separate space, with plenty of time allotted for feeding and rest, and an isolation area should be available for any animal who becomes uncontrollable.

Information on these programs can be obtained online, through your veterinarian, and through the SPCA.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Day Care, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Is there really any information about Day Care that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his soon to be top ranked Perpetual20 training site: Perpetual 20

Day Care

Day Care Safety

January 24th, 2012
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Accidents happen, it?s a fact of life, but when it happens to your child it can be devastating. That?s why prevention is still the best cure. Being aware of the day care safety precautions at your facility can help set your mind at ease when it comes time to leave your child. Making sure that some of the standards and safety precautions set by the licensing boards are met is basic but there are also additional questions you may want to ask.

Daycare facilities have come under much scrutiny; the McMartin preschool trial in the late 1980?s put all parents on alert. It also brought to light that closer watch need be kept on our children in these environments. Employee background checks, surveillance cameras (hidden and not hidden) and monitoring devices are now the modus operandi of daycare facilities. These precautions help protect the daycare provider as well as the parent. But some basic day care safety items should still be verified by you, the parent, before leaving your child at any facility.

Are all the licenses up to date Have the current employees been checked out with background checks A thorough background check will include any past felony and misdemeanor convictions, including DUI, and also will check the state?s Sex Offender Registry. Make sure this has been done on all employees who come in contact with your child.

Is there a sign in sheet or another form of verification for picking up and dropping off your child Upon registering your child you would have been given a sheet to fill out which included a list of who is permitted to take your child from daycare. As an extra precaution, a special code word, that only you and your child knows, should be put into play. When someone other than yourself or a designated individual comes to pick up your child in the case of an emergency, your child would ask them the code word. This can help put your child at ease if you are unable to speak with him.

The more authentic information about Day Care you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Day Care expert. Read on for even more Day Care facts that you can share.

On a more physical level, take a look around the facility. You will want to make sure that all stairs and elevated surfaces are guarded, equipment such as jungle gyms has the falling surface area protected, and windows are protected.

Within the main rooms, especially if this is a family in-home provider, check for small spaces where a child can get trapped. Check for tripping hazards, sharp corners on furniture, splinters and sharp or rusty nails, electrical outlets that are not covered. The same safety precautions you take in your own home should be exercised at the facility.

The environment in general should be free of debris, small items that can be choking hazards, worn carpets or surfaces needing repair. Safety gates should be used where needed, window blind cords tied up or nonexistent, lists of recalled toys should be consulted and those toys removed.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission?s national study done in 1998 was conducted statewide in 220 licensed child care facilities. Two thirds of the facilities tested violated at least one safety hazard of the study. In 1997, nearly 31,000 children under the age of four were admitted to U.S.hospital emergency rooms for injuries resulting from accidents at schools and child care environments. By following just a few precautions, every parent can do their part to see that their child never become this type of statistic.

You can’t predict when knowing something extra about Day Care will come in handy. If you learned anything new about Day Care in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his Perpetual20 training site for great bonuses: Perpetual20

Day Care

Why Is Day Care Licensure Important?

January 12th, 2012
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Day care licensure is a means by which the government, on a city, county, state and national level, may regulate the standards of care provided by a facility by establishing set guidelines which must be adhered to. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, and may be obtained from an Office of Child Care Licensing. These requirements apply to all facilities caring for more than seven children for a period of time longer than three hours, and guidelines apply to all areas of child care.

While having completed licensure requirements does not guarantee that a facility is the right one for an individual child, it does guarantee that at the very least a child’s minimum needs are being met. The guidelines established in the requirements for obtaining a license outline cover all aspects of child care. Directors and teachers are required to have completed a specified amount of secondary education in child development or education, giving them a deeper understanding of the child psyche and a better ability to troubleshoot when problems arise. Teacher’s aides are required to be completing coursework in these same fields. All staff are required to have their fingerprints on file, and the director should keep a current, up-to-date file on each employee, complete with a background check.

A reasonable staff to child ratio is outlined, with specifics given for personal attention for infants and toddlers. Directions for feeding, napping, diaper changes and playtime are outlined, as well as for age appropriate equipment and supplies. All educators are required to be familiar with each child’s file, and able to meet any special needs a child may possess, whether medical or otherwise. Guidelines are given for children in wheelchairs, or with other disabilities. A minimum level of care is outlined, with directions given for feeding, activities, and assistance.

Prior to licensure, a facility must be inspected and found to meet specified fire and safety requirements, and fire drills must be done once a month to ensure that all children and staff are familiar with procedures in the event of an emergency. A staff member trained in CPR and first aid should be present on the grounds any time children are present, and must accompany all groups on trips off the grounds.

Proper equipment, such as high chairs and cribs, must be provided for infants and conform to current safety standards. Procedures are given and must be followed for any cases of suspected neglect and abuse.

Licensed facilities are required to renew their license at the end of as set period of time, as well as submit to regular inspections. Failure to meet any licensure guidelines may result in a facility being fined and/or having its license revoked or suspended.

The consequences of poor care in daycare centers are widely documented. Children suffering from abuse at the hands of poorly trained staff members. An excessive number of students per staff member resulting in a lack of personal attention, which may lead to discipline problems and unreasonable demands for attention later in life, as well as a higher incidence of injury from children being poorly supervised. Licensure guidelines are intended to prevent these problems from arising, thereby ensuring that children in daycare facilities have a healthy, safe environment in which to grow and learn. A list of licensed day care facilities may be obtained from any social services department.

The information about Day Care presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Day Care or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

When word gets around about your command of Day Care facts, others who need to know about Day Care will start to actively seek you out.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his Perpetual20 training site for great bonuses: Perpetual20

Day Care

What Extra Training Is Necessary To Become A Licensed Day Care Provider?

January 2nd, 2012
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When you think about Day Care, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Day Care are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

The best time to learn about Day Care is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Day Care experience while it’s still free.

It is common knowledge that being a good day care provider requires a tremendous amount of patience, love, endurance, tenacity, an easy nature and a genuine love of children. Unfortunately, these traits are not always sufficient preparation for the conflicts and controversies that may arise from being responsible for a diverse group of infants, toddlers and preschoolers on a daily basis. Because of this, state licensing boards require that day care directors and teachers complete a minimum amount of extra training prior to being licensed.

All day care providers are required to obtain and maintain a national certification in first aid and safety, as well as pediatric CPR and rescue breathing. This is very important, especially for in-home caregivers who live a great distance from the hospital and may not always be able to be quickly reached by an ambulance. Their ability to react swiftly to emergency situations in this case may decide if the child lives or dies. Training for this certification can be obtained by individuals through the Red Cross. Class schedules are posted on their website. If the Red Cross is not a feasible option, a local hospital or fire department should be able to recommend another route and possibly even share the details of when and where classes will be. Some groups will allow those individuals attempting to obtain training for employment purposes to join in their company certification classes, although the individual will be responsible for their own course fees in such an event.

A minimum level of secondary education in child development, psychology or education is often required as well, the exact level of which being dependent on the position an individual holds and their prior programmatic experience. A day care provider should be able to deal with all situations that arise with their students. Unfortunately, students cannot be classified as good or bad and left to their own devices. If a child is having difficulty learning or is displaying less than savory behavior patterns a good day care teacher must then become a detective, using their training in child development, psychology and education to deduce the reason behind the problem and the most effective solution Most colleges and universities will offer both individual classes and degree programs in these subjects, and will offer financial aid to qualified applicants attempting to complete a degree program.

Even after a license for a day care has been obtained, a provider’s training is not finished. All licensed day care providers must complete an established amount of continuing education credits annually to maintain their licensure. Continuing education credits are required for a professional to keep abreast on current developments and keep their knowledge up to date and in the forefront of their mind. These can be obtained through classes, meetings, activities and seminars. A list of approved continuing education activities can be obtained from employers or through the licensing agency itself.

Being a daycare provider is a challenging job, without any of the absolutes that can be found in many other fields. The required training to obtain a license will allow an individual to travel to and remain at the top in their profession.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his Perpetual20 training site for great bonuses: Perpetual20

Day Care

Childcare Tips for the Mother-to-Be

December 31st, 2011
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So what is Day Care really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about Day Care–info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

The search for childcare ideally should begin when you discover your due date. This gives you plenty of time to research your childcare options. Depending on the type of childcare you choose, there are several items of importance to consider before selecting a provider. Are you going to need in-home care in which a single caregiver comes to your home If this is the type of care you need, be aware that many of these providers are not licensed nor are they required to be licensed. In this case it is especially important to get references from previous employers for at least 5 years. Ask for names and phone numbers; don?t hesitate to call the parents who have used their services. If the provider refuses or is unable to provide this information for you, move on. In-home caregivers may be left alone with your child, they may be unlicensed and are often costlier than other types of childcare; caution should be exercised when choosing this type of childcare.

Another option is family childcare, which is a more casual environment with a limited amount of children enrolled, and is usually less expensive than day care centers. This type of childcare requires you to drop off and pick up your child at the person?s home. Often there are charges made if you are late in picking up your child; the caregiver is more like a nine-to-five business and may strictly enforce this rule. These types of childcare providers should be licensed, and the type of care provided is left up to the individual so again, references from other parents are crucial.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and Day Care experts is time. If you’ll invest a little more time in reading, you’ll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to Day Care.

Still another option is a day care center, which must be licensed. Your child will be among more children, receiving less individualized care than the previous two types of childcare mentioned. However, there are many benefits to this type longer hours of operation, less stringent rules on pick up and drop off times, and more activities with more children to interact with. The down side may be the more children your child is exposed to the more chance of illness and other problems resulting from interacting with many young children at once.

Before you have your baby is the best time for you to visit your prospective childcare providers. Take along a notepad with you; make notes of any positive or negative items you will want to check into later. Checklists provided by several websites can be printed out, using your notes for comparison. If you are going to be returning to work after maternity leave, having several providers lined up will make your intro back to work less stressful. If you are working out of your home, or work part time, it is still beneficial to have a childcare provider on call for emergencies. This would be a drop-in provider who can be called at the last minute and basically is an on-call provider. Having a drop-in childcare option will also afford you some time to get back into the routine post-baby. Even a few hours a week can give you time to do the grocery shopping, keep doctor?s appointments, have lunch with a friend or just get out of the house for an hour.

Don’t limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about Day Care. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what’s important.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, now offering the host then profit baby plan for only $1 over at Host Then Profit

Day Care

What Is Institutional Day Care?

December 27th, 2011
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If you have even a passing interest in the topic of Day Care, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of Day Care.

If a child has to enter a child care program at a young age, choosing the correct one can be as important to their future as the correct college. The consequences of a child having a poor early childhood experience are widely documented, with children displaying behavioral problems, increased insecurity and separation anxiety and excessive demands for attention into the grade school years. In light of this, many parents often feel overwhelmed in the face of the sheer number of day care options available. Each child thrives in a different environment; however, with a little research and the occasional trial and error, it is possible to for a parent to discover the best choice for their child.

The best time to learn about Day Care is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Day Care experience while it’s still free.

Institutional child care is becoming more and more popular in the United States. Many institutions will begin accepting children as early as six weeks of age, and often continue to offer care up through the school years. Cost wise, this option is usually somewhere in the middle between in-home day care and private care, with prices varying according to age and the number of days a child is expected to be present. Most facilities will charge on a weekly basis, and parents are expected to pay for the full week regardless of the number of days their child is actually present.

Children in day care institutions are grouped into classes according to age, with each age group having its own classroom with one or two teachers. Staff to child ratios vary according to institution; however, as most are required to be licensed they should not exceed the guidelines set forth in the state licensing agreement. Care often begins several hours prior to school hours, allowing for children to be dropped off as parents go into work, and continues for several hours after dismissal. They are fed breakfast and lunch, and are given rest time in the afternoons. Age appropriate group activities are scheduled throughout the day, with time allowed for independent play, and holiday activities and field trips are common. All children are taught basic skills, such as self feeding and potty training, and those that are of preschool age are taught to write their names, identify colors, shapes and letters, and count.

The advantages of choosing an institution are the chance for a child to acclimate to a classroom environment prior to entering school and reliable care; barring an emergency parents should never find themselves without a caregiver during regular hours of operation. Most teachers and teacher’s aides have training in child development and psychology, as well as childhood education, from a secondary school, and are trained to respond to medical emergencies. There are disadvantages as well. Due to the larger class sizes children often do not receive an appropriate amount of individual attention, particularly those children that are less boisterous. This is the stepping stone to many of the behavioral problems touted as these children learn to emulate the less desirable actions of their peers, whom they see the teachers working with time and again.

Any good child care facility will allow parents to come in and observe prior to placing their child, and will often allow parents to accompany the child for the first few days. This will give the parents a chance to get a feel for how their child will acclimate to the environment, and remove them if a situation seems inappropriate.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, now offering the host then profit baby plan for only $1 over at Host Then Profit

Day Care

What Child Care Options are Available in Phoenix?

December 21st, 2011
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Are you looking for some inside information on Day Care? Here’s an up-to-date report from Day Care experts who should know.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Day Care than you may have first thought.

Phoenix, AZ boasts a large, diverse population, and it strives to meet the needs of that population. A need in any area is care for the children, particularly during working times when both parents are unavailable. Because of this, Phoenix child care options are as diverse as its people.

Child care is available for all ages, from six weeks of age on up. Parents have a variety of choices. One is to place their child in a traditional child care institutional setting. Here qualified teachers will care for their children in an age appropriate setting, with a reasonable staff to child ratio. Such facilities maintain a classroom setting and structured daily schedule very close to what the child will encounter when entering Kindergarten.

An institutional style pre-school is also available, solely for children of preschool age (three and four year olds). There are two types, traditional and Montessori. In a traditional setting, the focus is on preparing the child to enter school, and the situation is very much like Kindergarten will be. The children follow a schedule, and begin basic work on pre-reading and math skills. Much of this is done in a manner similar to that of a classroom, with much of the learning done on paper, and generally one or two adults to fourteen or fifteen children.

Montessori schools are a bit different. Classes are generally smaller in size, and the focus shifts a bit from the norm to a more hands-on approach; children learn school skills in much the same way they learned in their toddler years. Classrooms are divided into activity areas, and the children move in small groups from center to center completing small tasks. For example, children learn to count and add not by looking at numbers on paper, but by being given a bowl of beans and spooning them from one cup to another as they count. Felt boards or letter peg games are used to teach spelling, and generally there are plants and/or animals in the rooms to teach the children how other species live and grow.

For those who don’t choose to place their children in an institutional setting, several in-home daycares are available. These are people who have elected to open their homes to children, making them part of their daily life and placing them in a setting very close to what they would have in their own home. Costs for these daycares are often lower than those of institutions, and there are often a fewer number of children present; however, unless they specify otherwise, one person is usually responsible for a large range in age, from infant on up. These will often offer before and after school care as well.

Should a parent prefer to have their child(ren) cared for in their own home, they are given the option of either hiring a nanny (think Mary Poppins) or an au pair. A nanny may be hired either independently or through an agency, and may live in the home or commute from their own home daily. They are, in essence, a contracted baby-sitter, and costs for these are usually higher than an institution. An au pair is a student, generally from another country, who comes to live with a host family while attending school. They are given room and board and a small allowance in exchange for a set number of hours of childcare a week, as well as assistance with housework and other chores. In home care is more expensive than out of home; however, the benefits to the child are innumerable.

About the Author
Monica Flower likes to take courses about floral arrangements. Discover the secrets of flower arrangements by visiting www.flower-arranging-courses.net, a blog about top flower arranging courses and best flower arranging classes.

Day Care

Should You Take Your Dog On Vacation?

December 19th, 2011
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So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Day Care. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Crisp mountain air, wide open fields, and clear crystal lakes all present a fantastic vacation picture for man and his dog. The opportunities for bonding over fresh fish are difficult for the dog lover and nature enthusiast to pass up. Unfortunately, not all vacations are as canine friendly as this one. The image of that same dog that would have so happily loped across the beach confined to a hotel room in New York City or in a car for three days on a coast to coast road trip is not nearly as appealing. If you are planning on taking a vacation in a spot that would be unsuitable for your pet, it may be wise to consider boarding them while you are away.

Hundreds of boarding kennels are in operation across the country. The staff at these facilities have made an occupation out of their love for animals and would be happy to provide a temporary home for your canine companion. Anywhere from ten to one hundred dogs may be in residence at any given point in time, depending on the size of the facility, and costs vary by location. The kennel will provide feeding dishes, bedding, toys and a place to sleep for the duration of your pet’s stay. As with many child care facilities, dogs are often asked not to bring their personal possessions with them in order to avoid the eventuality of them being stolen or damaged. All grooming equipment and supplies will also be provided..

The daily routine of a boarding kennel will include feeding on a regular schedule (if your dog has specific nutritional needs this should be discussed with the director prior to placing your dog), grooming services, including but not limited to shampooing, nail clipping, and cleaning of eyes and ears, and scheduled and unscheduled rest times for the dogs, as needed. Plenty of play time is provided, with one on one time with the staff, independent play and group activities with the other pets in residence. Some kennels may provide time with a trainer as well; however, this is not guaranteed and should be discussed with the program director.

A good kennel should have a vet on call at all times, as well as trained staff to deal with any emergencies. When selecting a kennel, be sure to thoroughly check out the facilities firsthand. The animals should have plenty of personal sleeping space in an area where they are protected from the elements, as well as room to play inside and out. The grounds should be free of litter and waste, as well as any potential dangers to the dogs. This should include poisonous plants, sharp objects, or any electrical hazards.

Your local veterinarian should be able to assist you in finding a high quality boarding kennel in your area, or you can contact the American Boarding Kennels Association. Once you have located a good boarding facility you can enjoy your vacation, secure in the knowledge that your pet is being well cared for.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his soon to be top ranked Perpetual20 training site: Perpetual 20

Day Care

Finding a Five Star Daycare Provider

December 16th, 2011
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Years ago, simply asking a friend who ?sat? for them was as easy as picking up the phone. Or you might find an advertisement in the local newspaper. But with daycare centers springing up like daisies, the choices are far and wide. But finding the right day care provider to suit you need not be an insurmountable task. References from friends are still a great way to locate one that has been proven to be reputable. The internet is also a great resource, there are web sites posted by entrepreneurial daycare providers which will have information on their qualifications and licensing, etc. Local newspaper classifieds will have ads run by smaller family type childcare providers, and your local chapter of CCR&R (Child Care Resource and Referral) is a free service that provides counselors you can speak with who will assist you in locating a childcare provider, based on your zip code.

After you determine what type of daycare you need, be it in-home, drop-in or full time daycare center supervision, there are several guidelines to follow. A checklist should include the following information, as well as obtaining references and visiting the facility.

Does the provider or center have enough supervision; are the children supervised even when they are sleeping How many caregivers are there at all times (For babies, there should ideally be a two to one ratio.) Are the providers trained in first aid and rescue breathing Are the children within a caregiver?s sight when they are with another caregiver Have the caregivers had background checks

Is the director and teachers qualified to run a daycare facility with bachelor?s degrees in a child related field Has the staff worked in child care for at least one year (for teachers) or longer (two years for directors) Is the licensing up to date Does the staff show a genuine love for children or is this just a job

It’s really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of Day Care. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.

Is there a common bathroom available for older children to use to wash their hands, before and after toileting and before meals Are the diapering areas clean and the diapers disposed of in a proper manner Are the other children kept up to date on their immunizations and are these records available as proof Are toxic materials locked away and poison information posted Are medications kept safely out of reach of children

There should be an emergency plan in place if a child gets hurt or lost; is there a first aid kit on the premises Do they practice fire drills and is there a program in place for disasters such as earthquake and tornado

Lastly, are the playgrounds and play areas kept clean and in good repair Is the sandbox clean, the playground surrounded by a fence Are the toys age-appropriate

This list may seem excessive at first, but a visit to the daycare center or family home can give you a quick overview of the surroundings, and the general questions you would ask would not make you the first parent to inquire of such. A concerned parent does whatever is necessary to ensure the safety and well being of their child, even if it means giving the daycare provider what seems like the third degree.

So now you know a little bit about Day Care. Even if you don’t know everything, you’ve done something worthwhile: you’ve expanded your knowledge.

About the Author
Monica Flower likes to take courses about floral arrangements. Discover the secrets of flower arrangements by visiting www.flower-arranging-courses.net, a blog about top flower arranging courses and best flower arranging classes.

Day Care