Choosing the right child minder for your child is a very important decision and should not be taken lightly.
As child minders are not regulated, it is important that you take every step to make sure that your child minder will provide a safe and loving environment for your child. You must thoroughly investigate the child minder and their home.
Word of mouth is probably the best way to find a good child minder. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Once you have a list of potential child minders, arrange a visit during the day when children are present.
You’ll also want to have a written list of questions prepared ahead of time. Here are some suggestions to ask:
• What is the child minders prior experience with children?
• How many children are in the home each day and what are the age ranges?
• Can a parent drop in whenever they want?
• Does the child minder have a person to serve as a backup in case of an emergency?
• Will any other adults be present during the day, and if so, who are they?
• How does the child minder discipline?
• What activities are provided?
• What are the child minder’s schedules with the children?
• Are there pets in the home, and if so, what kind and are they separated from the children?
• Is the child minder flexible about drop off and pick up times?
• If the children leave the home, will there be other adult supervision (such as going to the park)?
• Is the child minder insured to mind children?
• If a vehicle is used, is insurance in place to cover the children and are safety seats available?
• What is the cost and what exactly does that cost cover?
While you are visiting, you also need to takes notes as it is easy to get the situation of one child minder mixed up with another. Here are some items to take notes on:
• What kind of person is the child minder? Is she warm and loving? Are you comfortable with her?
• Is the house clean? While an untidy house is usually alright, a dirty house should be avoided.
• Are the bathrooms clean and safe?
• Is the kitchen child friendly? (hazardous items are out of reach and safety features are installed)
• What types of toys and activities are present?
• Is the house equipped with safety items such as locks on gates, smoke alarms, and window locks?
• Is the area where children take naps relaxing and comfortable?
• Do the children there seem happy?
As child minders are not regulated, it is important that you take every step to make sure that your child minder will provide a safe and loving environment for your child. You must thoroughly investigate the child minder and their home.
Word of mouth is probably the best way to find a good child minder. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Once you have a list of potential child minders, arrange a visit during the day when children are present.
You’ll also want to have a written list of questions prepared ahead of time. Here are some suggestions to ask:
• What is the child minders prior experience with children?
• How many children are in the home each day and what are the age ranges?
• Can a parent drop in whenever they want?
• Does the child minder have a person to serve as a backup in case of an emergency?
• Will any other adults be present during the day, and if so, who are they?
• How does the child minder discipline?
• What activities are provided?
• What are the child minder’s schedules with the children?
• Are there pets in the home, and if so, what kind and are they separated from the children?
• Is the child minder flexible about drop off and pick up times?
• If the children leave the home, will there be other adult supervision (such as going to the park)?
• Is the child minder insured to mind children?
• If a vehicle is used, is insurance in place to cover the children and are safety seats available?
• What is the cost and what exactly does that cost cover?
While you are visiting, you also need to takes notes as it is easy to get the situation of one child minder mixed up with another. Here are some items to take notes on:
• What kind of person is the child minder? Is she warm and loving? Are you comfortable with her?
• Is the house clean? While an untidy house is usually alright, a dirty house should be avoided.
• Are the bathrooms clean and safe?
• Is the kitchen child friendly? (hazardous items are out of reach and safety features are installed)
• What types of toys and activities are present?
• Is the house equipped with safety items such as locks on gates, smoke alarms, and window locks?
• Is the area where children take naps relaxing and comfortable?
• Do the children there seem happy?
