FIVE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFETY TO ASK YOUR CHILDCARE PROVIDER
Parents are naturally protective of their children and would love to keep their children as close to them as possible around the clock. But this is not always possible. For those parents who need someone to care for their children for part of the day, a licensed child care provider is the best option.
Before choosing a childcare provider, you should visit the school and speak to the administrator. Some important questions to ask are:
What is their teacher-child ratio?
The childcare provider should have a low teacher-child ratio, ideally, 1:3, especially for very young children. If the children are a little older, it could go up to 1:5. This is important because, as any parent knows, small children need to be constantly supervised. If the caregiver has too many children under his/her care, they may not be able to provide adequate care for all the children.
Are they licensed?
It is important to check if the child care provider is licensed. If they are, you can rest assured that they follow protocols, have trained staff, and that all the staff who work there have been vetted. It is a safe place to leave your child.
How would they ensure your child’s safety?
Take a look around the classrooms, the play areas, and the playgrounds. Play areas should be cushioned or sanded to ensure that children don’t get hurt when they fall. The areas that the children frequent should be clean and neat, and no harmful substances should be present within reach of the children.
Also Read: Advantages of A Child Care Provider For Your Little One
What are their security protocols?
If your childcare center has a video surveillance system, it can help keep children safe and provide parents with peace of mind. Some childcare providers even offer a phone app through which parents can check on their children.
What are the hygienic protocols the child care provider follows?
The child care provider should have proper cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting policies and practices in place to prevent the transmission of illness, especially in these pandemic times.
If you are looking for a child care provider in San Jose, you should shortlist the ones closest to you and check them out.
- Jul 22, 2021