When it comes to choosing forms of childcare, parents often struggle for the appropriate solution. After all, there are multiple options from which they can choose. There is a daycare, public pre-school, private babysitting, a sitter-in-name-of-child, or a nanny or au pair. Which of these would be the best option for your family?
First and foremost, when considering daycare centers, one must consider the needs of their child. Toddlers require special attention and care. They need to be given breaks, given food consistently and encouraged to go to school or daycare centers. Many toddler daycare centers employ individuals with children’s behavioral problems. Some daycare centers also have music or games that may distract the toddler from tantrums or other bad behavior.
Pre-school places and nurseries have a specific goal in mind – development. One goal should be to help the child attain basic communication skills and socialization. The second goal should be to teach important life skills. One way to achieve these goals is through the employment of playgroups.
According to childcare experts, playgroups work as a great substitution for traditional classrooms. Children get an opportunity to engage in different activities, interact with others, learn about various topics, and foster academic curiosity. By engaging in educational activities, children are allowed to progress through various development stages at their own pace. This can only be beneficial for the development of the child. As mentioned above, pre-school places and nurseries should utilize working tax credit hours for working mothers who want to continue working while caring for their children.
Parents should take note that different types of childcare provide different types of services. Full day care centers tend to hire qualified and experienced professionals. On the other hand, childminding centers tend to hire individuals who are amateurs or novice. As the name suggests, full-day care centers offer round-the-clock care and development services. Childminding centers provide services to families who want to have their children around for short periods of time (30 minutes or less).
Pre-school and day nurseries are two separate entities. Both share similar goals – development of the child; however, the services provided by one will differ from the other. Most childcare providers require parents to register for services through the Child Development Services Authority (CDSA), although there are other childcare providers who may prefer not to use CDSA certification.
Certified Nurses (CN) is the main workforce employed in the childcare sector. CNA training lasts two years at an institution where the student is trained in all aspects of nursing. Once trained, CNAs are allowed to work in any educational establishment, including day nurseries, preschools, hospitals, and more. A few organizations offer free training to aspiring CNAs, while others conduct on-the-job training programs.
Daycare and infant childcare refers to parents and carers who look after young children at specific times (morning, afternoon, evening, etc.) Some parents prefer baby sitting while the other provides supervision. There are many baby sitting agencies and parents can search online for agencies in their locality. Infant-toddler groups can also be found on the Internet. Toddler groups provide opportunities to parents and carers to socialize with other parents and children.
Daycare centers and infant daycare facilities are designed as per the age and developmental needs of children. A child can stay in one of these establishments for a day or a week depending on his/her requirements. Daycare providers are generally parents who work full-time and are able to devote certain hours each day towards taking care of small children. Infants who attend daycare services may be a few weeks old or even a few months old. As parents or carers of these children can spend time at home with the infant, many find that they provide opportunities to socialize with other family members.
Childminding refers to direct social services rendered by qualified childminders. In a childminding agency, children are cared for by a professionally trained social worker or a licensed nanny. The social services provided by a childminder are aimed at promoting family unity, increasing parent-child bonds, and enhancing the development of social skills among kids. In some instances, childminding agencies also include a licensed counselor who works with parents and guardians to identify specific developmental needs. Childminding agencies also conduct assessments to evaluate the success rate of childminding services and the needs of the various kids.
For those parents who need assistance in their daycare or preschooler but are short on cash, a nanny can come in handy. A nanny is a professional who offers companionship and childcare services to working parents. However, as compared to daycare providers, a nanny will not be paid directly by money but will be paid indirectly through commissions for her services. Some professional childminders and nannies even earn as much as two-thirds of the primary schools’ overall salary where they work. On top of this, nannies also receive a fixed amount from the primary schools for providing childcare services. Parents can choose between paying a fixed amount or commissions for hiring a nanny.