Choosing the right child care is very important, but can often be a tough decision.
Knowing the things to look out for when you are deciding on where to leave your child during the day can make the process a lot less daunting.
The Department of Health offers advice for choosing child care below:
Most importantly, child care should:
Protect children from harm and illness
Help children explore and learn about the world around them
Build social skills
Strengthen parent-child relationships. You may spend less time together, but the quality can be better.
When choosing the type of child care available it is good to know who can provide child care and what the rules are for each.
Child care providers:
Work in a home setting
Provide care for more than two hours at a time in exchange for pay or reward
May care for only one to three children at the same time
Child care providers must:
Comply with Children Act 1998
Be registered with the Department of Health
Comply with the conditions typed on their certificate of registration
Day care centres:
Operate in a setting that is exclusively for child care (i.e. not used as a home)
May care for four or more children
Have specific adult-to-child ratios for different age groups
Day care centres must:
Be licensed by the Department of Health
Comply with Children Act 1998
Comply with Day Care Centre Regulations 1999
Display their Department of Health License in the facility
To ensure that children are cared for in safe and appropriate environments it is important for child care providers and day care centres to be registered. Be an advocate and spread the word that registration benefits everyone by listing all of Bermuda's authorised child care providers.
It's also important to spend some time at the facility you are interested in and observe as well as ask questions. If you are told you cannot visit before you leave your child, do not use the facility.
Here's a useful checklist to have before deciding on a child care provider or day care:
Facility is safe, uncluttered, clean and bright.
Space is adequate for the number of children. (It is recommended that there is 50 square feet per child in the outdoor play area, 25 square feet per child in the indoor activity area and 2 feet clear walking space between sleeping children in the sleeping area.)
Play equipment is sturdy, safe, clean and in good repair.
There are adequate separate areas for play and rest.
There is enough staff.
Staff are actively supervising the children.
Staff seem to really enjoy working with children.
Activities are geared towards the interests and development of the children.
Hazardous materials such as medicines and cleaning supplies are locked away.
Questions you should ask of the facility:
Is the setting licensed or child care provider registered with the Department of Health?
Is the person in charge certified (ask to see certificate)?
Is the staff trained in child development?
Is the staff trained in CPR and First Aid?
What is the turnover of staff and children?
Can you visit whenever you wish (if not, be very cautious)?
What is the daily routine (e.g. naps and meals)?
Is there a written plan for play and learning activities (ask to see it)?
Are there regular opportunities for inside and outside play?
Will you be provided with information on what your child did every day and in what format?
Are children supervised at all times?
Is television viewing limited to short periods and child-appropriate programmes?
What policies are in place regarding discipline and sick children?
Do all the children have a place for their own belongings?
Does the care provider meet regularly with parents?
Once you have decided on a facility make sure to visit often and see how things are going. Talking to your child and the caregiver on a daily basis will help if anything unusual should come up. Being an active parent by volunteering time and attending meetings will also keep you in the loop.
To learn more about Child Care: Helping you Make the Right Choice, log on to the Department of Health website at www.health.gov.bm. For further information or if you have any questions or concerns about child care, contact the Environmental Health section of the Department of Health on 278-4976 or envhealth@gov.bm.
