Choosing a childcare centre can be as easy as just locating a childcare centre that is convenient for you and your spouse to pick up after work. Does it worth going through a couple of childcare centres before deciding? The answer depends on yourself, but here are some of our thoughts.
In choosing the appropriate childcare arrangement, the age and personality of your child are important factors for consideration. As a general rule, children below 3 years old benefit the most from one-to-one interaction with adults. When the child gets older and ready for peer interaction, group care such as that provided by childcare centres can provide socialising opportunities.
What childcare centre provide?
Childcare centres provide full day and half-day care programmes. Some centres offer flexible childcare programmes to cater for the diverse work requirements of parents.
Most centres admit children from 18 months onwards, while some also provide infant care to children aged two months to 18 months. A centre’s programme is aimed at educating and developing pre-school children through effective early childhood education.
Childcare centres are licensed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports under the Child Care Centres Act (Cap.37A) and Regulations. Centres are required to meet basic standards of health care, safety precautions, food quality and security measures. They also provide activities to stimulate a child’s mental, physical and social development. Supervisors ad teachers of childcare centres are required to undergo childcare and first aid training.
Here are some steps in choosing a childcare centre:
Step 1 : Locate childcare centres convenient for you
Shortlist a number of childcare centres that are most convenient for you. You can obtain information here.
Step 2 : Obtain information on the childcare centres
After you have shortlisted a few centres, contact the centres to get more information. Take note of these areas:
a. Philosophy of childcare centre. Centres should have a philosophy that clearly reflects their policies, aims, values and beliefs on children’s development, care and education. It is important that you agree with it. Talk to the director and teachers to find out more on this.
b. Information on operations. Below are basic information that you should have obtain about the operations of the childcare centre:
- Age range of children
- Operating hours
- Availability of enrolment spaces
- Fee structure/Mode of payment
- Eligibility for government childcare subsidy
- Notice period for withdrawal
- Availability of trial period
- Programme/Curriculum approach
- Centre-parent partnership
c. The staff. Qualification and experience of the staff is important as they are your child main point of contact. The staff should not only supervise and instruct the children, but teach and nurture them.
d. The curriculum. A good curriculum will enhanced your child’s play and learning.
e. Centre-parent partnership. Communication and cooperation between the centre and parents is vital to enhance your child’s development and well-being.
f. Meals and snacks. The meals and snacks served should comprise breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. The centre should prvide a wide variety of nutritionally balanced food that is high in protein, carbohydrate and dietary fibre but low in fats and sugar. If your child has special dietary requirements, do speak to the centre.
g. Illness and emergency arrangements. Find out the centre’s arrangements in cases of emergency and when your child falls ill.
Step 3 : Visit the childcare centre
Once you have selected the centre that meets your requirement, arrange an interview with the supervisor and visit the centre with your child. Observe how the staff interacts with your child and your child’s reactions.
While at the centre, look around the environment. The overall atmosphere at the centre should be relaxed and conducive to promote learning and healthy development. The centre tenure also plays a part. A 24-month license indicates a centre with a high standard of care while a 12-month license is issued for meeting the minimum standard.
We hope the above 3 steps will help you find a childcare centre of your choice.
About Keith
Thanks for sharing such an important information.child is very crucial not only for parents but also for nation.
Sunflower little champs is also Co-operate in this field.
Visit us on:
child care centre in singapore