How do I find childcare
that meets my needs?
First ask yourself 'what are my
needs?' Write down:
- When you need to leave for work and when you get home.
- If you want childcare near your home, or your child's intended
school, or if you want it near where you work or study.
- What sort of person you want to look after your child - what
you expect them to be like and what you want out of them.
- What sort of place you want them to be in - your own home,
someone else's home, in a school or other shared building or a
purpose-built building.
- And if your child is old enough ask her or his
opinion.
What do I look
for?
Then find out what sort of childcare might meet your needs and
wishes.
Click here for a list of the types of childcare you could
choose from. Ask yourself:
- Which meets my needs most closely?
- Which would meet the particular needs of my child?
- Which do I feel most comfortable about?
What are the key ingredients of
good childcare?
No matter what type of childcare you consider, look for these four
basic ingredients:
- a safe, protective environment;
- the opportunity for your child to form stable relationships
with caring adults and other children;
- adequate stimulation that is appropriate to your child's age;
and
- an enjoyable experience for you child.
How do I find
childcare?
Once you have narrowed your search down to one or two types of
provider find out if there are any in your area. Or you can search
for childcare on line now at
www.childcarelink.gov.uk
Or alternatively call the Suffolk Families Information
Service on 0845 60 800 33 and talk to one of our
operators. They will give you free independent advice.
How should I contact a
childcare provider?
Once you have contact details of some childcare providers give them
a call. Sounds simple - but this can be the hardest bit for some
parents:
- How do I introduce myself?
- What do I ask them?
- Is it OK to talk about money?
- How can I tell if I can trust them?
These questions concern most parents and the best advice is to
be prepared. Have
a
list of questions to ask the childcare provider beside you when
you make the first phone call. The most important thing to do is to
arrange to visit the childcare provider.
How do I arrange to visit a
childcare provider?
Once you have contacted a few childcare providers arrange to
visit two or three that you like best.
The most important thing is to take your child with you. You are
going to trust someone with your child's well-being and you need to
know what they are like, if they measure up to your standards and
if you can see your child being happy with them.
It is only by visiting and comparing different providers that you
will be able to make a good choice.
What if they don't want
me to visit?
Any suitable childcare provider will
expect you to check them out. Avoid childcare providers that don't
seem keen for you to visit, and tell the Suffolk Families
Information Service so we can find out why 0845 60 800
33.