What
should I ask when I first phone?
You may have just one person to phone or a very long
list of them. Your aim will be the same: to find if they can
provide the sort of care that your child deserves and that meets
your needs. The key points are:
- Tell them that Suffolk Families
Information Service has given you their number
- Explain what childcare you are looking
for. Include any information that is relevant, such as your need
for evening childcare or that you finish work at unpredictable
hours or that you are looking for long-term childcare
- If you want early education for your
child ask if they provide this
- Ask them if they have a vacancy to meet
your need.
If they have a suitable vacancy you need to check out the
quality and the cost of their service. Explain that you want ask a
few questions. Ask:
- If they are registered and inspected by
Ofsted
- What they charge per week to meet your
needs. They might charge per hour, per half-day, per day, per week,
per month or even per term. You will need to convert this to a
weekly charge to compare it with others
- About their experience and
qualifications and those of the rest of the staff if it's a group
setting
- If they can provide
free early educational sessions if your child is eligible for
them.
- What sort of things your child will do
while in their care
- If they can provide references
- If they can send you a prospectus
(though childminders and nannies will rarely have one)
Do first
impressions count?
After
checking that they can meet your needs, the most useful thing that
you are doing is finding out as much as you can by talking with
them, seeing what they are offering children and asking questions.
Good quality childcare providers will be happy for you to ask
questions and to see what they do. They will appear knowledgeable,
confident and -above all - welcoming. After speaking to them
considering the following:
- Are they enthusiastic and
will they offer a broad range of play and learning
experiences?
- Do you have confidence in their ability
to care for and relate to your child?
- Do you think that you and your child
will get on well with them?
It helps to talk through your first impressions with someone
else.