Top tips for choosing childcare
After recently returning back to work after Maternity Leave I have been inundated with DM’s on Instagram asking me how I chose my children’s childcare centre. So, I thought I would take this opportunity to answer all your questions in one place! As a mum of two, an ex-childcare worker (of 5 years), an ex-private nanny and a current teacher (of 9 years ) I feel particularly qualified to give advice in this area!
If you find this helpful please let me know on Instagram. I’d love to keep this space ad free, so if you find the information below particularly helpful and want to say thanks for taking the time to putting it together you can shout me a coffee here.
The pros and cons of different types of childcare
When deciding on which childcare option is best for you there are many things to consider. The first being the type of care you want. Here is a low down of the different types available.
Family care
What it is-
Some families are lucky enough to have a grandparent or other family member willing and able to look after their children on a regular basis either in their own home or at the relative’s home.
Pros-
Builds a bond with other members within the family
One on one attention
Can take them to classes, playgrounds, museums, libraries etc
Is often free
They will often still care for the child if unwell
They will often come to your home saving you time in the mornings and afternoons
Cons-
If the family member is unwell you lose care, often late notice
If they are caring for your child in their own home it could mean leaving earlier in the morning and having extra time in the car each day for both you and your children
You will likely have to purchase additional car seats for their vehicle
You may have to pack your child’s food
It can be more difficult to be direct with relatives in terms of your expectations and wishes for the care of your child
Not everyone has access to this level of help
Nannies
What it is-
An employed person who comes to your home to care for your child.
Pros-
One on one attention
Can take them to classes, playgrounds, museums, libraries etc
They will often still care for the child if unwell
They will often come to your home saving you time in the mornings and afternoons
Cons-
If the nanny is unwell you lose care, often late notice
You will likely have to purchase additional car seats for their vehicle
You may have to pack your child’s food
Often more expensive and sometimes not covered under the Child Care Subsidy
More difficult to trust as there is no accountability (no monitoring, no other staff members to watch out for inappropriate behaviours etc)
Nannies can be difficult to find, particularly good ones
Home Daycare
What it is-
Someone who cares for children in their own home.
Pros-
Some home daycares are 4-seater prams and can take children on local outings
Although ratios (carer to child) are often the same, the actual class sizes are often smaller meaning there may be less illness going around
Usually covered under child care subsidy
Some carers offer flexible hours which may suit shift workers
Different toys
Cons-
If the nanny is unwell you lose care, often late notice
If your child is sick they will not be allowed to attend
You may have to pack your child’s food
More difficult to trust as there is no accountability (no monitoring, no other staff members to watch out for inappropriate behaviours etc)
Children of differing age groups may mean it is more difficult for your child to form close friendships
Children can be left unattended If the carer needs to prepare food, use the bathroom or put another child to sleep
You are often charged for public holidays and vacation days
Often have limited availability
Childcare centre
What it is-
Centre based care which usually has classes with multiple carers looking after children of similar ages.
Pros-
Some daycare centres take children on local outings
Larger class sizes mean more opportunities for your child to build social skills and form close friendships as well as learn how to interact positively with those they “do not click with”
Covered under child care subsidy
Some centres offer early drop off and late pick up
Some centres offer on-site extracurricular activities such as dance, yoga, music, sports, languages etc. They also often host incursions about animals, fire, police, paramedics etc
Most centres will have set programs which often include lessons on literacy, numeracy, sustainability and art
High numbers of staff mean more accountability of staff
If a carer is unwell they will be replaced for the day and you won’t lose care
Food is often provided
Children are never left unattended
Different toys and playgrounds
Programmed learning and play activities
Some centres provide nappies and wipes
Most centres use an app-based system to update parents on their child’s day and send through photos
Most centres give monthly individualised reports about children’s learning progress
Cons-
If your child is sick they will not be allowed to attend
Some centres charge for public holidays and vacation days
Larger class sizes can mean more illness going around
Some centres so not use cots for children under 1 which can be an issue if you have a very inquisitive child
Often have limited availability and waiting lists
Pre-kindy
What it is-
Often called ‘Preschool’ these are stand-alone community kindergarten classes or ones attached to schools. Not to be confused with childcare centres who offer “kindergarten programmes”. They offer high quality teachers (they pay a lot more than childcare canters so better teachers are attracted to the job) with focused activities and school-readiness programmes.
Pros-
Higher quality teachers who focus on school readiness
Larger class sizes mean more opportunities for your child to build social skills and form close friendships as well as learn how to interact positively with those they “do not click with”
Some Preschools offer on-site extracurricular activities such as dance, yoga, music, sports, languages etc. They also often host incursions about animals, fire, police, paramedics etc.
Set programs which often include lessons on literacy, numeracy, sustainability and art
High numbers of staff mean more accountability of staff
If a teacher is unwell they will be replaced for the day and you won’t lose care
Children are never left unattended
Different toys and playgrounds
Programmed learning and play activities
Cons-
If your child is sick they will not be allowed to attend
Often charge vacation days taken within terms
Often not open during school holidays
Larger class sizes can mean more illness going around
Only suitable for children above the age of 3 meaning you could have children attending different centres
Not covered by child care subsidy
Shorter days, usually 9am-3pm
You will need to provide a packed lunch
Less communication with parents, most will provide photos of the day but little else
Once you have decided on the type of care you want you will want to Google the options in your area and make a list of places to visit in person
How to choose your list of places to visit
Sometimes too many options can feel overwhelming. Here are three considerations that may eliminate some from your list-
Location- Close to home is often better than close to work. If you’re ever unwell the option to drop your child somewhere nearby can be a godsend. Another thing to consider is the possibility of future job changes or Maternity Leave with future babies. Remember if a centre is 5minutes away that added up to 20 minutes a day in the car or over an hour and a half in the car per week. If it is 15minutes away that could add up to an hour in the car each day- up to five hours a week.
Cost- You can access an estimate of your Child Care Subsidy via Services Australia. Most childcare places will have their pre-subsidy prices online and if not, you can find out from a quick phone call. Remember, more expensive doesn’t always been better! When it comes to childcare there are many not for profit companies that far exceed the quality of care provided by privatised brands.
Availability- If a centre has a yearlong wait list and you’re due back at work in 8 weeks it’s simply not going to work. Similarly, if you need specific days or have multiple children needing care you may need to broaden your search.
Now that you have shortened your list you most likely have 2-5 options to investigate further. Time for site visits!
Before your visits
Make a mental list of ‘must -haves’
You may trust your best friend inherently, but that doesn't mean you necessarily have the same philosophy about childcare. While word-of-mouth referrals from other parents or trusted resources are important, you need to look at a place for yourself to assess whether it meets your needs. If possible, try to visit the same centres at different times of the day to get a sense of how the staff interacts with the children and what the routine is. You may want to consider popping in unannounced a few times after you've enrolled your child, just to see how things are going. Sometimes your visits will confirm that the place is right for you, but sometimes they'll be a real eye-opener.
Before you start visiting centres it is very important to have a clear understanding of what is important to you. This is a personal list of ‘must haves’ that will differ greatly from parent to parent. These are priorities bases in personal beliefs and values and there is no one “right” list! I will share with you my list below. You may have some of these point on your list and not others. You may also have some points that I have not mentioned too!
Low turnover rate of key educators. If key staff have been at the centre for years it indicates they will likely be a consistent face for your child. It is good to have some turnover as fresh ideas help to keep things current but having a high turnover of all staff could be an indication of unhappy staff or a poor work environment.
Healthy meals. This is an obvious one for me. Centres generally have to adhere to certain nutritional guidelines but these are quite basic. For me I wanted to see copies of menus so I could check that meals contained sufficient vegetables, healthy fats and weren’t excessively full of cheap fillers (e.g. pasta, rice, bread etc every day in a row). I also checked that there was variety offered and dishes weren’t repeated too regularly. Another thing I kept an eye out for was morning and afternoon tea. Here I wanted variety too, fruits, vegetables, cheese, yoghurt and the occasional baked good. My children eat breakfast in the morning before we leave but it is also helpful to know that if they ever sleep in and miss eating before we head off, breakfast will be served to them. Not every centre offers breakfast so it’s worth checking if this is something you will need.
Real Grass, gardens, trees and water play. This one is SO important to me and was actually the most difficult thing to find! A lot of newer centres have playscapes full of fake turf which I personally cannot stand. It may look nice and be a lot cheaper to maintain but I really didn’t want my children playing on plastic and chemicals all day long. There is an overwhelming amount of research proving that children's immune systems can be significantly boosted by playing in a natural environment. One study, which was carried out in Finland, looked at a group of 75 children aged 3-5, who went to ten daycare centres in two Finnish cities. These children had previously been playing in childcare yards devoid of natural elements. For the study their play spaces were upgraded to include real grass, gardens and trees. Within a month, their immune systems showed considerable improvements! The children spent an average of 90 minutes a day outside, which is considerably less than children in Australia (imagine the impact here). At the end of 28 days, the children who had been playing in the centres with natural environments had 33% more microbes on their skin than those who had played on man-made surfaces and their gut microbe levels increased too. Levels of proteins and cells related to the immune system in their blood, like T cells and cytokine (an anti-inflammatory) improved too. The Finnish research seems to reinforce a 2019 report from the UK's Society for Public Health, which also found that playing in a natural outdoor environment was important for building a robust immune system. The centre my children attend has real grass, trees, gardens, veggie patches and water streams which children are not only free to enjoy but actively encouraged to play in. I truly believe this environment has helped Maisie to develop her super strong immune system and is one reason she never gets sick!
One you have your ‘must-haves’ list firmly concreted in your mind it’ll be easy to spot winners when you have your tours. Some other things to look out for during your visits are-
During your visits
Watch the staff and the children
When you're visiting a potential site, pay attention to how the staff interacts with the children. Ideally, a caregiver should be on the floor playing with the kids or holding one on their lap. In their early years, babies need close, loving, interactive relationships with adults in order to thrive. That's why it's especially important that babies' first caregivers be warm and responsive, and that even in group care, infants and older babies get a healthy dose of attention. Sometimes children have an off day and having responsive carers who will work the usual schedule around your babies’ needs is a huge thing!
Questions to ask-
Does each child have a set caregiver?
How do transitions work? Do children move up with carers or friends?
If my child refuses lunch or a nap will they be offered one later, outside normal meal/sleep times?
How do you communicate with parents and how can I best communicate with you?
How do pick-ups and drop offs work? Will this be done with my child’s regular caregiver?
Do you offer free orientation days so my child can get used to the centre while having the comfort of me still being there? How many of these days can we attend?
Although there may be 2-4 staff in a room, some child care centres have set caregivers that are in charge of certain children, remembering their routines, likes, dislikes and providing love and attention to them. These carers often move up with ‘their’ children when the time comes for them to transition into the next room. In other centres carers remain in the same room but children are transitioned in groups so that they stay with their friends. In our centre they do a combination of the two. Having familiar faces in new rooms has really helped make transitions a breeze for Maisie.
Check their policies but don’t be fooled by jargon
Don't let a carer or director's lingo snow you. A daycare director may talk the talk, but that doesn't mean every word they say is sacrosanct or that the centre is the right one for your family. They should be able to answer your questions clearly, without using jargon as a smoke screen. At one daycare, when I asked the teacher what a typical day would be like, she gave me a song and dance about structure and toddlers not mixing and how the word 'curriculum' should never be used when talking about early-childhood education. She obviously didn't know what she was going to do with the kids all day and thought she could dazzle me with jargon. As in many areas of life, common sense should be your guide. Young children feel safe when their days are structured and predictable, so it makes sense to look for a daycare with clear plans and programmes. Good Centres will happily provide copies of their learning programmes and if you are unsure of whether the programme is quality or full of “fluff”, seek out help from a teacher friend if you have one! Other policies to look over are their sun safety policy, what they do in an emergency situation, discipline, milk, holiday and illness policies.
Questions to ask-
Can I have a copy of this month’s programme for each of the rooms please?
Are parents asked for insight before programmes are written or feedback afterwards?
Can I please have a copy of this month’s menu?
Do parents have a say in what goes onto the menu?
If my child loves a dish can I ask the chef for the recipe?
What sunscreen do you use and can I provide my own if my child has sensitive skin?
Do I have to pay for public holiday?
Do I have to pay for vacation days? If there is a discount- how many days are discounted, how much is the discount and how much prior notice do I need to give?
If my child is sick do I need a doctor’s note or COVID test before returning to care?
What precautions are put into place to ensure illnesses aren’t spread around the centre?
Are children with visibly runny noses or coughs allowed to come to daycare and if so, how will you avoid them spreading their illness to my child?
Do I need to provide my own nappies and wipes?
What is your policy regarding breast milk and formula?
Have a backup centre
You're not married to a particular person or situation, and if things don't work out, you can always make a switch. Yes, you want consistency for your baby, but that doesn't mean you can't alter arrangements. Babies are resilient; as long as they're having a positive experience with their new caregiver, they'll be just fine.
Having a backup centre helps to alleviate the anxiety around not making the “right” decision. If your backup has a wait list there is no harm in joining it. If things are going well in your first choice then you can always turn down the place in the backup centre.
No matter what your work hours, you are still your child's primary caregiver; the most consistent source of love and support in her life. Under your care and guidance, along with the help of your well-chosen caregivers, your baby will flourish and grow into a happy, healthy child.
Whichever childcare option you decide upon, remember is perfectly normal to second guess your decision and feel anxious and sad about leaving your child. Make sure you do your orientation days- they are just as much for your own peace of mind as they are for your child to get accustomed to the new environment. Keep your phone on you and know they will call you if your child is inconsolable or won’t eat or sleep. Remind yourself that no call means a happy day! Missing your child is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Find a supportive co-worker who has also been through this and seek support from them.
Preparing for the first day
It’s hard to tell how the new arrangement will go, but with a bit of preparation things may go smoother than you thought.
Make sure you have completed your CCS application with Centerlink and confirmed your child’s enrolment once it’s come through. If you don’t do this before your child’s first day they will not backpay you and you will be charged full rates!
Make sure you’ve had your visits, asked your questions and are sure of your decision
Orientation visits are very important, as they allow you and your child to become familiar with the setting, the staff, and building relationships
If you have a pre-schooler who is older enough to understand, talk about childcare with them, and some of the processes such as drop offs and pick-ups, making new friends, new learning opportunities and play
Take your child shopping and include them in choosing items needed, such as a bag, water bottle, hat, etc. This this gives them ownership in the process and assists parents in talking about going to childcare with their child
If possible, take a support person with you for the first few drop offs. Having someone with you will help with any overwhelming feelings you might have about leaving your precious cherub in someone else’s care. Heading off to your first day back at work can be a welcome distraction but if you’re not working make sure to plan yourself a busy day
Tell the carers everything and anything about your child! The more information a parent can give to the staff, the more they will be able to cater to your child's needs and with making the transition a smooth and positive one. Don’t feel silly about writing instructions out each day for the first few weeks. Many parents do this and it is actually very helpful!
Be consistent in routines when dropping off your child, this limits disruption and negative transitions. Don’t sneak out on your child, give them a kiss and say goodbye but don’t let them cling to you or drag it out
Make sure to pack their bag well so they have everything they need. Your daycare centre should give you a list of things which will likely include- drink bottle, hat, change of clothes, extra bibs, sleep bag and bottom sheet (unwashed so they smell of their own bed), comfort toy and/or dummy, breastmilk or formula (make sure to check your centres guidelines on how you need to bring this), a note reminding staff of your child’s schedule and their favourite songs/books/foods/activities (anything that will help them have a happy first day). Don’t forget to label everything! Treat yourself and get a name stamp for clothes. You won’t regret it! Click on the picture below to see where we got ours.
What to expect
Every child is different and each will start their time in care in different ways. Some might be happy and excited to embark on new and exciting things, other will feel overwhelmed with separation anxiety from their parents and being put into this strange environment that they know nothing about. The way a child adjusts to childcare can have a lot to do with their age. Children experience peaks in separation anxiety at 12 months and 18 months and ay struggle more during these times, but rest assured they will get there!
Be realistic! It might take days to weeks for your child to settle in. Communicating with staff can often help with supporting you with strategies to encourage positive transitions, such as having experiences set out that your child enjoys to help calm them when they arrive. A child who only attends once or twice a week may take longer to adjust compared to a child who attends 3-5 days a week. Similarly, a child who has daycare one day, then a home day, then daycare again may take longer to adjust compared with a child that attends daycare two days in a row.
You may feel you’re doing the wrong thing by leaving your child in childcare, and these feeling are normal for any parent. It’s a change for everyone and takes time for it to become more familiar. Always feel you can check on your child with a phone call.
The carers will want to talk with you at pick ups to let you know information about your child's day, their interests, any concerns and to build relationships. Being open to establishing relationships with your child's carers provides a foundation for support, effective communication and positive relationships.
Be prepared to deal with the idea that your child may not settle in immediately. It may take some time and strategies to work through transitioning and routines. They may not eat or sleep well at first. This is not a sign of how their eating and sleeping will be forever at daycare. Plan for early bedtimes and possible additional overnight milk feeds in those early weeks. Allowing them these adjustments to their usual home routine will help the transition and will only last a few weeks at most.
How to deal with drop offs
Dropping off your child to an unfamiliar environment can be a difficult task at times. When dealing with any drop off it’s important to keep these things in mind.
Inform your child of what’s going to happen. Detail the steps such as when we arrive we will say good morning to the teachers, put out belongings in their places and find an activity to join. You are mentally preparing them for what’s going to happen and follow through with what you detailed.
As tempting as it is to sneak away, it’s important to always say good bye to your child before you leave and not just disappear! This establishes routine for the future and allows them to know you are leaving instead of frightening them when they cannot find you.
Allow your child to have a transitional object that may assist with helping them feel a connection from home to assist with settling. This can be something simple like a blankie, comforter, or teddy. Just make sure it’s clearly labelled!
As much as you’ll find it hard to leave, staying for a long time when dropping off can create the sense that you’re staying with them, making it harder when it comes time to leave. Stay for a few minutes as they settle into an experience and then say good bye before leaving.
Be consistent. Your child will immediately pick up on any change and through consistency comes structure and routine and these things assist children with settling in.
Stay positive. Your child will pick up on your emotions and react to them. Always feel open to call once you have left to check in with staff about how your child has settled in once you left. Save the tears for later!
It’s not a good idea to re-enter the room once you have said your goodbyes, as this can lead to a prolonged separation anxiety and establishing a drop off routine.
If possible, tell the daycare staff to call you in your child has not settled in 30minutes on that first day. Having worked in daycare for 5 years and as a teacher in a school for 9 years I am confident in saying most children setting after 10-15minutes if not as soon as their parents are out of sight. No call means a happy child!
Remember…
Leaving your child in care is a BIG deal! It’s scary, exciting and heartbreaking all at once. It’s ok to be an absolute blubbering mess as soon as you leave your child’s sight! IT DOES GET EASIER! You are strong mama. You’ve got this!!!
If you find this helpful please let me know on Instagram. I’d love to keep this space ad free, so if you find the information below particularly helpful and want to say thanks for taking the time to putting it together you can shout me a coffee here.
