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Like many, you’ve thinking you might put your child into
care when you go back to work, whether that is 6 weeks or over a year away. You
haven’t quite made up your mind yet, as there is plenty of time, or is there? According
to a recent survey, the Australian government says there is no shortage of places. That
may be so, but there are a few things you need to know right now, or you might
find your choices unpalatable.
 Waiting Lists
This is the primary reason to go looking for childcare now.
Quality daycare places are in serious shortage in some areas. In my local area
children are waiting for over 2 years to get a place in their local centre,
which is council run and has a good staff to child ratio, with only 15 children
per room. The other options for me are a further 10-15 minutes drive away and
have double the class size with less staff.
While living in a different area I put my first child on a
waiting list when I was pregnant and when he turned one I still had trouble
getting a place. That place was 15 minutes drive away. Being prepared and
persistent in your search for child care may well be necessary in the local
climate.
Orientation
This is the second reason to go looking for childcare earlier
than you plan to return to work. Any good centre will have an orientation
program in place, where you and the child attend the centre together at first
to ensure a positive and slow transition. Orientation occurs prior to you
paying for care, as the days are not whole days and you are with the child for
some of the time. You might expect to spend a couple of hours at the centre the
first time, and may not leave your child at all or only for 20-30 minutes at
most. The next few visits will depend on your child’s coping ability and the
time will gradually extend to a full day without you.
If on the other hand you find that the place or staff in the
room do not suit you or your child, you need time to find an alternative and
then orientation takes place again. It’s important not to be backed into a
corner by a return to work date, as the last thing you want to do is feel
terrible and stressed leaving your child every time you work.
With orientation my child never cried when I left him, which
was a huge relief. Not every child will be able to see you leave cheerfully,
but with time and effort it is possible for most to have a happy and confident
handover.
Quality of Care
This is the most crucial reason to take some time planning
your options. You need to examine your local options carefully for the hours of
care and the quality of the programs being run. Issues such as security, class
size, qualifications of staff and programs being run all need to be considered.
There are standards in place for childcare but the details differ, so it’s not
easy to quantify your local options. In Australia it’s best to ring your
local council for a brochure explaining the alternatives in your area and
giving you contact details. Then it’s vital to go to the local centres and see
them in operation. After all your choice will determine your child’s well
being.
Type of Care
There are several kinds of child care options which have
differing levels of quality of care and hours of available care. This becomes
very important when you are thinking of your child’s happiness and safety. Council
and private centres alike may have similar programs, but private run centres
are by their nature run for profit while council run centres may be non-profit.
This can have an affect on staff-child ratios and the qualifications of the
carers. Long daycare centres may be needed by those with greater working hours,
while family daycare – where an individual carer looks after 5 children in
their home – may suit some. You also have the possibility of choosing a nanny
or occasional care centres, where there may be no set program and
qualifications vary widely.
Small Details
Costs per day for child care vary widely and they include
different things. While you might get a good rate at a centre, the costs can
add up on things like nappies, wipes and sunscreen. Some provide them, some
don’t. You might find the centre uses cloth nappies or disposables. If you have
your child in daycare 5 days a week and you can use their nappies that could be
quite a saving. Medicine procedures also differ and you may find, like I did,
that you need a chemist’s label on all medicines (including natural remedies)
as well as your authority on dosage.
Of course there is so much more to say about day care.
The people and the place involved are central to the experience you and your
child have. The important thing to realise is that you need time to make your
individual choice and that starting early is the best way to get the best
possible choice for your family.
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