|
|
|
Choosing the perfect daycare provider for your child should involve more
than price, convenience, location and hours of availability. Most larger
daycare centers are inspected frequently by state or federal agencies
and this practice tends to help them adhere easier to functional
guidelines. Unfortunately, home based daycare providers are not always
held to the same schedule of inspections and may slip in their desire to
provide the same level of care. As more and more moms become working
parents, it is essential that parents feel comfortable with those who
are taking care of their child when they are at work. The peace of mind
you get knowing that your child is properly cared for and in a safe
environment is priceless.
In this session, we’re going to discuss how you can visit a daycare
and decide if it is suitable to provide care for your child. Keep in
mind that the old adage “you get what you pay for” is as true in
daycare, as in anything else.
When looking at the daycare staff you wish to know about:
- Their health and immunization status, as most states require
workers to be in good physical and mental health and have all
immunizations including hepatitis B up to date.
- Is the staff required to have hepatitis A immunization
- Whether the staff is required to take flu shots
- How the center screens workers prior to employment
- How the center insures the personal hygiene of the workers
- Guidelines for sending sick staff members home
- What is the age and education level of the person providing care
for your child
- What is the provider to child ratio
- How has the staff been educated to detect serious or contagious
illnesses in enrolled or visiting children
- What are the hand washing and soiled or dirty clothing
guidelines for staff members
When looking at the facility ask about:
- Is food preparation on site or brought in already prepared
- Food handling areas and how the staff is trained to avoid
contaminating food
- Use of disposable plates, cups, diapers, changing table papers,
and towels
- Where children consume their food
- Diaper and dirty or soiled clothing change areas should be
clearly separate from food handling and storage areas
- How the center handles potty training and the use of individual
potties
- There should be a clearly marked exit door from each and every
room in the facility
- Where are smoke-fire alarms and fire extinguishers
- How often are fire drills and evacuation plans reviewed and
practiced
- Number of bathrooms to child ratio should not be in excess of
ten kids per bathroom
- Are there handicap equipped bathrooms in case your child has
special needs
- How often are bathrooms, the kitchen, and service areas cleaned
- What type of disinfectants are used, diluted bleach is the
standard, additional Lysol is great, but not by itself as bleach
kills HIV, TB and most infections
- How are toys cleaned and how often, plush toys should be
washable and washed every day
- How are cribs and walkers cleaned and how often
- What areas are carpeted and how often are carpets cleaned
- Is the diaper-changing table cleaned after each use or do they
use waterproof changing table pads that are disposed after each use
- Security risks and how the center ensures your child will remain
there safely until you or a designated person picks them up
- What is the protocol for finding a lost child, “we’ve never had
one” is not an acceptable answer
When looking at the other children in the center ask:
- About the age grouping of children in the daycare so that
multiple ages do not tend to be placed in the same classes
- If the center has immunization and health records on each and
every child
- What criterion does the center use in determining when to send a
sick child home
- How are runny noses and children with dry coughs handled
- Are a lot of the children out sick on the day you visit
- How are cases of head lice and scabies handled
- Do all children have changes of clean clothing in case of
soiling
- How are kids clothing and articles of need separated and stored
- Will the center give kid’s medications
Obviously, your child’s health and well being may depend upon the
nursery or daycare you have chosen to provide care when you are away or
at work. My wife and I took this decision seriously and just as you,
asked a lot of questions. Our goals as parents looking at daycare or
nursery services should be to provide safe and healthy growth
experiences for our kids.
Happy parenting!
Dr. Frank |
