You’re not alone if the thought of leaving your child with someone else makes you nervous. Offloading some child care responsibilities is a significant decision. The most precious thing for parents is their children. Daycare facilities are extremely beneficial for working families or parents in need of child care assistance. At daycare, children begin to acquire key life skills, such as social skills.
Going to daycare for the first time is overwhelming for parents and children, but in all this excitement, one should not forget the safety aspect. According to experts, children left at day care are at risk since the law does not regulate the industry. The majority of these centres are disorganized. In India, anyone may open a daycare centre.
Vigilant parents must check all the aspects of the physical, emotional, and cognitive security of their child. This is important as daycare is the stepping stone to formal education, and children are too naive to take care of themselves.
The following aspects should be monitored by parents regularly and verified before sending off your child to daycare:
Policies on security and open doors
It’s critical to understand the daycare’s front door security, which includes a secure entrance. Consider the following as well:
- Is the method for dropping off and picking up detailed and consistent?
- How can families gain access to the centre?
- How can guests or those authorized to drop off or pick up gain access?
- Is there a policy of open doors?
- Is it encouraged and welcomed for families to drop by at any time to nurse, cuddle, or eat lunch with their children?
First Aid and CPR
Inquire whether staff members have current credentials and are well-trained in the event of a crisis.
- Do teachers have CPR and first aid certification?
- Is it required that they keep their credentials up to date?
- Is there any training that must be attended regularly to guarantee that they are fully prepared for any emergency?
Management of Food and Allergies
If your child has a food intolerance, parents might well be hesitant to enrol him or her in group care. Confirm that the centre has excellent policies and processes in place to address all allergies and that they treat these issues seriously. The following are a few questions you might want to ask the centre:
- How are food intolerances dealt with?
- Do you have any experience with allergy therapy and reaction prevention?
- Can you explain how the centre knows whose meal is whose?
- How does the centre ensure that all children get the best nutrition (liquids and solids)?
- Is the centre “Nut Safe,” and if so, what does it mean to you?
- Who is authorized to use an EpiPen?
- Is the EpiPen with my child at all times?
Cleanliness and sanity
We all desire a safe atmosphere for our children. On a visit, have a glance around the facility, including the classrooms, bathrooms, kitchen (if one exists), any rooms, and even the halls.
- Inquire about how toys are washed after being in a child’s mouth.
- Are the surfaces cleaned every day and at the end of the day?
- Who does the classroom cleaning?
- Do the instructors clean the classrooms, toilets, and common spaces themselves, or does a cleaning service agency come in overnight to deep clean them?
- Please describe the diaper-changing process.
- Decide how frequently diapers are changed.
- Is there a separate space just for diaper changes?
- Do teachers put on gloves and clean the area after changing a diaper?
- How does toilet training at the centre work?
Child Abuse and Protection Policy
As a parent or legal guardian who takes your child to daycare, you need to ask the following questions to avoid daycare abuse:
- Is there a child-protection policy in place? They should have well-established policies for children’s safety. Request a copy.
- Is it part of the policy to reduce isolated one-on-one situations? Because 80% of abuse occurs in isolated, one-on-one scenarios, they should mention how their institution handles one-on-one situations. It should occur in an open, visible, and interruptible environment.
- How are prospective workers and volunteers screened? In-depth applicants, personal and work references, a criminal background check, and a comprehensive interview are all best practices. How frequently do they perform background checks on employees and volunteers?
Preventing Illness at Daycare
Healthy behaviors and self-care may come naturally to some of us, but for our children, whose body systems are still growing, healthy habits must be taught.
Here are some ideas for things to discuss with the centre:
- Tell me about the sick leave policy.
- Is it a part of the curriculum to promote a healthy lifestyle, such as exercise, lots of rest, eating excellent, healthful meals, and maintaining good hygiene?
- Can you provide me with an example of a snack or lunch menu?
- Is it easy to find tissues, sinks, and liquid soap?
- Do ill children have to stay away from the centre for a particular amount of time?
- What happens if a child becomes ill during the school day?
Health and safety are important factors when searching for quality daycare, but they aren’t the only elements to consider. Don’t hesitate to ask about the things that matter to you. There is nothing more important than the peace of mind that comes with knowing your child is safe, happy, and well-cared-for!
At ipsaa daycare, we strive for the child’s holistic development. It’s like a second home for the children, and we also provide good, nutritious home-cooked meals for the children. One of our best daycare schools is in Gurgaon, and you are welcome to check out our nearest centre and find the daycare of your dreams.