Childcare: which option do you pick?

Going back to work or staying at home is huge decision to make and I think an even bigger one is what child care to choose.

Before I had my son I was a nursery manager and with a biased view but now that I have been at home with my children and work as a childminder myself and  feel my views have changed.

I feel each option has its pro's and con's and over the last ten or so years the job roles has changed and there is a lot more in place to ensure children are offered the same opportunities regardless of the type of childcare they are in. I do however still feel that not every type of childcare suits every one and it is always best to do your research and visit plenty of settings before making your choice.

So what should you think about the looking for childcare? Here are five important points.

1. Do your research! Look at Ofsted reports, find out their reputation, look at their websites and get in contact with them to receive to ask for an information pack. Remember do take some of this information with a pinch of salt, every ones opinion and experience is different.
2. Create a short list of settings which best suit you and your child using the information above including cost and location.
3. Visit your short list settings at a time of day when the children will be playing and go prepared with a list of questions you would like to ask. Look out for what is important to you as you walk around. For example is the environment clean? are the children occupied? and do the staff interact with the children?
4. Try to speak to the staff after all they will be looking after your child and it is important that their personality and temperament will work well with your child’s to help them build a bond.
5. compare each setting you have visited and look at the pro’s and con’s to each I would say that the most important thing to consider is where did your child relax the most.