Child Care Checklist

Are you a working mother of an active preschooler? Then this is for you. As parents, the best thing we can do for their children is spend time with them. The best part of parenting is watching your child grow and growing with them. Watching how they likes and dislikes change overnight, career choices of your little ones varying from a pilot to a detective, watching their face as they tie their first knot-indeed the joys of parenting.

But when you have to work, you are not left with any option but to find a reliable caregiver for your child. You can choose a babysitter, a day care, or a childcare center. Find one that best suits your child's requirements and yours. There are many of them around. You need to ensure your child's safety, his routine is not upset, and be reachable at all times. Here is a basic checklist that can help you.

For the babysitter

· Let her know where the first aid kit is kept.

· Give her the day's routine including when to prepare food, feed your child and put him to bed.

· Insist that she does not cook, eat or drink anything hot when carrying the child.

· Make sure she knows the forbidden areas in your house.

· Establish TV rules and insist she follows it.

· Let her know what your child's interests are.

· Ensure the discipline you have established at home is followed even when you are away.

For the daycare

It always helps to provide your daycare with the following details even if they do not insist on it.

Your child's details

· Name and age

· Name by which your child is called at home

· Special words your child refers to

· Allergies if any

· Medication if any with dosages

· Any other special instruction

Your details

· Complete name of the parents

· Home address

· Home telephone number/s

· Office telephone number/s

· Mobile phone number/s

· Office and home address of the parents

· The time you intend picking up your child

· The time you usually get back home

· The person who will receive your child if you are not at home

· Person to contact in an emergency

Ask them to contact you if your child has been crying for more than 20 minutes, if he has developed a sudden fever, breating troble or any allergic reaction.

And last of all it always help to keep in touch with your child's babysitter or daycare. Ask them for feedback at least once a week. It will help you to know if your child has developed any behavioral problems or has trouble coping. Keeping these in mind will make things easier for you as well as the care provider.