What Should You Expect from Your Childcare Provider

I feel blessed to say that over half of my adult life has revolved around children and groups to help children and their parents. I've spent the past fifteen years working in Early Childhood Education facilities, as well as owning my own childcare center.

Over the years I have learned that when we choose to take on the responsibility of running an in-home childcare center there are certain things that parents should expect of their providers.

Is Your daycare Clean Enough?
More often than not this is a parent's first concern with in-home daycare. However are you keeping your center too clean? If a potential parent walks into a daycare that is too clean with no fingerprints on the walls or no toys scattered across the floor, he/she might wonder, what in the world have the children been doing all day long? On the flip side, dirt, choking hazards and broken toys are definite unsafe and should be taken care of immediately.

So what should your policy on cleaning be? But how clean is too clean? Obviously the children in your care should always be your first priority. To maintain a clean and therefore healthy playroom, you should plan to vacuum several time a day. Sweeping, sanitizing toys and tables with a solution of bleach and water, checking the toys for missing parts is necessary to make sure everything is safe for the children. Unfortunately, it will more than likely still look like a toy store exploded in your playroom by the end of a busy day. This is to be expected because in order for children to learn through play they need to make a mess.

Honesty
Parents expect their providers to be completely honest at all times. As providers we should never make commitments or promises that we cannot keep. If there is a problem with a child or the child has been injured, it should never be hidden from the parents.

Keeping The Lines of Communication Open
It is a provider's responsibility to provide parents with frequent updates in their child's progress or any problems that might arise.

Open access To Our Home
Parents should always be welcome to drop by at anytime during the day to check on their child, especially if their child is ill or dealing with separation anxiety.

Honoring The Parent's Wishes
Daycare providers have a responsibility to abide by the parent's wishes when it comes to discipline, toilet training, and even the amount of TV their child watches. If you think that the parent's wishes do not mesh with your childcare philosophy, you should inform the family before you agree to care for their child.

Notice Of Any Changes In Childcare
It can be extremely difficult for parents to find adequate care for their child, so providers should inform parents at least two weeks in advance if there will be any changes in daycare hours. It takes time for parents to find another position for their child if it becomes necessary.

Staying Out Of Family Problems
Daycare providers should never discuss family issues, or lifestyle with the children they care for. Also, providers should do their best not to take sides in any family dispute or custody battle. If by chance you see something that is seriously unsafe in the way the parents are caring for their children, such as physical or mental abuse, it is your legal responsibility to contact the proper authorities.

No Surprises
What this means is that your childcare facility will not suddenly close its doors. This is one thing that parents fear most from their childcare providers.