Selecting Child Care Providers - CHAPTER FIVE - PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

How To Screen Any Child Care Provider

Screening anyone is a matter of asking the right kinds of questions. You must first develop your reasons why you want to screen someone. What do you want to find out about that individual?

The Step-By-Step Process

I have outlined the things you need to be aware of when selecting a child care provider, in this book.

The best way to go about using this book is to first determine which kind of child care provider you are looking for… Will it be a day care or a live-in nanny…?

Once you know what you’re looking for you need to go through this book again and concentrate on those chapters that reflect your needs.

Make as many questions that come to mind and I’m sure you’ll have plenty more as you start conducting interviews.

You’ll definitely want to know this persons experience or if choosing a daycare, you’ll want to know all the employees and their experiences.

AS well you’ll also want to ask about security issues and procedures the day care facility has in place if a child goes missing.

Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions and don’t allow anyone make you feel rushed. You keep asking questions and keep interviewing other people and places until you feel comfortable.

Making Your Final Selection

After you have interviewed several people and several day care providers you’ll want to assemble your notes and compare them.

Once you make your final decision go back to your initial list and make a second choice. This way if your first selection does not do an adequate job in your eyes or something unforeseen happens you’ll have an immediate backup provider, in most cases, just a phone call away.

CONCLUSION

It is important to arrange your child care needs well in advance so that you can prepare your child for interaction with other children as well as other adults when you are not present.

It is also important for your child to understand why you are sending them out of the home or bringing someone else into your home to care for them. Children don’t understand why you have to work or be away from them.

Utilize the forms that have been included with this publication to make the screening process for child care as accurate as possible. Remember that you are conducting this process for the benefit of your child.

By taking the necessary steps to ensure that you have the absolute best child care available for your child you will feel much more relaxed when you leave your child in the care of the provider of your choice.

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