Choosing A Good Early Childhood Program For You And Your Infant Baby
Good early childhood programs create and offer on a day to day basis a partnership between your family and their teacher caregivers. Finding a loving, caring place for your precious infant baby may take sometime so be sure to start early and give yourself an opportunity to visit several programs.
First, look for programs licensed with either the Department of Health or the Department of Education in your state. Licensed programs must meet certain criteria for the health, safety and education of young children. Requirements vary from state to state. Call the Department of Health or the Department of Education and they can give you a list of licensed programs in your area.
Second, make phone calls, ask questions and schedule a tour. To learn what is available you may want to visit center based programs, home based programs and even interview nannies to work in your home. Talk with other parents who already have their child enrolled in a program you are interested in. Choosing an early childhood program for your baby is a very important and personal choice.
Third, visit several programs. Go prepared with a written list of questions. What you want to see as you visit programs are small group sizes. The National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends no more than eight babies with one caregiver for every three children. Your state agency requirements may have different ratios.
o The smaller the group size and ratio of caregiver to babies allows for caregivers to respond to your baby's individual needs and form important one to one relationships.
o Each infant has a primary caregiver so the caregiver and baby get to know each other very well and create a healthy happy relationship.
o You want to see caregivers holding, talking to and making eye contact with babies throughout the day giving them the support, warmth and caring they desire and deserve.
o Caregivers hold and move babies to a new position or area, giving them a variety of activities in what they can look at and do.
o During routines such as diaper changing, feeding and changing clothes caregivers are attentive and talk to the babies with smiles and comforting voices.
o To encourage and enable infants to become familiar with language caregivers should talk, read and sing to the babies in their care. This is the beginning of recognizing words and sounds for your baby.
o In your baby's program you want to see babies eat and sleep on their own schedule allowing them to be most comfortable. Babies need to be held when taking a bottle. You do not want to see babies with their bottle propped in a crib.
o Caregivers at all times can see and hear all babies.
o Caregivers follow health and safety procedures to include proper hand washing which is most important to limit the spread of germs and infectious disease.
Fourth, the center or home welcomes parents to come in and visit at any time for any reason. Daily you want to talk and share your baby's development and activities, building respect, trust and a mutual understanding between your family and the childcare program. Fifth, good programs take precautions to keep children safe and healthy.
o Notice that high chairs, changing tables, strollers and swings have a safety strap with working buckles.
o Diaper changing table is organized with diapering supplies and extra clothes in arms reach. Also, a sink is in this area, with disinfectant and paper towels.
o Toys are clean, nontoxic and not able to be swallowed. There are no small or broken parts.
o Electrical outlets are covered.
o Carpeted floors are free of objects that might trip caregivers or children.
o Cribs have no more than 2 3/8 inches of space between slats.
o First Aid kit is readily available and caregivers have knowledge in first aid, CPR and other emergency procedures.
Finally, parents you know your child best and are their best teacher. Like parents, good caregivers know a happy, healthy baby is a secure baby. A good relationship between parents and caregivers gives parents a peace of mind and gives children a good beginning. Babies benefit from the day to day communication of parents and caregivers creating continuity between the child care setting and home.
Each baby reacts differently to a new child care setting. Some may cry and fuss, others make the transition with relative ease. Working together parents and caregiver can successfully work through this period of adjustment. The goal is for you and your baby to feel secure, comfortable and confident. Parents, you may have a difficult time too, so give yourself time to adjust. Find out before hand how a program handles transitions.
Programs vary with some encouraging parents to leave your child gradually, beginning with just a part day or a few hours. Others invite parents in to visit with your baby before beginning to see how the day flows and giving you an opportunity to see your infant's caregiver with your baby. A good caregiver reaffirms nothing can substitute a parent's love. When adults show trust and respect for one another, babies will adjust more smoothly, building a strong foundation for hellos and good byes.
First, look for programs licensed with either the Department of Health or the Department of Education in your state. Licensed programs must meet certain criteria for the health, safety and education of young children. Requirements vary from state to state. Call the Department of Health or the Department of Education and they can give you a list of licensed programs in your area.
Second, make phone calls, ask questions and schedule a tour. To learn what is available you may want to visit center based programs, home based programs and even interview nannies to work in your home. Talk with other parents who already have their child enrolled in a program you are interested in. Choosing an early childhood program for your baby is a very important and personal choice.
Third, visit several programs. Go prepared with a written list of questions. What you want to see as you visit programs are small group sizes. The National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends no more than eight babies with one caregiver for every three children. Your state agency requirements may have different ratios.
o The smaller the group size and ratio of caregiver to babies allows for caregivers to respond to your baby's individual needs and form important one to one relationships.
o Each infant has a primary caregiver so the caregiver and baby get to know each other very well and create a healthy happy relationship.
o You want to see caregivers holding, talking to and making eye contact with babies throughout the day giving them the support, warmth and caring they desire and deserve.
o Caregivers hold and move babies to a new position or area, giving them a variety of activities in what they can look at and do.
o During routines such as diaper changing, feeding and changing clothes caregivers are attentive and talk to the babies with smiles and comforting voices.
o To encourage and enable infants to become familiar with language caregivers should talk, read and sing to the babies in their care. This is the beginning of recognizing words and sounds for your baby.
o In your baby's program you want to see babies eat and sleep on their own schedule allowing them to be most comfortable. Babies need to be held when taking a bottle. You do not want to see babies with their bottle propped in a crib.
o Caregivers at all times can see and hear all babies.
o Caregivers follow health and safety procedures to include proper hand washing which is most important to limit the spread of germs and infectious disease.
Fourth, the center or home welcomes parents to come in and visit at any time for any reason. Daily you want to talk and share your baby's development and activities, building respect, trust and a mutual understanding between your family and the childcare program. Fifth, good programs take precautions to keep children safe and healthy.
o Notice that high chairs, changing tables, strollers and swings have a safety strap with working buckles.
o Diaper changing table is organized with diapering supplies and extra clothes in arms reach. Also, a sink is in this area, with disinfectant and paper towels.
o Toys are clean, nontoxic and not able to be swallowed. There are no small or broken parts.
o Electrical outlets are covered.
o Carpeted floors are free of objects that might trip caregivers or children.
o Cribs have no more than 2 3/8 inches of space between slats.
o First Aid kit is readily available and caregivers have knowledge in first aid, CPR and other emergency procedures.
Finally, parents you know your child best and are their best teacher. Like parents, good caregivers know a happy, healthy baby is a secure baby. A good relationship between parents and caregivers gives parents a peace of mind and gives children a good beginning. Babies benefit from the day to day communication of parents and caregivers creating continuity between the child care setting and home.
Each baby reacts differently to a new child care setting. Some may cry and fuss, others make the transition with relative ease. Working together parents and caregiver can successfully work through this period of adjustment. The goal is for you and your baby to feel secure, comfortable and confident. Parents, you may have a difficult time too, so give yourself time to adjust. Find out before hand how a program handles transitions.
Programs vary with some encouraging parents to leave your child gradually, beginning with just a part day or a few hours. Others invite parents in to visit with your baby before beginning to see how the day flows and giving you an opportunity to see your infant's caregiver with your baby. A good caregiver reaffirms nothing can substitute a parent's love. When adults show trust and respect for one another, babies will adjust more smoothly, building a strong foundation for hellos and good byes.
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