Signs of a Top Quality Care Centre

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Signs of a Top Quality Care Centre

Many parents take on a bit of guilt when they leave our children at a care centre. However, there is no shortage of research that suggests that when a well regulated, structured and well supervised setting is combined with children of all ages, it can create impressive and positive results. Experts contend that day care centres can work well for children of any age, as long as the centre is of high quality.

Babysitters and nannies used to be the big trend. However, it seems as though parents have quickly migrated to the idea of early education, something that many top quality centres can provide. For many parents, locating a centre that introduces young children to early learning is a priority. Research seems to agree with this relatively new trend, suggesting that kids are fully capable of learning early academics and other skills that previously were not taught until later. Finding a care centre that offers formalized early education curriculum, and accomplished staff takes priority for many parents.

According to Ben Hurst, founder of five Little Wonders Childcare Centres, “Ninety percent of our staff are either ECE or primary trained, qualified teachers and the remainder are currently in the process of training,” explained Hurst. “Find a centre with a staff that is extremely professional and clearly love their work.”

Joan Alman, a respected author and teacher of 20 years believes that a balance between education and fun is crucial. According to Alman, a good day care centre should also have a hospitable, friendly atmosphere. “You just see children making sense of their lives through play,” Alman says. Alman believes that good early education programs should include academic content but leave plenty of time for play, outdoors, and activities.

According to Hurst, the atmosphere of a childcare centre is a reflection of the people that work there. “The physical environment that we've created is nice, and the people add to our centres’ warmth and vibrancy.”

Tips for Finding a Top Childcare Centre

Tip #1: Pay attention to how the staff interact with the children. The staff should be well prepared, responsible and fun. Don’t be afraid to engage a staff member in conversation. Also, be mindful of your first impression: in this case it counts a lot.

Tip #2: Childcare Centres should be flexible, yet still maintain structure. Hurst explains: “We're open 7:30 a.m – 6 p.m. and parents can come at any stage throughout the day as long as they are there for 6 hours or more. This allows us to create meaningful sessions and develop an educational programme around all the other activities that occur in a day (meal times, sleeping, rest time, indoor/outdoor play and activities).”

Tip #3: The centre should have a strict sick child policy. Find out which illnesses will keep your child at home. A tough policy may seem inconvenient when it’s your child that is sick, but keeping sick children and staff members from your well child is important. Good centres help cut down on illness by encouraging all children and employees to have current immunizations and regular check-ups.

Tip #4: The centre should have stimulating curriculum, structured schedules that include physical activity, quiet time (including reading and rest), group and individual activities, meals, snacks, and free time. According to childcare experts, TV and videos should not be a regular part of a child’s day, though when used occasionally it is okay when educational and age appropriate. “A well-thought-out curriculum stimulates your child's development and makes daily life more fun,” explains Hurst. “Our centre has a wide range of resources that encourage development and inspires creativity.”

Tip #5: The centre should have qualified, caring staff. As we’ve mentioned earlier, the qualified staff often present an advantage over nannies and home day care providers. According to Hurst, “Ninety percent of our staff is either ECE or primary trained, qualified teachers and the remainder are currently in the process of training. They are extremely professional, love their work and constantly amaze me with their caring, patience, and selfless nature.” How a teacher interacts with the children should be something you look for on the tour. They should be prepared, confident, enthusiastic, and responsible. Again, don’t be afraid to make conversation with a staff member.

Tip #6: The centre should have clean, safe facilities. A good centre is a sanitary centre. Everything should be clean. Everything. Trash cans should be empty, walk ways should be clear, and sinks and bathrooms should be spotless. Don’t be afraid to snoop. A clean facility is a safe facility because toys are put away, hazardous substances are not visible or within reach, bedding is clean, etc. According to Hurst, newer childcare facilities are built to accommodate this kind of safety. “We have strict health and hygiene policies and practices. It helps starting with a new, purpose built centre, as you can include design elements that make it much easier for staff to keep the centre tidy in a practical way.”

Tip #7: Look for a neat outdoor play area. All children love to play outside when the sun is shining. If possible, find a centre with a great outdoor area. According to Nick Mattison, Senior Town Planner at Mt Hobson Group in Auckland, one of his favourite childcare centres is Hurst’s newest centre build. “The centre was designed specifically to accommodate a grove of trees that contributes to a high quality natural environment within the outdoor play area. The building has been designed to capture views of the outdoor area as much as possible, thereby enhancing the interaction between internal and external spaces.”

Tip #8: The centre should have a current licence. Ask to see the centres latest ERO review. The ERO review can also be found at www.ero.govt.nz.

Once you have found a day care that meets the above criteria, pat yourself on the back! Your child will be in good hands and you can relax knowing that your little one is safe and sound in a stimulating and fun environment! Good luck!

For more information, please contact Ben Hurst at Little Wonders Childcare benhurst@littlewonderschildcare.co.nz

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