Making Child Care Work
With a little planning, the transition to child care or to a new caregiver can go smoothly. Here are some ideas to help prepare you and your child for this step. Your caregiver may also have suggestions.
Show that you feel comfortable with your choice.
Even young children can sense when a parent is anxious. Be positive and confident about the new caregiver.
Talk with your child.
Talk with your child about what he/she will do at the new program Ñ for example, an activity you observed, toys you saw when you visited or where lunch is served. For some children, engaging in play-acting about going to child care can help relieve anxiety and add to the excitement.
If possible, start gradually.
Visit the caregiver with your child — several times, if you can. If the caregiver is willing, allow your child to stay with the caregiver without you for short amounts of time.
Adjust naptime.
If possible, change your child's naptime in advance to match the new caregiver's routine.
Take a favorite item along.
A blanket, a favorite photo or a treasured stuffed animal can be a comfort to your child during time away from you. It's a good idea to check with your caregiver first before bringing items.
Make drop-off and pick-up a happy time.
If you build a familiar routine, your child knows what to expect when you leave and return. Allow enough time in the morning so that no one feels rushed. A special good-bye ritual can be reassuring to both of you. Never slip away without saying good-bye. Try to pick your child up at the same time every day.
Don't forget to take care of you.
Sometimes, a new child care arrangement is more difficult for parents than for children. Some parents find it reassuring to check in with the caregiver to see how things are going.
Communicating with Your Caregiver
You and your caregiver are partners in caring for your child. It's very important to everyone — you, your child and the caregiver — that you communicate regularly with one another. Ongoing communication can help you feel more involved with your child's care and help build a solid, trusting relationship.
Touch base with your caregiver at drop-off and at pick-up times. These brief exchanges of important information, such as your child having had a restless night or not wanting to eat much lunch, can help provide a smooth transition between child care and home. In addition, develop a system with your caregiver to get more in-depth information. Some caregivers have a bulletin board or newsletter. You can also talk on the phone, exchange notes or schedule meetings.
What you can do
- Share changes in your child's eating, napping or toileting habits; changes in mood; likes and dislikes.
- Report significant family changes, such as a new pet, moving to a new home or a visitor.
- Ask how your child is doing in the program.
- Abide by your caregiver's policies.
- Show appreciation by expressing thanks, writing a note, bringing a treat, volunteering to help, etc.
What the caregiver can do
- Discuss changes in your child's eating, napping or toileting habits; changes in mood; likes and dislikes.
- Report issues with other children in a way that respects the privacy of other families and provide positive suggestions for action.
- Introduce new children in the group.
- Keep you informed regarding contagious illnesses.
- Update you on program changes such as staff or schedule.
- Inform you of new activities.
Monitoring your child's program
You are the best judge of whether a program is working for your child and family. That's why it is very important that you monitor your child's program continuously. Caregivers should welcome parent visits at any time. However, keep in mind that certain times of the day are very busy and the caregiver may have limited time to spend with you.
How to monitor
- Make unexpected visits.
- Occasionally stay a little longer when you drop off or pick up your child.
- Occasionally pick your child up at a time different from your normal time.
- Volunteer to help with special events or field trips.
- Arrange a conference to talk with your caregiver about your child or any concerns.
As children grow, their needs change. Programs and enrollments may also change over time. It's important to evaluate your choice of care regularly.
Reporting serious complaints
Parents play a key role in monitoring the quality of child care and assuring the safety of their children. Complaints about programs can range from cleanliness and contract disputes to the more serious licensing violations, such as too many children and inappropriate discipline. We encourage you to address minor complaints directly with the caregiver, but in serious cases it is recommended that you report directly to the licensing agency. Parents should never hesitate to report any concern that affects a child's health and safety. Licensing complaints are kept confidential. For serious violations a program may be put on probation with a conditional license, fined or have the license revoked. For licensing information about a particular provider, visit Licensing Information Lookup page at the Department of Human Services.
Prepare for the Unexpected: Back-up Care
You need a plan in place for back-up care for those times when your child is sick, or your caregiver is sick or on vacation. Your caregiver should have written policies about sick and vacation time. Check your contract to see if you are required to pay when your child does not attend or your provider is unavailable. Remember to prepare your child when there will be substitute caregivers — for example, visiting the back-up providers with your child ahead of time.
Options for back-up care
- Neighbors, friends or relatives may be able to help if you ask them in advance and discuss arrangements (whose home, how much notice, payment, etc.).
- You, your spouse or partner may be able to stay home from work to care for your child. Be sure to check with your employer about company policies.
- Talk with your employer and co-workers about working from home, if possible, when your child is sick.
- Investigate sick-child care services in your area (may not be available statewide). Some agencies have staff who come to your home to care for a sick child. This option may be convenient, but it can be expensive. For a list of sick-child care services, call your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency.
The Minnesota Parental Leave Law
State law allows you to leave work to attend a child's conference or activity. You may also leave work to drop in on your child care provider. Try to arrange time off with your employer in advance. The parental leave law applies to all employees in Minnesota and allows them up to 16 hours of unpaid leave in a year. This law applies to all children (from birth through twelfth grade) who are in a family child care home; a child care center; a half-day or preschool program; Head Start; pre-kindergarten; regular or special education; or school.
Contract with Your Provider
Many child care providers have a written contract that outlines expectations of both the provider and the parents. Read the contract carefully before signing it. If you both agree, the contract can be changed to accommodate your wishes.
Contracts typically address the following:
- The cost of child care, when payment is expected, overtime fees, vacations and paid/unpaid holidays.
- Policies for discipline, transportation, meals and field trips.
- Arrival and pick-up times and penalties for late pick-up.
- Back-up plans: how to handle emergencies or when the provider is sick, guidelines for determining if your child is too sick for child care, etc.
- Changing or ending the contract: when and how to change or end it by either the parents or provider.
The Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network is a member of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and is funded in part by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. |
To connect to your local Resource and Referral agency: 1-888-291-9811 Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network Email: info@mnchildcare.org © 2008 Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network
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