Good early childhood programs create and offer on a day to day basis a partnership between your family and their teacher caregivers. 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. 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. 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. 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.
- Each infant has a primary caregiver so the caregiver and baby get to know each other very well and create a healthy happy relationship.
- During routines such as diaper changing, feeding and changing clothes caregivers are attentive and talk to the babies with smiles and comforting voices.
- 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.
- 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. o Caregivers at all times can see and hear all babies.
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.
- Diaper changing table is organized with diapering supplies and extra clothes in arms reach. o Carpeted floors are free of objects that might trip caregivers or children.
- First Aid kit is readily available and caregivers have knowledge in first aid, CPR and other emergency procedures.
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. Working together parents and caregiver can successfully work through this period of adjustment. Parents, you may have a difficult time too, so give yourself time to adjust. Find out before hand how a program handles transitions.
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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