| > | | | | the caregiver with four babies but the heart |
| The new crop of parents is beginning to check in | | | | understands things differently. The heart does not |
| with the daycare administrative staff. First | | | | want the baby to cry or wait ever |
| question: How much does it cost? Since often | | | | Leaving a child in daycare often brings feelings of |
| they are first-time parents they don’t | | | | sadness and guilt for parents. Perhaps a relative |
| have a clue about costs, availability or wait lists. | | | | has expressed displeasure however slight over |
| So, armed with the usual list of questions from | | | | their decision to use daycare. Pointing to the high |
| the professionals’ baby books, they seek | | | | fees involved may be used as a scapegoat |
| information about costs, fill out applications, pay | | | | argument. |
| application fees, and make personal visits to the | | | | Parents know if they employee a nanny their child |
| daycares they are interested in. Most of the time | | | | could have a one on one relationship. They also |
| they will assume there will be space for their child | | | | worry about the horror stories they have heard |
| whenever they want it. Most of the time they will | | | | when the nanny is alone with the child. And they |
| expect to pay for child care only when they use | | | | worry about the days the nanny will call in sick |
| it. The new crop of parents is beginning to check | | | | and leave them stranded for child care no doubt |
| in with the daycare administrative staff. First | | | | on the day of the big meeting at the office. |
| question How much does it cost Since often they | | | | These topics provide us with the opportunity to |
| are first time parents they do not have a clue | | | | discuss the meaning of group living. Daycare is far |
| about costs availability or wait lists. | | | | from perfect. However the first thing it offers for |
| So armed with the usual list of questions from | | | | the high tuition fees is submission to a licensing |
| the professionals baby books they seek | | | | agency which monitors its staff policies and space. |
| information about costs fill out applications pay | | | | This license promises that professionals will |
| application fees and make personal visits to the | | | | routinely make visits both announced and |
| daycares they are interested in. Most of the time | | | | unannounced to the facility to maintain a high |
| they will assume there will be space for their child | | | | standard of care. Such reports are public |
| whenever they want it. Most of the time they will | | | | knowledge and parents are able to contact their |
| expect to pay for child care only when they use | | | | local licensing agency to an up to date review of a |
| it. Most of the time they are surprised to learn | | | | particular daycare. |
| that they are purchasing a child care slot which | | | | Daycare can also provide caregivers who will be |
| they will pay for whether their child uses that | | | | expected to have minimum skills in caring for |
| spot or not. Purchasing a slot is a lot like getting | | | | children. Among those skills are CPR first aid |
| married in sickness and in health This will be one | | | | medication administration and a general |
| of the first lessons they will be introduced to | | | | understanding of early childhood development and |
| regarding childcare. | | | | education. Centers that are dedicated to the well |
| Comparison shopping for childcare produces some | | | | being of young children demand their staff have |
| very interesting questions. Exactly what is included | | | | professional days to upgrade their skills. |
| in the fee Parents voice their wish list. Most | | | | In the end parents will find a comfort level for |
| parents whether they can verbalize it or not | | | | themselves and their children. And while the cost |
| sincerely hope their child will have a one on one | | | | of childcare is for many families the largest |
| situation. Of course intellectually parents realize a | | | | portion of their family budget they often decide it |
| class size will be set by the appropriate licensing | | | | is worth every penny to know that a daycare |
| agency. They are told it may be four babies to | | | | program is vigorously monitored. |
| one caregiver. They visit the classroom and see | | | | |