Frequently Asked Questions on Children and Putting Them in Day Care Centers

Q: What are the precautions that I should takeBe Positive
note when I let my child play on the playground?Always make your child feel positive whenever
Impact-Absorbing Materialyou prepare to take him to the day care center.
It is most recommended that the children will beThis could be done by issuing less reminders to
made to play on a playground that has anthe child. Constant issuing of reminders just
impact-absorbing material within its area.makes your child feel more anxious. Say hello and
Impact-absorbing materials help in reducing thegoodbye to the staff and the other children in the
risk of injury to the children in case of falling.center whenever you drop your child there.
Play ClothesQ: How could I help reduce the costs of child
Children must be dressed appropriately for thecare?
activities on the playground. As much as possible,Share a Spot!
clothing that has ribbons, chains, drawstrings, andIf there is a family member or a close friend that
any other material that is hanging must not becould watch your child in a day within a week,
used. This is to avoid accidental strangulation whenthen just drop your child to him. Other centers
the child is playing.allows sharing of time spots. This could perhaps
Playground Equipmentbe considered as well.
Before a child will be allowed to play on aVolunteer Your Time
playground, check first if the playgroundYou could also volunteer yourself to be at the
equipments are still in its proper condition. Someday care center at some of your time. When you
of the dangers or hazards that must be lookeddo this, there is a chance that you could get a
upon are the following: protruding objects,discount from the center. You could do this by
exposed footings, missing or broken parts, andtaking less time perhaps from shopping or from
improper anchoring.doing other responsibilities like doing the laundry.
Skill LevelsFinancial Aid/Scholarships
Keep your children away from equipments of theCheck also if there are childcare programs that
playground that are still not appropriate for theirthe government is providing. In doing this, you
skill level and size. Put them instead on thosemay contact the social services department within
equipments that is more geared on their level ofyour locality.
dexterity.Q: Should I take time finding out whether the
Supervisionfoods served are meeting the guidlines set by the
Supervision is very important. Never allow yourUSDA?
children to play if there is no adult supervisingFoods and Meal Times
them. There is a less chance that other childrenIt is very important that a day care is meeting
will shove and push another child if there is anthe nutrition that your child is supposed to receive.
adult that is present.This is the most important aspect of a day care.
Q: If my child is aggressive when he is at dayCheck if the day care is providing your child with
care but not when he is at home what do I do?nutritious foods and is serving a well-balanced diet.
Aggressive BehaviourTo do this, check their menu. Also, ensure that
Whenever a child behaves aggressively if he is atthe special dietary needs of your children (such as
the day care or if he is with large groups, theif they have allergies) are being met.
child is most likely just getting overwhelmed. TheQ: How do I prevent my child from acquiring bad
best that could be done is to talk to the providerhabits?
and know about how your child aggressivelyPeer Pressure and Bad Habits
behaves and in what conditions does he doesWhenever your child starts imitating a trait that
such acts.he claims he has learned from a peer, do not taint
Usually, children doing this are just wanting to grabthe image of your child's peer. This might
some attention from his provider or from hisdisappoint the child and make him feel sad for the
peers. If this is the case, it is recommended topeer might be a good source of company to him
transfer your child to a day care that has aor someone he idolizes. Make your child
smaller group so that he will then receive theunderstand that the habit is bad rather than his
attention he needs. The usual scenario is thatpeer is bad. Tell him that the bad trait should be
children are just in need of some extra attention.overcome and not be imitated in a nice manner.
After this, they will then be more ready to dealQ: What is better to serve to children, fresh or
with bigger groups. The maturity of children is notfrozen vegetables?
uniform. It is best to let them progress at aFresh or Frozen Veggies?
comfortable pace.There is no right or wrong answer to this. Both
Q: How could I make my child feel the he is likedare providing nutrition that are needed by the
and accepted?children. In fact, some vegetables that are
Arrange Playdatescommercially processed are sometimes even
Usually, kids feel despondent whenever they aremore nutritious than the natural vegetables.
unable to do something that another child can.Q: Do all day cares their clients pay for the days
Also, they feel despondent whenever there arethat your child missed?
other children who do not like them. To deal withPaying for Sick days
this, greet the other children as well wheneverMost of the day care centers plan for the what
you drop your child to the day care center. In thisthey have to provide to your child based on what
way, the other children will come up to you asdates you said your child would be present. That's
well as to your child to say hello. If possible,why, they are usually letting you pay for days
arrange some play dates with these children towhen your child will be absent. Hoever, not all day
play with your children. The best way to makecare centers are like this. There are still centers
your child feel less inferior is by making him morewho just charges you depending on the
involved with his peers.appearance of your child to the center.