| Choosing the Right Childcare, Daycare, Pre School | | | | as well. Childcare Centers employ a staff of |
| or Kindergarten is a challenge all parents face, so | | | | professional caregivers, many of whom will hold |
| to help you with this task I will elaborate on some | | | | certifications in early childhood education. Centers |
| of the many different types of childcare available | | | | are usually licensed and regulated by the state |
| today, ranging from private nannies to large | | | | that they operate in, and subject to random |
| childcare centers. Some have a strong formal | | | | inspections. This type of program should have |
| educational component and some are less formal | | | | written policies, procedures, and contracts for you |
| in their education policies. What your needs are will | | | | to review and will often have different age |
| be ultimately up to you and a personnel | | | | groups of children in the program. |
| preference. Read on for explanations of more | | | | Preschool |
| common options, and some non-conventional | | | | Preschool settings are designated for children age |
| options. | | | | 3-5. A preschool will have a structured curriculum |
| Private in-home caregivers | | | | that is designed to prepare children for |
| If you're looking for individualized care, you may | | | | kindergarten, prepared by a certified teacher. |
| wish to look for someone to provide childcare in | | | | Preschool Teachers create monthly lesson plans |
| your home, such as a Nanny. Nannies can be hired | | | | broken down by week/day, with planned activities |
| on a full-time or part-time basis, and would be | | | | relating to those lessons (units). Seasons, weather, |
| hired by you as a private contractor. Some | | | | animals, colors, numbers, plants, and space are |
| full-time nannies may even be willing to live in your | | | | some examples of common subjects that you |
| home if you wish, and housing can be arranged as | | | | might expect your child to learn about in a lesson |
| a component of their salary package. | | | | unit. There should be a focus on school readiness, |
| Family Childcare | | | | which will include not only classroom learning, but |
| This type of program is run in a provider's home, | | | | also personal care improvement, such as toileting, |
| for a small group of children and a limited number | | | | dressing, and hand washing. It is assumed that |
| of families. Depending on the number of children | | | | when a child graduates from Preschool he/she |
| cared for, the program may need to be | | | | has the necessary tools to smoothly transition to |
| registered with the state. Family Childcare | | | | kindergarten. |
| Programs must meet state regulations for things | | | | Religious-Based Programs |
| such as safety, quality care, and enrollment limits. | | | | Religious-based programs can be either strictly |
| Family childcare settings are ideal for children who | | | | care-based or preschool-based, and are often |
| prefer a home-like environment, with a small | | | | located in an area in a church or temple. They will |
| group of children and one primary provider. Hours | | | | typically focus on a curriculum that supports their |
| and payment terms may be more flexible with | | | | religious affiliation. You'll find programs for all ages - |
| this option, but all programs will have their own | | | | from infants to preschoolers, to kindergarten, and |
| policies. | | | | beyond. |
| Center-Based Childcare | | | | It should be noted that a childcare program |
| A center-based program typically serves a larger | | | | located in a church building may not necessarily be |
| group of children than a home-based program. | | | | affiliated with that church. Spaces can be leased, |
| Most centers will offer full-day programs and | | | | without religious affiliation. It's best to clarify with |
| some may offer morning or afternoon programs | | | | the program director what exactly the function is. |