Meeting New Parents and Children
The demands of family responsibilities and commitments, jobs, and the strains of striving to pay the bills and meet the needs of family and friends can be overwhelming for many new, and experienced, parents. One of the best things a childcare provider can do to help assure parents that his or her child or children are going to be in good hands is to show them and tell them that every child is special in your eyes.
Getting to know the parents is one way the childcare providers can best care for the needs of children. Many parents will have doubts and feel guilty for leaving their child with you, but unfortunately, doing so is often necessary to earn a living.
Many parents who drop off their children at your doorstep will worry that you will eventually take their place as the major role model in their child's life. However, babies, toddlers, and small children can never get too much love, comfort, or security. Yes, many parents will be jealous of the time that you spend with their children, but assure them whenever necessary that they are the parents and you are providing extracurricular care - not replacing them as a surrogate parent.
Show parents that you care about their child by asking them when they last ate, how they're feeling, if they need a nap, and other such questions that will assure them that you will take care of their child's needs. In addition, it helps when the childcare provider is also in tune with the parents and shows them concern and compassion as well.
Working parents often take childcare providers for granted. There are times when parents and children may complain about some aspect of the care that you provide. Learning how to deal with these issues in a calm and mature manner is essential not only to your reputation, but also your business. Discuss such issues with parents away from the presence of children and try to be as agreeable as you can in a way that does not endanger your business operation.
Daycare providers are often encouraged to remember the old saying, "The customer is always right". However, if you disagree with a parent, discuss pertinent issues politely and try to find a middle ground where both you and the parents will be happy, and the safety and the security of the child is always assured.
When meeting parents and children for the first time, avoid making snap decisions, as this is a time where everyone is going to be nervous or on edge. Children may feel insecure and unhappy, parents may feel guilty, and you, the daycare provider, needs to understand that it will take at least a week or two for child and parents to settle into some sort of a comfortable pattern.
Generally, those living in cities and suburbs are able to charge slightly higher fees than those living in a rural or agricultural community. Fees are higher because the cost of living is higher. Local or state childcare agencies will be able to help you determine average weekly fees for your area if necessary.
If you live in a agricultural or blue-collar community, you're not going to able to charge as much as you would in a city or where most of your clients are executive or white collar workers, so take demographics into consideration.
The age of the children who you will be watching and providing care for will also determine the type of fees that are charged. Infants and toddlers generally require more time and effort than preschoolers, and then onto school age children. You should not charge as much for a child that you have after school hours as you would for a child you have all day, but that may also be dependent upon the needs of every individual child.
Parents should always be asked to inform the childcare provider, who, in addition to the parents, is allowed to pick up the children if they are not available. Whenever possible, individuals permitted to pick up the child should be listed on a paper with their name, address, phone number, and relation to the family. It is also suggested the childcare providers obtain a photo of these people in order to ensure their identity before children are released into their care.
Applications for childcare should include basic contact information, protocol in case of emergencies, and some sort of history on the developmental or health history of every child. At this time, childcare providers should ask about details about the child's development, and about any special health care needs.
Medical consent forms, permission to treat forms and forms outlining your discipline policies should always be handed out prior to a parent signing his or her application for childcare. Make sure that the parent understands all your policies and procedures. Other policy forms may mention communication guidelines, complaint forms, potty training, and clothing requirements. For example, if Sally's mother does not want Sally's school dress to get dirty, she needs to provide the daycare provider with a change of clothing for Sally to outside and play in.
Forms should be kept in a file drawer or box for the duration of care for any child. Records need to be updated and as accurate as possible and should never be shown to outsiders. Some daycare providers also have a file cabinet, drawer, or box filled with activity ideas for arts and crafts, recipes, and events that may help to provide well-rounded activity schedules for children in multiple age groups.
Structure Basics
Meals and Snacks Planning
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· Fresh fruit · Dried fruit · Crackers · Cheese · Raw vegetables |
However, keep in mind the toddlers and small children can be extremely finicky. One of your children may only agree to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, while another only wants oranges. Learning how to deal with each child's likes and dislikes will certainly provide a challenge to childcare providers. Of course, childcare providers cannot spend a major part of their day planning and preparing meals that cater to each child's likes and dislikes. Instead, preparing and planning meals in weekly or monthly chunks will help cut down on both spending and waste. Offer two, and only two, choices to keep grocery costs down.
Whenever possible, post your proposed meal plan so that children as well as parents can see what is on the menu every day. Childcare providers should make sure that children who are allergic or sensitive to certain foods are provided alternatives when appropriate.
Young children don't need to be provided elaborate meals, and in all truthfulness, simpler is better. For example, breakfast items may include the basics such as cold and hot cereal, fresh fruit, bran muffins, and yogurt. Lunchtime meals may include but are not limited to, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, vegetable soup, tuna sandwiches, or Sloppy Joes. Snacks may include granola bars, raw vegetables, applesauce, celery and peanut butter, and items like soft pretzels or tortilla chips and salsa.
The age mix of the children in your care will determine what types of activities and schedules you plan for. Remember that infants take a lot of individual time and commitment, and toddlers are extremely active, have short attention spans, and will require almost constant visual contact. Preschoolers have longer attention spans, like to play with each other, and school-age children are generally happy doing just about anything.
Daily schedules should include nap times, mealtimes, free play as well as structured play or activities devised by a childcare provider that may include but is not limited to story time, coloring activities, arts and crafts, or outdoors games.
Schedules will also depend on hours of operation, how many children are present during the morning and afternoon hours, and of course, the age ranges of the children in your care.
Children up to the age of five will generally take a nap or have a quiet time in the morning or afternoon. Specifying a scheduled naptime or rest time during certain points during the day will help avoid arguments and will help day care providers "recharge their batteries". Children who don't want to go to sleep should be encouraged to just rest or play quietly without talking to allow those who wish to sleep or doze do so.
Many childcare providers allow children in their care to have free playtime to do as they please or play with the toys they want, independently or in groups. Boys generally like to play outdoors more frequently than girls, a fact that most childcare providers are well aware of. Indoor play is also fun for many children, and a corner of the den or living room may provide adequate space for doing so.
Toys and games should be offered so that all age groups will have something to play with, but also keep in mind that many children like to play with common household items such as cardboard boxes and pots and pan – but avoid items that may prove dangerous to infants were toddlers!
Structured playtime includes activities or group play that are directed by the childcare provider. This type of activity may include telling stories, singing songs, or telling jokes. Activities may be geared for free or structured play and may include finger painting, coloring, modeling clay, or crafts geared toward holidays and special events.
While it is nearly impossible for parents, let alone child day care providers, to meet every need for every child, childcare providers should make an effort to understand the basic needs and requirements of every child in her care. Some children need a little extra TLC, while others are more independent. Some play better with others in a group while some prefer to be left alone.
As with anyone, there are days when children may be more emotional than others. Anger, moodiness, sadness, frustration and confusion are common for many children in child care scenarios, and it is up to the childcare provider to offer comfort or the opportunity to express feelings whenever possible. If you notice a child is having difficulty adjusting to the childcare setting or with other children, speak to the parents and find ways in which both of you can encourage and support the child.
