Post by Admin on Sept 24, 2007 21:49:18 GMT -5
If you are considering enrolling your child in a daycare program, you have probably realized that all programs are not equal. Many programs offer similar services but can vary in quality. As you visit or tour programs, choosing the best place for your child, you may wish to review the following checklist:
The Environment
Is the physical environment a bright, colorful and inviting place?
Is the environment designed with children in mind? Furniture should be child sized. Materials should be accessible. Displays should be at the child's eye level.
Are the toys and materials plentiful, age appropriate and in good repair?
Family Involvement
Does the program have an "open door" policy where you are welcome to drop by and visit whenever you wish?
Are parents encouraged to participate in program planning and events?
Will you be regularly informed of your child's progress and daycare experiences?
Are general program policies and procedures available to you in writing?
The Staff
Do the caregivers have training and experience working with children?
Do caregivers interact one-on-one with children in a warm and responsive way?
Are caregivers responsible for small groups of children? It is aganst the law for a home daycare to have more than 5 daycare children under the age of 10 years old at ANY given time.
Do caregivers only use positive discipline techniques?
Is there a low turn-over in staffing? Will there be a consistent caregiver for your child to develop a relationship with?
The Program
Are there daily opportunities for free play? Is there a balance between quiet and active, large and small group activities? Are there daily opportunities for outdoor or very active play?
Does the program or curriculum reflect a sensitivity and respect for those from diverse ethnic and cultural groups?
Do the activities promote growth in different areas of development including, physical growth, social skills, emotional growth, verbal skills, cognitive ability and creativity?
This checklist is only a brief overview of what to consider when choosing a quality daycare program for your child.
From: daycare.about.com/library/weekly/aa013000a.htm
The Day Nurseries Act
In Ontario, an unlicenced homedaycare Provider may care for up to 5 children under the age of 10 years old at any given time. This applies per household, not per adult. If two Providers are running a daycare together, they may only have 5 daycare children combined. The Providers own children do not count in the 5 children allowed. Any children under the Providers care that the Provider is not recieving payment for (ie: relatives) do not count. Before and after school children and part timers do count in the 5 children allowed. Even if a child only attends daycare for 1 hour a week, the Provider must count him or her in her 5 children allowed. This law is intended to keep kids safe. If your Provider is caught with more than 5 daycare children, she will be given 24 hours to get down to 5 children. If she fails to do so, she may be fined $1000/day and may even be jailed. If this happens, you may be forced to find a new Provider without notice. Is that a risk you want to take? One on one attention is very important for the safety and wellbeing of children. When interviewing a Provider, always ask how many children she cares for any given time. Ask to see a copy of her enrollment list.
To be licenced in Ontario, a home daycare Provider must work with an agency. Licenced home daycares may care for 5 children under the age of 6 including the Providers own children. No more than 2 children can be under 2 years old and no more than 3 children can be under 3 years old. The Provider may not have more than 5
The Environment
Is the physical environment a bright, colorful and inviting place?
Is the environment designed with children in mind? Furniture should be child sized. Materials should be accessible. Displays should be at the child's eye level.
Are the toys and materials plentiful, age appropriate and in good repair?
Family Involvement
Does the program have an "open door" policy where you are welcome to drop by and visit whenever you wish?
Are parents encouraged to participate in program planning and events?
Will you be regularly informed of your child's progress and daycare experiences?
Are general program policies and procedures available to you in writing?
The Staff
Do the caregivers have training and experience working with children?
Do caregivers interact one-on-one with children in a warm and responsive way?
Are caregivers responsible for small groups of children? It is aganst the law for a home daycare to have more than 5 daycare children under the age of 10 years old at ANY given time.
Do caregivers only use positive discipline techniques?
Is there a low turn-over in staffing? Will there be a consistent caregiver for your child to develop a relationship with?
The Program
Are there daily opportunities for free play? Is there a balance between quiet and active, large and small group activities? Are there daily opportunities for outdoor or very active play?
Does the program or curriculum reflect a sensitivity and respect for those from diverse ethnic and cultural groups?
Do the activities promote growth in different areas of development including, physical growth, social skills, emotional growth, verbal skills, cognitive ability and creativity?
This checklist is only a brief overview of what to consider when choosing a quality daycare program for your child.
From: daycare.about.com/library/weekly/aa013000a.htm
The Day Nurseries Act
In Ontario, an unlicenced homedaycare Provider may care for up to 5 children under the age of 10 years old at any given time. This applies per household, not per adult. If two Providers are running a daycare together, they may only have 5 daycare children combined. The Providers own children do not count in the 5 children allowed. Any children under the Providers care that the Provider is not recieving payment for (ie: relatives) do not count. Before and after school children and part timers do count in the 5 children allowed. Even if a child only attends daycare for 1 hour a week, the Provider must count him or her in her 5 children allowed. This law is intended to keep kids safe. If your Provider is caught with more than 5 daycare children, she will be given 24 hours to get down to 5 children. If she fails to do so, she may be fined $1000/day and may even be jailed. If this happens, you may be forced to find a new Provider without notice. Is that a risk you want to take? One on one attention is very important for the safety and wellbeing of children. When interviewing a Provider, always ask how many children she cares for any given time. Ask to see a copy of her enrollment list.
To be licenced in Ontario, a home daycare Provider must work with an agency. Licenced home daycares may care for 5 children under the age of 6 including the Providers own children. No more than 2 children can be under 2 years old and no more than 3 children can be under 3 years old. The Provider may not have more than 5