Early Years
What to Do When Childcare Isn’t Working? By Sharon Betts
No matter how much research goes into our choices, sometimes Remember that young children are adaptable. Every day is a new our childcare arrangements don’t work out as we planned. For a learning experience for them, and change, when approached variety of reasons, the nursery that your best friend raves about appropriately, can be an adventure and not a disruption. can turn out not to suit your child’s needs. Ultimately, childcare should deliver peace of mind and that is My daughter attended a nursery that many other families told me certainly achievable when you have an arrangement that’s right was great, mainly due to its close proximity to the station. This for you. of of yourmeant advertisement for the it was possible to get into the City by 9am (if you handed Nursery Check List over child at 8am on the dot!). But when our child was 107) of Families e.of Families TVE.yourTVE. handed back to us at the end of the day, she was often covered in Know what you want. Make a list of what is important to you and what areas you are flexible about. Do you have strict hours to grime, had soiled clothing and was hurriedly given to us amongst stick to? Does childcare need to be close to your home or place anIS avalanche of especially other parents all arriving on the same train. This ORMATION CORRECT of work? How far away from home are you willing to travel? Does simply didn’t work for us. ers and addresses. Thankfully, there was available space at an alternative pre-school, the location need to fit around your other commitments? Check the Ofsted rating of providers by visiting their Ofsted a slower, more gentle approach and, due to its location, made at thiswith stage. T: 07867 514138 / page 07753and 414605 reading all reports and letters past and present. there was less of a bun fight at drop off and pick up. Thankfully I will be charged for.a position to adapt my needs to what was available was in where E: editor@familiestveast.co.uk Do ask other parents about their experiences but know that others were more beholden to office hours and strict routine. their opinion is subjective to their own list of needs which may Littlechild. People 29be Furrow Way, n either to Iamend or approve your was also fortunate that my daughter was my second I Media, well different to yours. already knew of most of the childcare options in my area and Maidenhead SL6 3When NY you visit, make sure you see how the children interact had the confidence as a parent to understand that change was with the staff and each other. A good provider will offer a calm required. environment where children feel free to be themselves, whether For first time parents, it may be challenging to get to the heart of that is noisy or calm, inquisitive or introspective. what good quality care looks like for you. But, if the arrangement Go with your gut – sometimes a setting just feels right. If it fulfils you have doesn’t feel right, you can re-arrange your choices. your logistical criteria and you get a good feeling about it, trust Choosing a new provider doesn’t necessarily mean starting your instincts! from scratch, because having experienced care that you believe If you need help working out the best care for your family, or have doesn’t suit your needs, you will be more aware of what is any questions about what to do when your childcare isn’t working important to you and your family. By eliminating what you don’t out as planned, visit www.parentalchoice.co.uk want, you get closer to what will work.
MENT PROOF
Thames Valley East
our n y!
the Windsor Road, Little Muddy Me is school where children aged 2-5 can surroundings in a nurturing, safe and They will climb trees, use tools, swing the mud kitchen, hunt for bugs, cosy e tepee and cook on a camp fire.
nformation please email littleme-preschool.co.uk ww.muddyme-preschool.co.uk
14
Maidenhead Windsor Marlow Ascot Slough Egham
familiesonline.co.uk
