When childcare isn’t working

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. M can turn out not to suit your child’s needs. My daughter attended a nursery that many other families told me was great, mainly due to its close proximity to the station. This ENT PROOF Ultimately, childcare should deliver peace of mind and that is certainly achievable when you have an arrangement that’s right for you. meant it was possible to get into the City by 9am (if you handed over your child at 8am on the dot!). But when our child was handed back to us at the end of the day, she was often covered in of of your advertisement for the . 107) of Families TVE.September/October Issue of Families TVE. Nursery Check List Know what you want. Make a list of what is important to you and ORMATI grime, had soiled clothing and was hurriedly given to us amongst an avalanche of other parents all arriving on the same train. This ON IS CORRECT especially Thames Vawhat areas you are flexible about. Do you have strict hours to stick to? Does childcare need to be close to your home or place lley East ers and asimply didn’t work for us. Thankfully, there was available space at an alternative pre-school, ddresses. of work? How far away from home are you willing to travel? Does the location need to fit around your other commitments? with a slower, more gentle approach and, due to its location, there was less of a bun fight at drop off and pick up. Thankfully I was in a position to adapt my needs to what was available where others were more beholden to office hours and strict routine. I was also fortunate that my daughter was my second child. I already knew of most of the childcare options in my area and had the confidence as a parent to understand that change was required. For first time parents, it may be challenging to get to the heart of what good quality care looks like for you. But, if the arrangement you have doesn’t feel right, you can re-arrange your choices. Choosing a new provider doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch, because having experienced care that you believe Check the Ofsted rating of providers by visiting their Ofsted page and reading all reports and letters past and present. Do ask other parents about their experiences but know that their opinion is subjective to their own list of needs which may well be different to yours. When you visit, make sure you see how the children interact with the staff and each other. A good provider will offer a calm environment where children feel free to be themselves, whether that is noisy or calm, inquisitive or introspective. Go with your gut – sometimes a setting just feels right. If it fulfils your logistical criteria and you get a good feeling about it, trust your instincts! T: 07867 514138 / 07753 414605 E: editor@familiestveast.co.uk Little People Media, 29 Furrow Way, Maidenhead SL6 3 NY made at this stage. will be charged for. n either to amend or approve your doesn’t suit your needs, you will be more aware of what is If you need help working out the best care for your family, or have important to you and your family. By eliminating what you don’t any questions about what to do when your childcare isn’t working want, you get closer to what will work. out as planned, visit www.parentalchoice.co.uk

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