Times have changed but here in 2011 we are still worrying about some of the same things we worried about in the 90′s, maybe even the 60′s or 70′s. Something that has not changed much in my opinion is raising our children. The bottom line is we want the very best for our children in all areas of life. Even though we may disagree with how we want our children to be educated early in life, we still agree that children need a good and strong foundation to start with. Children are our future. We have heard that time and time again. It is a true statement.

Who knows we may be raising the future president of the United States, or another Bill Gates. We as parents never know how our children will turn out or what they will become. We pray that they will be achievers and make a positive difference, but realistically we know that is not always the case. Parents you have to lay the foundation for your children and it must start as early as possible.

It starts when you have to make a decision as to who will take care of your young child or children when you have to work. Finding a childcare provider or a baby sitter that you can trust to instill some of the same values that you want your child to be raised with, is indeed a daunting task to say the least. The thought of leaving your child with someone you don’t know like the back of your hand is hard. Most times we don’t have a choice. We must find someone in order for us to work to pay the bills unless, we are fortunate enough to stay at home with our little ones until they are school age.

I remember the very first time I had to take my two years old to a preschool/daycare that was recommended to me. It was a preschool/daycare in a church and it had good reviews through word of mouth. When we got there on the first day, my heart was in my throat when my daughter started to cry and begged me not to leave her. I t was all I could do to hold back the tears myself and to encourage her to stay. I reassured her that she would have fun and I would pick her up when I finished work.

This is what parents have to go through, it is the worst thing in the world when you have realized you might have made a wrong choice and your child is not in good hands. That is why it is very important that you make sure you check out the provider or preschool/childcare center very carefully. Word of mouth is one of the best forms of reviews for childcare. Sometimes it is not enough and I don’t think that should be enough. Ask many questions until you are sure that is the right environment for your child. Observe the surroundings make sure there is a large enough yard for play and there is playground equipment. Some questions to keep in mind when you interview the potential daycare/preschool you are interested in for your small kids.

1. Find out what your child will be doing all day long (schedule)
2. What curriculum will be used (if formal teaching)
3. Do they toilet train (if needed)
4. Is lunch served (what type of lunch is it a balanced meal)
5. Snacks (what type and how many, are the snacks healthy)
6. Discipline (what happens when your child misbehaves what is done about it, type of discipline)
7. If child gets sick or an emergency (is parent called, emergency numbers over the phone? )
8. Child staff ratio (is it according to state requirements)
9. How long do they play (sufficient play time is important, especially outside)
10. How long do they sleep for nap time ( nap time no more than an hour)

(Elane Smith)

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• questions to ask when looking into preschool

A home daycare could be the perfect solution not only for you as a stay at home mom, but for your children by providing early social development and built-in playmates. It’s also helpful for stressed out moms in the workforce by giving them a more personal, flexible alternative to commercial daycare centers.
Many moms have to find a child-care solution. Most employers look on a woman with kids as a bad hiring risk, and of course will not be sympathetic if the daycare closes before the mom’s shift ends or her little one is not being well treated. As for time off if the baby is sick and the daycare bans them for a week – forget it.
A home daycare could be the answer these mothers are looking for, customarily offering an environment that has less children and more personal attention. They also will get to know you well, and feel more comfortable knowing their child is well cared for.
Before you start a daycare, however, you should make sure you can meet the standards in place where you live. Every state has rules and regulations, and you want to make sure you follow the law.
You have the option of deciding what age children you will accept, and how much you will charge – although there may be set standards if you decide to qualify as a state provider. This can help you if you would like a guaranteed check for your services, as you can be paid by the state to care for children from low income families.
The upside to starting a daycare is that you will be able to continue as a stay at home mom and not have to miss out on your own children’s first years! You can also find other at home jobs to do in your spare time to make more supplemental income.
There is a downside too, of course. Realize that it won’t always be easy. There will be sick kids, crazy days when your house is left in a disastrous mess, and those parents who decide that their dry cleaning bill comes before their childcare tab.
This last is perhaps the hardest to deal with – and you must take a firm hand to nip such behavior in the bud. Make it clear in a kind but definitive way that you need to be paid on time, every time, or you will be unable to watch the child.
If you draw up a clear document of your policies, and make sure you each get a signed copy, you can head off a world of potential hurt, so protect yourself from as much unpleasantness as you can by making the rules very plain from day one.
Hopefully your home daycare will prosper and you will have a great relationship with the children and parents alike. Then you will have found a perfect way to supplement your income without ever leaving your home!