Your action checklist from the Daycare Trust.

Visit several childcare providers before you decide who will help look after and educate your child.

Here are ten ‘Quality Pointers’ to look for:

1. are the children relaxed and do they seem to be enjoying themselves?
2. are the staff listening to the children and are they joining in with the children’s activities?
3. do the staff seem friendly and proud of their work?
4. is the building pleasant, clean and welcoming?
5. is there a fun and safe outside play space?
6. are different cultures positively represented in the toys, books and wall displays?
7. do children and staff represent the ethnic and cultural groups that live locally?
8. are there lots of fun toys and activities for children?
9. is the area child-centred - with child-sized furniture and with wall displays that children have made themselves?
10. are you and your child welcomed - by staff and by the children?

Here are ten questions you can ask when you visit prospective childcarers:

1. how long have you been working with children?
2. have you done any training?
3. do you like this job? why?
4. what other children will be with my child? (for nurseries and playgroups: do you operate a keyworker scheme?)
5. how do you spend the day and how will the other children’s schedules fit with my child?
6. where will my child rest?
7. do you make outside visits and trips? where to?
8. what sorts of meals do you give the children?
9. can I see your registration certificate? (nannies are not registered)
10. do you keep records about the children’s progress? and how will we exchange information and communicate?

Other watch points:

Do

• ask for at least two references from other parents and follow them up
• prepare questions for your visit
• organise a settling in period for your child before you go back to work
• encourage your home-based carer to start a network of friends with children
• equip a nanny to provide interesting play for the child - sand, paint, clay or dough and aprons for her and the child and show her local parks and children’s services
• express your appreciation to your child’s carers
• investigate further if your child appears unhappy with her childcarer or if she is not thriving. Acknowledge her feelings and seek advice from the childcarer or your health visitor or Under Eights Advisor in the local authority.

• forget looking after your child is a demanding and vitally important job
• ignore a child’s difficulties if she seems unhappy
• skimp on pay and conditions if you want to hold on to your nanny or childminder

For information about childcare in your area see Childcare Link website.