Draw up a list
You can get a list of all registered childcare in the county
from Kent Children's Information Service by calling free on 08000
32 32 30.
Save time by phoning several places and asking a few key questions
rather than visiting them all. You need to know if places are
available now, or will be in the near future.
Check if there are any age restrictions, as some nurseries do not
offer care for babies or children under two.
Is it convenient for your home and work? Are the hours they offer
and the cost what you had in mind?
Arrange a visit
You should make appointments to visit at least two or three
examples of your chosen form of childcare.
Make sure these are during times when the carer is looking after
other children, you can see how the children behave and how the
carer reacts and responds. The children should be happy and calm in
a stimulating environment, and be well supervised at all
times.
Take your child with you so you can observe how the carers relate
to him/her. Do they chat to him/her, offer a cuddle, try to engage
his/her interest?
Do they have a settling-in policy? Take a list of other questions
in case you are side-tracked or distracted.
Time to choose
Once you have a shortlist, double-check that everything meets
your requirements, suitability, cost, availability, location and do
a dummy run to check it's going to fit into your schedule.
Then, it's decision time! Speak to other parents who use the same
care and listen to their experiences and opinions.
Don't be afraid to go for a second visit if you have any doubts, a
good childcarer will welcome this.
Confirming your decision
Now is the time to double-check all the details of the
arrangement, the hours, pay and conditions, how you secure your
place until your child starts (do you need a deposit or retainer
fee?) and how the settling-in period will work.
Get it in writing
You must use a contract or formal written agreement containing
details of pay, hours and conditions to ensure there is no room for
misinterpretation or disagreement in the future.
Nurseries will usually give you an agreement to sign, so read it
carefully.
Contracts for childminders are available from the National
Childminding Association on 0800 169 4486 or contact Parents At
Work on 020 7628 3578 for a nanny contract that can be adapted.
Contract details should cover:
- the retainer fee until your child starts
- arrangements for sickness - what you pay if your child or the
carer is sick
- holiday pay - when you are on holiday and when the carer is
away
hours and days your child will attend
- amount you will pay
- what the costs cover (eg, nappies)
- you can make additions (eg, notice
period).
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