If your son/daughter is quickly reaching the age when they are ready for childcare, you have come to the right place, as we offer information on common mistakes parents make when choosing an early learning program for their young child.
- Enrol without a visit – You might be pushed for time, and their website looked great, so no need to visit the childcare facility! Wrong! The only way that you can be sure that your child is going into a safe and caring environment is to physically go there and spend a few hours. You can usually book a tour via their website, or you might need to call; prepare a few questions and be attentive and observant. When you visit a North Ryde early learning centre, you should see happy kids and organised activities, with a mixture of experienced carers and trainees.
- Do not prepare your child – If you don’t say anything and one day, you dress them up, and after a car trip, they find themselves in a strange new environment, without any warning. You should explain that you are both going out tomorrow, and it will be lots of fun. Children pick up on tension, so if you are feeling anxious about leaving Junior, he will sense this, and that could lead to tears.
- Choosing a venue too far away – You may have found the best childcare centre in Australia, but if it is further than 30 minutes by car, you either have to find a different facility or relocate to be closer. Children should not spend more than 1 hour (in total) per day travelling to and from school, so bear this in mind. Google can bring up a list of local institutions, and wherever you are in Australia, you are never far from a childcare centre or kindergarten program.
- Sending your child too soon – This will simply lead to anxiety and possibly a dislike for the centre, making it hard to re-enter at a later date. Consult your doctor or paediatrician about the right time to start an early learning program. The healthcare professional will know when the child is ready and can advise you on the best way to prepare.
- Visiting unannounced – Every early learning program is busy, and they have routines and sufficient staff members for their work; if someone turns up out of the blue, the centre would not be able to host them, and if they did, it would be at the expense of the kids, so always call and book a visit. Most childcare providers will have a tour booking section on their website, which is the most convenient way to book your visit.
Choosing a childcare provider in Australia is a very big decision, and you should be 100% sure that the facility meets all of your standards.
