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Childcare options: Which one works best for you?

Research tells us that when babies and children get what they need, it has a lasting effect on their future. This is one of the many reasons parents start to look at childcare for their children. However, it’s a bit like opening Pandora’s Box and it can easily leave a parent very anxious about making a decision on the right childcare options for their children.

 

You could say I’ve been there done that, however, what’s right for me, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. I have however been working in the industry for over 26 years. I’ve also raised two children, and my experience has crossed all options in childcare. So here’s what I’ve learned.

 

Childcare options

Preschool programs

Preschool is awesome for children 3 years old and above, however, it isn’t for babies. Preschool’s usually run for shorter hours; let’s say 8:30 am– 3:30 pm as a guide. The odd preschool does provide for extended hours until 4:30 pm which definitely helps if your working hours finish in the early afternoon. Not as helpful for full-time employment.

 

Preschool programs offer play-based learning as well as teacher-directed activities. From my experience working in preschools, the environment and focus on learning is exceptional and really prepares children for big school. This can vary depending on whether the preschool is community-based or privately owned.

 

Family day care

I love family day care and it really has some positive advantages, especially for children who don’t cope well in large groups. The setting is usually more relaxed than a formal preschool. When I was a family day carer, I had up to 5 children in my care, but it’s since been reduced to 4 children per carer.

 

Family day care caters for children from 6 weeks old up to school age. I found it really beneficial for tiny babies, as they only have to share the carer with up to 3 other children.

 

I really enjoyed the flexibility of taking the children out in my car to the park, library, museum and lots of other fun places. The children would bring their own lunch along and they all had a rest time during the day. After their rest, they would wake up to enjoy a group session, full of their favourite songs and stories. We would paint, draw, explore, create and learn through play.

 

My youngest son joined me from the age of 2 when I started in family day care, but soon outgrew the little ones. I then chose long day care for him, so he was challenged more and was able to interact with other kids his age.

 

My first-born son really enjoyed long day care and now that he‘s a teenager he still has contact with some of his mates from the day care centre

 

Long day care

Long day care is available from 6 weeks to school age. The children are divided into rooms which allow children to interact with peers their own age. They learn from one another and have age-appropriate resources and experiences that develop fundamental life skills.

 

Like family day care and preschool, the educators in long day care need to be qualified. Educators in long day care have a variety of certificate, diploma and degrees. The great thing is that a variety of educators brings a variety of experience.

 

I made one vital mistake when I took my son out of long day care because I believed, at the time, that children needed to go to ‘preschool’. That was such a big mistake! He cried for about 6 months every day and begged me to go back to day care where he had formed friends. Life-long friends, I know now. I just thought he needed a ‘school readiness program’ that would assist him with the transition to school.

 

School readiness

Long day care provides a school readiness program. It starts when the children are in the nursery.  It’s important that our babies are encouraged to explore their learning environment independently. Independent play is closely connected to self-esteem.  This is a vital skill for children going off to big school. If practice and support start early, imagine how ready the children will be for kindergarten as they progress through the toddler rooms into the preschool room.

 

Toddlers have an innate sense of curiosity and this allows them to connect to their world. This curiosity is linked with physical exploration. Trained educators in long day care facilitate activities for curious minds in a safe and familiar setting. Children learn skills such as problem-solving, hypothesising and resolving, communicating, and working with peers. This is the foundation for a happy, healthy child.

 

The preschool children in long day care engage in some structured group times, small projects and large group experiences. The programmed activities are based on the interest and abilities of the children. This makes learning fun and really engages each and every child.

 

Grandparents and family

If you have family that want to help with childcare, and your child loves being with them, then definitely include some days with family. These are precious years for both the kids and the grandparents, so embrace that natural family love and nurturing.

 

There are so many amazing things kids can do with grandparents. These include cooking, reading, playing games and there is nothing like a big warm hug from someone you love.

 

Childcare doesn’t have to leave family out. You can mix your days so your children get the best experience possible and they still get that special one on one time with family.

 

The benefits of play

Play encourages children to develop skills which build confidence, such as conflict resolution plus imaginative and dramatic play. Play allows children to express themselves without anyone holding them back. Emotions are expressed but fears are also dealt with, inspiring self-confidence and learning about boundaries.

 

In my eyes, ‘play’ is fundamental to your child’s development and can be experienced in all of the childcare options I have mentioned above. Having the right carers to nurture this in our children is the key to making childcare work for you. It’s at the core of everything we do at our centre and it’s the reason why I always see happy children, happy educators and happy parents at Let the Learning Begin.

 


 

Contributor:

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Kelly Yeung – Owner and experienced Early Childhood Teacher at Let the Learning Begin – Warners Bay

Description:

We offer ideal childcare options for your little one to start as a bub, toddler or pre-schooler. We open from 7 am to 6 pm which is great for working and non-working families.

Your child will treasure the fabulous team, who have worked together for 3-5 years. There is very little staff turnover, so children are familiar with all of the educators. This creates a settling and safe environment for your child.

We trust, respect and care for our educators and give them autonomy in their place of work. When our educators work together and appreciate the environment they work in, we see inspirational results. This, in turn, is reflected in the wellbeing of every child in their care. Innovative care and education are provided and supported by higher staff ratios than required.

School readiness begins when you step through the door. So, you don’t have to move your child away from the treasured friends they have flourished with since the starting at the centre.

The perfect balance of learning through play and intentional teaching will guide your little ones to be well adjusted, confident learners who have fundamental life skills.

Phone: 4953 7665

Email: kelly@ltlb.com.au

W: www.ltlb.com.au

F: https://www.facebook.com/letthelearningbeginwarnersbay

I: https://www.instagram.com/letthelearningbegin/

I: https://www.instagram.com/letthelearningbeginartstudio/

 

 

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