Choosing Childcare - A parent's guide

Choosing suitable childcare is a very important decision for all parents. As parents, you know more about your child than any other person, and when choosing a child care service, you will want a service which will meet your child's individual needs.

How do I find a Childminder?

HSE's List of Notified Childminders. Voluntary Notified Childminders - Childminding Co-ordinator, Cork City Childcare Company Place an advertisement in a local newspaper. Reply to a Childminder's advertisement. Word of mouth - ask friends, family, other parents, neighbours, work colleagues.

When you are choosing a Childminder

• Plan well ahead. Take your time. Make enquiries. Check everything out. Be clear about what you want for your child and you.
• Communicate your needs.

When choosing a suitable childcare service for your child, you need to consider the following: availability, affordability and most important of all quality. Being a parent is possibly the most challenging role you will ever have! 

Steps to choosing a Childminder:

• Arrange to meet with a number of Childminders you have come in contact with. Have a list of questions to ask and issues to discuss prepared beforehand. Talk with friends, other parents, the Childminding Co-ordinator. Always check out at least two references from the Childminder and make personal contact with the referees. Devise a selection process on which to base your decision.
• When you have made your decision it is a courtesy to let those who were unsuccessful know.

What to look for

A Childminder who has the ability to relate well with children - who is sensitive, caring and aware of children's needs.  Ask yourself - do I feel comfortable with this Childminder - will they respect my child and treat them as an unique individual and work in partnership with me in caring for and educating my child?  

Parent/Child Relationship:
Regular communication is essential for keeping a good working relationship. Your Childminder is a very important part of you and your child's life and mutual respect and courtesy are essential.  Written contracts:
Recommended between parent and Childminder. Includes times, payments, holidays, collections, illness, food and baby needs etc. Written contracts ensure everyone's expectations are clear from the start of the working relationship. Reviewing the contract every six or 12 months gives parent and Childminder a chance to talk about your child's needs and how things are going. 

Child Protection:
Parents have primary responsibility for the care and protection of their children. Childminders have responsibility to ensure the health, safety, welfare and protection of children while in their care. Behaviour Management:
Children come from a variety of backgrounds with differing parental expectations about their children's behaviour. Discuss positive behaviour management with your Childminder. Ensure agreement is reached on what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Equal Opportunities:
Children learn to respect the individuality and diversity of others when they are cared for by adults who themselves model this approach. 

New Relationships:

Your child will need time to form new relationships with the Childminder and any other children they may be caring for. Young babies may settle quickly and older babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school goers may take a little longer especially if they are not used to being looked after by other people. There are no hard and fast rules and each child and Childminder will be different. Patience, understanding and an awareness of children's needs are essential. What if things don't work out?

If anything is worrying you, you should speak to your Childminder straight away as worries can sometimes grow out of proportion. Encourage your Childminder to do the same, so small problems don't build up to be big problems. Most difficulties can be settled through a friendly chat or by referring back to the contract together.  

Useful Addresses

Cork City Childcare Company Ltd.
29 Penrose Wharf, Cork City. Tel.: (021) 4507942  www.corkcitychildcare.ie 

Cork County Childcare Committee Ltd.
Market House, Buttevant, Co. Cork.  Tel.: (022) 23880

Sth. Cork Office: Unit 12, Underhill Commercial Park, Clonakilty Road,

Dunmanway, Co. Cork.  Tel.: (023) 55962  www.corkchildcare.ie 

Waterford County Childcare Committee,9 Emmett Street, Dungarvan, Co Waterford Tel: 058 48024  Email: waterfordcochildcare@eircom.net www.waterfordcoco.ie 

Waterford City Childcare Committee ,Unit 51 Tycor Business Centre, Tycor, Waterford.Tel: 051 860444  Email: info@waterfordcitychildcare.com Website: www.waterfordcitychildcare.com 

Pre-School Department, HSE South Tel.: (021) 4923826  www.hse.ie

Department of Health and Children
Tel.: (01) 6354000 or Low Call 1890 200 311  www.dohc.ie

Childminding Ireland
Tel.: (0404) 64007  www.childminding.ie

The Irish Childbirth Trust - Cuidiu
Tel.: (021) 4378379 www.cuidiu-ict.ie 

IPPA the Early Childhood Organisation
Tel.: (01) 4630010.  www.ippa.ie 

The National Children's Nurseries Association
Tel: (01) 4601138  www.ncna.net