Finding School-Age Child Care
Information Sheet

"Choosing child care: a matter of choice not chance"



Finding school age childcare can be a challenging task. Parents need to know that their child has a place to
go after school where they will be safe, happy, and well cared for.
Children want a place where they can unwind and spend time with children their age, relaxing
or taking part in activities of thier choosing.
This information sheet is designed to assist parents in locating and choosing quality care to meet the needs of their child and family.



Indicators of quality care for School-Age children.

All children need warm, nurturing caregivers who understand and respond to their needs.
They need environments that keep them safe and healthy.
Activities and routines that are age appropriate, respond to individual needs, and stimulate growth and development.
When these variables come together, they form the base of quality care.

Knowledgeable caregiver:
A quality caregiver is one who is aware of the developmental needs of school age children;
has knowledge gained though experience and/or training. The caregiver should be mature and competent in handling a variety of situations
pertaining to the care of school aged children and communicating with families.

Child Adult Ratios:
In order for a caregiver to provide children with appropriate supervision, individual care and attention,
adequate child-adult ratios are essential. Child care ratios in Nova Scotia are as follows?

Private home care: 8 school age children or 6 children of mixed ages including the caregivers children.
Centre based care: 1 adult 15 children with a group size of 30

Environment:
Children need a clean safe environment, with adequate space for children to move about and play. Quality environments offer a variety of games, craft supplis, toys and other equipment that are age appropriate and sufficient in numbers for the children in attendance.

Daily routines:
The caregiver and routines should support children in their efforts to gain independence by allowing them to make decisions and solve problems. In all settings, school-age children need care that lets then enjoy their out-of-school time to relax, play, pursue individual interests, and take part in a variety of age appropriate activities. A nutritious snacks and lunch is also important part of the day.
Commincation:
Quality care welcomes parental involvment and visits at any time during the day.
There should be time set aside at the beginning and end of each day for parent and
caregiver to exchange information about how the child's day or night went. Open lines of communication are critical
for both the welfare of the child and the health of the parent/caregiver relationship.

Choosing child care is a personal decision based on your values, and the needs of your child and family.
It is a good idea for parents to consider carefully what qualities they are looking for in a caregiver and an environment.
As in all things, some compromises may be required when choosing care.
These compromises however should be in areas that do place the child at risk.
Parents need to listen to their intuitions, if you choose carefully, and base your decision on what is important ,
to you for your child; you are bound to make the best choice

Should you have any questions or require additional information please contact:

Child Care Information and Support Program
Memory Lane Family Place
22 Memory Lance, Lower Sackville N.S. B4C 2J3
Tel: 869-2111 Fax 864-4998
Email: children@accesswave.ca




Your Child Care Search

Finding child care is a task that takes time, energy and careful consideration.
Parents may have an idea of the type of care they want, but it is a good idea to keep an open mind and explore
all possible options. Arrange to visit as many types of care as time will allow before making a final decision.
Finding child care can be a long process, by beginning your search early you increase your options
and odds of finding the care you want and need.
Following are some steps to assist you in your search.

STEP 1: Determine your needs and those of your child.
Consider how each of the following might factor into your search and options:

Hours and Days:
  • What days and hours of care will be needed to cover a regular workweek, as well as days when
    schools are closed due to storms, in-service, holidays etc.
  • Determine when you need the care to begin, how long you will need it for example
    will you need care during the summer months?

Some schools have bused students and a lunch program that may fit into a family's schedule
and reduce the amount of child care a family will need on a daily bases.
Parents should be aware that it can be more diffficult to find care to cover a part day.
Child care providers generally perfer a full day arrangment as it is difficult to fill space around times when children are in school.


Cost of care:
  • What can you afford to pay?
  • Is there any assistance you may be eligible for such as a provincial child care subsidy?

Your Child's Needs

The needs of children change considerably during the school years in both ability and interests.
Parents often discover that as children go through the elementary years one type of care
may be more appropriate than another>
Some points to consider are:
  • Your child's age, interests, personality
  • Your child's ability to negotiate traffic and use good judgment in regard to distractions
    and possible hazards they may encounter while walking to school/
  • Where do you need care to be located, near the school, near your home, on site through Excel
  • Your child's perference: as children get older they may have definite feelings about where they want to be after school.
    It is important to talk with your child and consider their opinions when making the final choice.


Child Care Options
School-age childcare is available in a variety of locations and settings in the community.
The most common forms of child care available to parents are:
  • centre based child care
  • family day care
  • private home care
  • EXCEL Program
  • Boy's and Girls Clubs

Each type of care has its strengths and parents should explore a variety of options before making a final choice.

STEP 2: Locating Services
  • Talk to family, friends, and co-workers to inquire if they know a caregiver or day care centre with openings.
  • Call day care centres in your community that have a suitable location. A listing of licensed childcare centres is
    available by contacting your local Child Care Information and Support Program.
  • Check child care ads in the classified section of local newspapers and job search web sites and Bargain Hunter publication.
    Check job search sites on the internet, community bulletin boards in corner stores, farmers markets, libraries, playgroups, and community mailboxes. Some have a listing of people who provide home care.


STEP 3: Screen your options
Once you've identified a possible arrangement, call to see if it will meet your needs. Before placing this call, refer to
your list of needs and make a list of questions you want to ask. Use the same list when contacting each centre or caregiver.
Possible questions to ask:
  • What are your hours/days of operation?
  • Where are you located? How close to __________school are you?
  • Do you have any openings for children aged ___?
  • Do you have any openings for a (your childs age) child?
  • ow do children travel to school from your home/centre?
  • How many childrendo you care for? What are their ages?
  • What are your fees? What is included in these fees? Do you give receipts?
  • What activities and routines make up a typical day?
  • Do you have experience/training caring for school aged children? Do you have First Aid/CPR?
  • how long have you been providing care? Do you have references?

If the answers to these questions meet your needs and expectations, arrange a time to visit the centre or home.
As this is a screening visit, you may want to consider going on your own. Including young children at this time can cause
them to become anxious, being faced with new people and environments.
Once you have narrowed your search to a couple of options you can arrange a second visit including your child.

STEP 4: Visit the day care center or home
Following are some points to consideration when visiting a child care centre or home.
  • Does the home or centre have a welcoming, comfortable feel?
    Does it appear to be well maintained and clean?
    Does the place look safe for your child?
  • Do the caregivers appear to enjoy talking to and playing with children?
  • Does the caregiver talk with children on their level and respond to their questions?
  • Do they respond quickly and appropriatly to a child's distress?
  • Are there plenty of toys and learning materials within the child's reach?
    Are toys and equipment clean, comfortable and age appropraite?
  • When you listen do you hear happy voices of children involved in their play?
    Do caregiver voices sound patient and happy?
    Is there a genuine fondness for the children?
  • Count the number of children in the group. Then count the number of staff members caring for them.
    Do they meet with regulations? Do you get the impression that the caregiver can handle the number of children in her care?
  • Where do the children eat, sleep and play? Are these areas safe, with secure boundaries?
  • licensed child care centers are required to meet standards of care for health and safety,
    staff training, ratios, mutririon, programming and equipment.
    These are minimal standards, and do not assure qualty care.
    Check that the centre has a current license displayed and a copy of the daycare act.


STEP 5: Interview the caregiver
Clear , open lines of communication are very important in arranging and maintaining your child care arrangement.
Following are some questions to consider when interviewing a potential caregiver.

  • How is the caregiver's day set up to meet the needs of school age children? What routines and activities make up a typical day?
    Do these routines fit your child's schedule? How flexable are routines?
  • What experience/training does the caregiver have in caring for school aged children?
  • Does she have first aid/ CPR? how would she handle an emergency?
    Are there smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and an evacuation plan?
  • Ask about teh length of time caregivers have been caring for children and how long she plans to continue?
    Continuity of care is an important factor. Ask day care directors if staff are rotated, and how often?
  • Listen carefully when the caregiver speaks to get a sense of her philosophy in caring for children.
    Is it similar to yours? Ask her what she feels is important to provide good care forschool aged children.
  • What are the caregiver's views on guiding children's behavior discipline? Do you agree?
  • What is the policy if child becomes sick?
  • What does she enjoy about caring for this age group?
  • Are the children taken on outtings during the day?
    Does the caregiver have adequate Auto and Liability Insurance?
  • What do parents provide? (Food, milk, diapers, bedding)
  • If the caregiver provides food, what type and is it nutritious?
    Is there a menu you can see? Day care centres have a menu posted on centre's bulletin board.
    Some private home caregivers may also have a menu. In either settiing there should be a process for letting
    you know what, and how much your child ate that day.
  • Discuss cost of the care? Any additional charges? What is included in this fee? When is it due?
    Do parents pay for sick and absent days? Does caregiver give receipts?
  • Are parents welcome to come by at any time without calling?
  • Does caregiver have references?


STEP 6: Evaluate

Before committing to any child care arrangement, take time to consider the information you have collected,
check references, ask yourself if the home or center has?
  • A nuturing, competent caregiver?
  • A safe, nurturing environment with long term possibilties?
  • A reasonable travel distance?
  • Affordable fees?
  • Similar values in caring for your child?

If you determine that this arrangement will meet the needs of your child and family, arrange a time to visit with
your child to gage their reaction. Ask to have written agreement outlining hours, fees etc.
The information presented is designed to meet the needs of parents choosing child care in private homes or cetre based care.
Some questions and information may pertain more to one type of care than the other.
Information on hiring and interviewing a caregiver to come to your home is also available.

Best of luck in your search. >br>

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