Evaluating the quality of the childcare

Childcare is care given to young children especially by other parties rather than parents while they work. The various parties include nannies, child-minders, nurseries and day care centers. Childcare majorly takes two forms, either day-care centers or in-home care. For working parents, finding the appropriate care is necessary and making various considerations for choosing the best childcare option. The discussion below highlights the various issues to consider like the pros and cons of a day-care center versus an in-home option, how to tell which facility is best for a child from the standards to look for when evaluating options of childcare.

             Child day-care centers and in-home care have both pros and cons. One of the advantages of day-care centers is the low-cost implications as compared to hiring a personal nanny. The costs of day-care center vary according to states hence in some countries it is cheaper and in others expensive. Established day-care centers give parents peace of mind as they operate after meeting minimum safety and sanitation, licensing and having a comprehensive program that helps in meeting the developmental needs of children. The centers also create independence and provide interactive opportunities to the children. In-home care is expensive, but the chances of a child falling ill due to interaction with many babies are non-existent as compared to day-care centers (Tania 35). This option also provides an opportunity for the adoption of good behavior due to reduced unhealthy influences as compared to day-care centers. In-house care gives the parents the option of having a say in what to do in the curriculum like subject to teach or meals to eat.        In-house care also provides a child with the correct amount of attention to encourage healthy growth and development as compared to day-care centers were giving attention to each kid proves to be difficult.

            There are some standards to look for in the evaluation of a child-care system. Such standards aids parents to choose an appropriate child-care option that is suitable for their child. Some of the aspects in the quality assessment of child-care include the level of service. The level of service involves the availability and adequacy of a comprehensive curriculum that takes into account all aspects of a child’s developmental needs. Evaluation of the structural factor of the system, which involves regulates both psychological and physical conditions of the activities in the system (Eeva, Elina & Jannina 303). There is an evaluation of the common factor that assesses the child’s guidance through the process of education and the factors that relate to the caregiver’s skills. Parents are to evaluate the implementation of the curriculum and the interaction levels between the child and the caregiver. The effectiveness and efficiency of implementation indicate an excellent child-care option. Satisfaction of the parents is also essential. The childcare option should satisfy a higher percentage of the parent’s specifications. A good child-care option builds trust and creates assurance of proper care.

            In conclusion, it is evident from the above content that childcare is a hectic issue, especially for working parents. The importance of child-care is to help a child develop correctly even in the absence of a birth parent. The appropriate childcare fosters good physical and psychological growth in a child. Working parents who have limited time to take care of their children should consider finding appropriate child-care options. Various childcare options are available, and it is up to such working parents to adopt the appropriate option.

Works cited

Hujala, Eeva, Fonsen, Elina and Elo, Janniina. Evaluating the quality of the childcare in Finland.           Early Child Development Care, volume 182, nos.3-4. 2012, page 299-314

Heller, Tania. Pregnant! What can I do? A Guide for Teenagers, McFarland: North Carolina,         2012, page 1-150. Print