Parents should know that there is no best time to place their toddlers under childcare, although there are several factors to consider, such as the associated costs. We all know that child care and early childhood education is not cheap, which is why we need to choose the school carefully. The institution should offer high-quality services at competitive or convenient rates.
If you live in New South Wales, an early learning childcare centre in Metford could be a more affordable alternative to a similar facility in Sydney. Note that long day care costs between $70 and $185 per day on average.
Child Care Needs
Toddlers who are between 18 months and three years old are normally active and inquisitive; therefore, choosing a child care centre with the appropriate environment should be among your priorities. If possible, the environment should be similar to your own house whilst good staff retention indicates the competency of carers. The teachers should be experienced in handling children of young ages. They must have the patience and commitment to deal with multiple personalities and antics of their students. The staff should likewise have the heart of a mother or parent who truly cares about other people’s children.
It is likewise ideal if the centre has a low carer-to-child ratio since toddlers still have almost the same needs with babies. If you think it is too early for them to spend time outside the house, another possibility involves starting with childcare by the time they are more than three years old. This ensures that you spend enough time with your little one before he or she goes to a childcare facility.
Pre-school Age
Most children between three and five years old seek to interact with their peers. They are curious enough to ask questions and explore things that they are not familiar with. Childcare centres let them do this whilst improving their cognitive development at the same time. Parents, however, should assess if their child is ready for social interaction.
There are different ways to help your child prepare for early learning and childcare. One option is to prepare them by teaching them some basic gestures or training them to interact or encouraging them to talk. You can also allow them to watch kiddie shows that promote cognitive development. Buying them toys is a great idea as well because it stimulates their brain and boosts their imagination.
You may need to think of another alternative for childcare if your child becomes easily overwhelmed with noise, has trouble adjusting to new environments or feel anxious when being around strangers.
When choosing a childcare centre in your area, you should base your decision on how the facility would commit to your child’s safety and early learning development. In terms of cost, the price of childcare in suburbs is more likely to be cheaper than the rates in the city. Do your research and compare your options before making a decision. After all, your child’s future depends on the quality of education and care they will receive at a young age.