What to Look for in a Dayhome

Blog » What to Look for in a Dayhome

Posted February 2, 2011

Last week, I had the privelege of consulting with a couple who plan to open a dayhome on March 1. The mom is going back to work and the dad will be staying home with his 1 year old son. It was wonderful to be able to put in all my 2 cents on how I'd like to see a dayhome to be organized. I really enjoyed being asked and I've been invited to come up and take a look before they officially open. If you are interested in exploring a March placement in a unique setting, you may call 403-261-8872. Speak with Tarl or Heather. Their home is in the Springside/Wentworth area, quite near Waldorf School, SW. Along with his one-year old son, Tarl will accept 2 additional children, ages 1-4 years. He will also consider before/after school care.

I thought I would share a few of my ideas on what could make a good dayhome:

A separate place for each chlld to take a nap. For 3 children, this means 3 cribs or playpens. Naps (appropriate for age) are important for a child's day to go well. It is tiring for a child to be with other children all day, so the naps are a chance to recharge batteries, restore curiosity and provide resilience to finish the day (maybe?without a melt-down.
A caregiver with imagination, patience and a curiosity about each child in his/her care. A person who observes what interests each child and who is willing to follow up on those observations with books from the library, activities and pretend play around topics like trucks, baby dolls, trains, ballet, dogs, cats, etc.
A supply of interesting toys and items to play with rather than a massive collection of every toy ever invented.
An interesting way to display these toys so children are inspired as they arrive or get up from a nap.
An effort to tidy and rearrange items occasionally through the day to make the environment fresh.
A caregiver who is confident but flexible about how she/he will handle discipline issues, separation anxiety, temper tantrums should they arise.
A supply of hats, puzzles, dolls, trucks, balls, items to pretend with and a few cupboards to be safely explored.
Basic, careful babyproofing, including an assortment of safety devices, as necessary.
A low adult:child ratio The fewer children, the better for your child.

This list is not exhaustive, but may help you in your evaluation. Now, what if your child is already in a dayhome which you feel may not live up to "perfect." Well, just as our own homes will not always (ever?) be perfectly clean, perfectly run or always have toys laid out in an interesting order, a child's basic need for a warm, interested caregiver and a reasonably rich environment can be met in a variety of settings. Caregiver warmth and confidence and interest should leave you feeling satisfied with your choice. If you do not feel your child has access to such a caregiver, then perhaps other choices can be made.

Raymond Parenting

Blog » What to Look for in a Dayhome