Choosing Childcare During a Pandemic
The responsibility of finding a trustworthy daycare provider is the job of every parent in this day and age. This responsibility becomes even more difficult when the parent is in a stressful situation, such as when a babysitter is sick, or for whatever reason is no longer available as during a “national pandemic”.
It is important to note that all parents find it difficult to find safe and adequate childcare for their children:
What to ask the “in-home” child caregiver:
What to ask the caregiver/teacher:
Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii has been able to collaborate with our partners in the state of Nevada who have offered their newly developed resource interview forms for all parents to use. Please feel free to simple go to the following website, print the form that supports your needs and share with your family and friends.
In-Home Child Care Interviews & Center Based Interviews Our colleagues at Prevent Child Abuse have worked to make the forms simple, informative, and basically helpful when interviewing the daycare provider/site for your child. You are not in this alone the state of Hawaii also offers their support by simply contacting The Parent Line: We all are living in very unpredictable time and we have no idea what will be around us during the next months to come. Just keep working to protect your child to ensure that they grow in a safe and nurturing environment.
It is important to note that all parents find it difficult to find safe and adequate childcare for their children:
- When there is a lack of available childcare.
- When monetary resources leave parents with no choices to select appropriate caregivers.
- When parents have no other options even if they don’t know the person/site very well.
- When parents, with regular quality childcare may become desperate for replacements when a babysitter becomes sick, raises their rates, changes their availability, etc.
- desperately seek “anyone” available to care for their children.
- rush and make decisions that result in someone watching a child who is “not” prepared.
- caution “decreases”!
What to ask the “in-home” child caregiver:
- Can they work the required hours?
- Will they pickup the child and a crying baby?
- Will they change the diapers promptly?
- Do they understand the importance of holding and talking to babies?
- How would they handle a toddler’s temper tantrum?
- Can they work late if needed?
- How do they handle sick children?
What to ask the caregiver/teacher:
- What kind of experience do they have caring for children?
- What kind of training do they have in early child development, first aid, CPR, nutrition?
- Who will be caring for my child?
- What are the hours and days you offer care?
- What is I can’t pick up my child on time?
- Are there written contracts, emergency and sickness plan?
Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii has been able to collaborate with our partners in the state of Nevada who have offered their newly developed resource interview forms for all parents to use. Please feel free to simple go to the following website, print the form that supports your needs and share with your family and friends.
In-Home Child Care Interviews & Center Based Interviews Our colleagues at Prevent Child Abuse have worked to make the forms simple, informative, and basically helpful when interviewing the daycare provider/site for your child. You are not in this alone the state of Hawaii also offers their support by simply contacting The Parent Line: We all are living in very unpredictable time and we have no idea what will be around us during the next months to come. Just keep working to protect your child to ensure that they grow in a safe and nurturing environment.
