Choosing the Right
Child Care Centre for your Child
One of the biggest decisions a parent can make is choosing the right child care centre for their child. I faced that dilemma when I decided to return to work and without any previous exposure to child care, found myself a bit daunted and unsure what to look for.
It’s a massive decision and one that can be quite overwhelming. As it is, you are probably experiencing mixed feelings about placing your child into care. You’ve probably spent years on a waiting list and jump at any offer that comes your way. But how do you know which centre is right for you?
The first thing you should do when offered a position is to make a time to have a look around the centre. Whilst there take note of the following:
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Are the premises clean and tidy?
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Do the children look happy and content?
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Is there artwork displayed throughout the building?
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Are the toileting areas child-friendly and hygienic?
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Is there equipment out for the children to play with?
There should be lots of equipment around to stimulate your childs imagination. This helps to enhance their learning experience.
Asking the following questions may also help you to form a decision you’re comfortable with:
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What is the staff turnover like? There should be a display of all staff members and how long they’ve served at the centre.
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Can you visit the centre and your child at any time?
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Will the centre do up portfolios of your child’s work throughout the year? This is like a display book of photo’s of your child and artwork they’ve done that you get at the end of the year. It’s a wonderful momento that you can look back on over the years.
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Ask to have a look at the programming for the room your child will be in. This is an outline of what the children will do on a specific week.
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Ask to see the routine for the room. The children should have lunch at a certain time, outside play etc.
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Does the centre have open days like ‘Grandparents Day’ where members of the extended family can visit.
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You should be able to view the centre’s policies at any time so ask where they are located.
Other factors to consider include:
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is the centre a registered centre or approved centre
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the cost
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whether you have to pay for public holidays and sick days
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whether you have to pay for any shut down periods (eg. over Christmas)
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does the centre supply food or will you supply it
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hours of operation
Ultimately, you should feel comfortable with the centre you are enrolling your child at. If you walk in and feel at ease, find that the staff are friendly and the children seem happy then that’s a great start.
Tax Deduction for Parents
The Department for Social Welfare Standards (DSWS) grants a provisional / temporary registration to confirm that a child day care facility is compliant with the established standards for Child Day Care Facilities.
According to Article 14C of the Income Tax Act (Chapter 123 of the Laws of Malta), parents whose children attended Child Day Care Facilities can benefit from a deduction in the tax amount payable to the Inland Revenue Department. These childcare facilities have to be registered with the DSWS.
Please check this
link to see an updated list of childcare centres registered with DSWS.
Should you need any other information regarding this matter, or about any other services provided by the Department of Social Welfare Standards, please feel free to contact the Department either by
email or by phone on 2278 8245.
Child Care Regulation in Malta
The process towards promoting and regulating Child Day Care Services in Malta has in the last years been proceeding at a steady pace, so as to meet the needs of both service-users and service-providers.
Child Day Care Services are either provided within specifically designed facilities or within private homes.
The latter is known as a home-based service. In both cases, parents would like to feel assured that their children are well looked after by suitable persons within suitable premises.
Babies and children up to the age of three are particularly vulnerable and require the best possible care for their well-being and development. It is important that persons entrusted with the care of children, do give infants the best alternative care possible, and that standards are maintained to ensure the safety and well-being of these children.
Throughout these past years, considerable effort has been invested in the early childhood development and care sector. The most important milestones achieved so far include:
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The drafting of the proposed standards for Child Day Care Facilities, the ensuing consultation process, and the publication of the standards document in July 2006;
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ETC’s European Social Fund project for Childcare Facilities at the work place;
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The drawing up of separate planning guidelines for Childcare facilities by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority;
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The Improvement Grant Scheme for Child Day Care Facilities as announced in the Budget Speech for 2006;
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The Provisional Registration of Child Day Care Facilities;
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The National Information Campaign of the Benefits of Quality Child Care.