Choosing the right creche for your child Indian society is moving from joint families towards nuclear ones. While this type of family system definitely encourages privacy and independence, it also calls for added responsibilities, especially when a baby is involved. One of the most common problems the working Indian mother faces, is where to leave the child when she is away at work. Unlike the West, where there are numerous options from day care centers to a wide network of baby sitters, the mother in India had limited options, until now. Slowly creches and day care centers are blossoming all over the country. So how do you choose the right creche for your child? In this articleIs it close to nature?Bright, airy roomsNeighbourhoodProfessional ApproachHygiene standardsActivitiesHazard free surroundingsIs it close to nature? Does the creche have a garden? True, you cant choose a creche on the basis of this, but a creche close to nature, away from heat and dust and pollution, should be the preferred choice. Bright, airy rooms There should be adequate lighting. Walls should be painted in bright colours like yellow and orange. There should be a cheery spirit in the atmosphere. Rooms should be large and well ventilated and there should be enough toys and slides for the children. Neighbourhood Take a note of the other children around. Are they from varied backgrounds and of varied ages? Will your child have friends to play with? Is the neighbourhood friendly, so you could meet with other parents and compare notes? Professional Approach Does the person running the day care have a professional approach, or has she just employed a couple of aayas to look after the children? Will she be personally involved? Has she hired someone responsible and intelligent to supervise the aayas? After all, you do want your children to pick up speech and learn as much as possible. If they are just exposed to aayas, their learning would be limited. Hygiene standards How clean is the place? Are there cobwebs on the walls? Is the paint peeling? A clean place shows that the person running the creche is particular about hygiene. Activities What are the activities planned for children? Are the activities such that would enhance physical, emotional and mental growth? Is there adequate space for these activities to be carried out? Hazard free surroundings Are there grills on the windows? Are the plug points secure? Is the kitchen out-of-bounds for the children? Are electrical appliances within reach of the children? Remember, you can never be too careful where your child is concerned, so before you enroll your child in a creche, do your homework so you place him amongst trustworthy and responsible people, in a secure environment.
Choosing the right creche for your child Indian society is moving from joint families towards nuclear ones. While this type of family system definitely encourages privacy and independence, it also calls for added responsibilities, especially when a baby is involved. One of the most common problems the working Indian mother faces, is where to leave the child when she is away at work. Unlike the West, where there are numerous options from day care centers to a wide network of baby sitters, the mother in India had limited options, until now. Slowly creches and day care centers are blossoming all over the country. So how do you choose the right creche for your child?
Is it close to nature?
Does the creche have a garden? True, you can't choose a creche on the basis of this, but a creche close to nature, away from heat and dust and pollution, should be the preferred choice.
Bright, airy rooms
There should be adequate lighting. Walls should be painted in bright colours like yellow and orange. There should be a cheery spirit in the atmosphere. Rooms should be large and well ventilated and there should be enough toys and slides for the children.
Neighbourhood
Take a note of the other children around. Are they from varied backgrounds and of varied ages? Will your child have friends to play with? Is the neighbourhood friendly, so you could meet with other parents and compare notes?
Professional Approach
Does the person running the day care have a professional approach, or has she just employed a couple of 'aayas' to look after the children? Will she be personally involved? Has she hired someone responsible and intelligent to supervise the aayas? After all, you do want your children to pick up speech and learn as much as possible. If they are just exposed to aayas, their learning would be limited.
Hygiene standards
How clean is the place? Are there cobwebs on the walls? Is the paint peeling? A clean place shows that the person running the creche is particular about hygiene.
Activities
What are the activities planned for children? Are the activities such that would enhance physical, emotional and mental growth? Is there adequate space for these activities to be carried out?
Hazard free surroundings
Are there grills on the windows? Are the plug points secure? Is the kitchen out-of-bounds for the children? Are electrical appliances within reach of the children?
Remember, you can never be too careful where your child is concerned, so before you enroll your child in a creche, do your homework so you place him amongst trustworthy and responsible people, in a secure environment.
