Avoid bad creches by not hurrying, says expert

PARENTS can avoid sending their children to bad child-minders or nurseries if they are not in a hurry to find a place for their child, according to a leading childcare expert.

Jim Greenman, author of several books on childcare, said that if a parent was desperate to find a place for their child or forced to choose a place based on what they can afford, they often ignore their instincts and “put on rose-coloured glasses to help talk themselves into” accepting a place with an inferior childcare provider.

He said it was easier for parents to choose the best childcare option for them if they have a choice and know what to look for.

Mr Greenman is also the senior vice president for education and programme development for childcare organisation Bright Horizons Family Solutions.

“One of the big things that differentiates a good child-minder from a bad one is their ability to care for and manage four or five children at once,” he said.

“Parents should also make sure the person minding their child will pay attention to them and make them feel special no matter how many other children they mind.”

When looking at nurseries or creches, he felt that while it was important to look at the individuals who would be looking after the children, it was also crucial to find out how the organisation structures the children’s day.

“Individuals will come and go but the organisation’s structure will remain.

“Parents need to look at how they organise learning throughout the day for the group of children, what the caring routine is like and how the centre can individualise care to meet the needs of each child,” he said.

“Look around closely and ask questions until you are satisfied that both you and your child will be respected. Find out what they do with the children each day and why they do it,” Mr Greenman said.

Mr Greenman said that each form of childcare had positive and negative impacts on children. And while some research shows that children in nurseries can be more aggressive or pushy, it fails to mention that these children also have more social skills or that negative impacts usually wash off the child by the age of seven.

“As with all parenting choices, there are pluses and minuses to childcare or to the children being at home all the time,” he said.

“What is pretty clear is thatthe bad childcare is bad for children, and probably for families, and good childcare supports working families.

“Young children need caring and learning arrangements that provide responsive nurturing care. It’s not enough for children to be simply kept safe and occupied by nice caring people,” he said.

Organised by the National Children’s Nurseries Association, Mr Greenman will be giving a childcare seminar throughout the country next week on the topic Childcare - Good or Bad for your Child?

He will be speaking in Blanchardstown’s IT on March 22, Moran’s Silver Springs Hotel in Cork on March 23, South Court Hotel in Limerick on March 24 and Athlone IT on March 25. All talks begin at 8pm. For further details the NCNA can be contacted at [phone].