Document on how to choose the right daycare provider

[Niveah]

I am glad we are having this discussion of how many children should be under a provider. I am aware of providers who have many kids, sometimes many under 15 months...the rules on this are not clear.
Whether it is an institution or a home day care ( licensed/unlicensed)....it definitely comes down to personal ethics.
In an institution, issues concerning abuse ( mental, physical, neglect) come to light more often. However, I cannot rule out the fact that there are a few providers who neglect and as far a abuse goes...it goes unnoticed.
One cannot really determine if a child under 15 months ( until they can actually talk) is abused or not. In a home day care though, this is behind closed doors and unfortunately there are bad apples.

For now here is what I think neglect is..
What is neglect?
1.Does your child come back with a diaper rash? ( which clears away during weekends and comes back at the day care) Please note that diaper rash could happen due to diarrhoea, food patterns and teething too. You have to monitor long enough to see if it is a day care hygiene issue
2. Do a few drop ins and check whats going on...what is your child doing. If your child is constantly crying what is your day care provider doing?
3. Does your child wake up crying and seems stressed? An otherwise happy child is now turning unhappy.
4. Does you child seem happy with your provider when you drop in?
5. Does your child look tired and hungry?
6. Does your child want to go back or cries signing to leave (showing the car, heart pounding etc)
7. Its time up when the provider starts complaining about your kid constantly...he/she is not interested to make an effort anymore and it is bad news.
Talk to him/her openly to see if he/she wants out.
8. If things do not improve in three weeks no matter what the circumstance is find a different provider.
9. Trust your child's cues however sweet your provider is. If your child is not happy thats what is important.

There are different kinds of providers...
some care more about the eating and sleeping especially with younger toddlers and babies
Some focus on eating, sleeping and some educational activity
Some are particular about milestones...check what are the expectations of your provider
For example how independent does you provider expects your child to be.
As a parent be honest and discuss what your child can and cannot do.
(You cannot ultimately expect a 11 month old to sit in circles and enjoy it...neither can you expect a 12 month old to say a few words...not all children do this..
Some walk at 10 and some at 15..)
Of course it is easier on the provider if your kid is more independent but if your kid is not, then chose a provider who understands the needs of your child.
At the end of the day, your child's happiness and safety is most important.