Find info on your childrens health » Learning Environment http://www.childrenshealthweblog.com The Childrens Health Blog Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:20:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Finding The Right Child Care For Your Baby http://www.childrenshealthweblog.com/babies/finding-the-right-child-care-for-your-baby/ http://www.childrenshealthweblog.com/babies/finding-the-right-child-care-for-your-baby/#comments Wed, 05 May 2010 22:10:01 +0000 admin http://www.childrenshealthweblog.com/babies/finding-the-right-child-care-for-your-baby/ If youre planning to go back to work after your baby is born, child care is a major concern. Your childcare provider will be spending a lot of time with your child, so it is critical that you be comfortable with the environment and the style of care your child will be receiving. There are several alternatives, each with pros and cons. Spend some time evaluating each option, so that you can make the choice that best suits your needs.

The first option is in-home child care, meaning a sitter, or nanny who comes to your home to watch the child. This is by far the most expensive option, but it has many advantages. Your child will be at home, and will have the full attention of the nanny. In addition, your child will be exposed to fewer illnesses, and you will not have to transport her back and forth on your way to and from work. The main disadvantage is that you have no real backup if your nanny gets sick or wants to take vacation. Another thing to consider is your feelings if your child develops a very strong bond with the nanny. More than one mother has been hurt by the sense that the baby is more comfortable with the nanny than with her.

The second option is a small home daycare, meaning you find someone who will keep your child in her home, perhaps with her own children or one or two others. This is a good option if you want your child in a home atmosphere, but cant afford the full time nanny. This option shares the same disadvantages of having a nanny in terms of no backup plan.

The third option is a traditional daycare center. Traditional daycares are affordable, and there is no need to worry about a caretaker getting sick or wanting to take vacation. A daycare might also be more of a learning environment than home care, which will become more important to you as your child gets older. The main disadvantages of daycares are that your child is exposed to all the germs of all the children. Be prepared for the both of you to be sick for a year. The other disadvantage is the numbers of children being cared for. For example, in most states, the law requires one caretaker per eight babies. Now, I dont know about you, but I could not effectively care for eight babies alone. So, if you decide to use a daycare center, be sure to ask their caretaker to child ratio. Look for one with about five babies per caretaker.

Choosing your babys childcare arrangement is one of the most important decisions youll make. Even after youve chosen a care option, be diligent about ensuring that your child is receiving the best care. Drop in unannounced at odd times of day to see whats going on. Dont be afraid to ask questions, and let the caretaker know whats important to you. Its critical not only to your childs well being, but to your own piece of mind.

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]]> http://www.childrenshealthweblog.com/babies/finding-the-right-child-care-for-your-baby/feed/ 0 How Safe Is Your Child’s School? http://www.childrenshealthweblog.com/parenting/how-safe-is-your-childs-school/ http://www.childrenshealthweblog.com/parenting/how-safe-is-your-childs-school/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:28:45 +0000 admin http://www.childrenshealthweblog.com/parenting/how-safe-is-your-childs-school/ As a parent, have you ever thought about whether your child’s school was designed and built with security in mind?

To raise awareness of school safety and security issues, the National Crime Prevention Council – best known for its icon McGruff the Crime Dog – developed the “Be Safe and Sound” initiative. The initiative offers tools and tips on how schools can be made safer and more secure for students and staff.

There are several basic measures that schools can take to help ensure a secure learning environment for children. The National Crime Prevention Council offers the following guidelines:

* Visitors should be required to sign in or show proper identification.

* Unmonitored doors should be locked from the outside at all times to prevent unauthorized persons or items from entering the building unnoticed.

* Students entering and exiting the school property should be monitored.

* The receptionist should be equipped with a panic button for emergencies, a camera with a monitor at another location and a high-security lock on the front door that can be controlled.

* Access to identification badges, office keys and codes should be restricted and a process for reporting missing badges and keys should be in place.

* All doors should have high-security locks or electronic access control units. This applies especially to closets that have private information or hazardous materials, as well as outside doors and basements.

* Motion-sensitive and constant lights should be used outdoors.

* Dark places around the building should be illuminated and shrubs should be cut back so light can penetrate these areas.

* Stairwells and out-of-the-way corridors should be well-lighted.

* All doors should be solid. Sheet steel should cover both sides of the back and basement doors.

* Door frames and hinges should be strong enough to prevent them from being pried open.

The National Crime Prevention Council suggests that parents talk to their children’s principal and work with the school’s PTA to encourage the school to implement these measures. If they remain concerned, they can team up with other parents to insist that their local school board make building security one of its top priorities.

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