When deciding on child care options, whether it’s family day care, in-home care, or a child care day centre, it’s important to know what they offer in the way of developmental programs. The first five years of a child’s life are their most important when it comes to developmental learning, and will determine how they will develop throughout their life. So before you start looking for child care with a program that suits you, learn more about the programs, and then put a list of questions together.

What is the purpose of the developmental program?

Child care developmental programs are structured to provide children with positive and stimulating learning in a nurturing environment where strong relationships are built and socialisation is promoted. The main developmental areas that programs address are cognitive development, creative development, language development, physical development and social and emotional development. Programs include a range of activities or experiences that are designed to address one or more of these areas. Because children learn best through everyday play experiences with adult support, developmental programs allow children to explore and learn in a spontaneous way. Group activities are also a good way for children to learn how to socialise and make friends with other children. Ultimately, programs are designed to prepare children for school, and everyday life.

What does it offer?

Most day care programs are based on a framework that is structured in a way that creates a routine and provide children with a variety of activities in a daily, or sometimes weekly timetable. Each day, the five developmental areas are addressed. These frameworks are designed to deliver high quality learning in a play-based context with a focus on communication and language, especially numeracy and literacy, and involve family support and participation. Activities include a range of different experiences, both inside and outdoors, and are simple, and easily understood, and deliver a clear outcome for both the children and the adult supervisors.

What questions should you ask?

When looking at different child care services and their programs, have a list of questions ready. What are class sizes, and what is the carer-to-child ratio? What’s a typical day like? How is discipline approached? Is there enough room for both indoor and outdoor activities? Do children have scheduled nap times and meal times, and are meals provided? Does each child have their own space for belongings? What are the fees and costs? Is the centre safe and secure? Are the carers qualified and experienced? Will they discuss your child’s progress with you regularly? Are the children treated as individuals, and with respect? Does the learning program complement your own routines and ideas, and are your social and cultural values respected? Do the activities challenge thinking, stimulate creativity, develop physical and social skills? How involved are you as parents in your child’s experience at the centre?

Sending your child to day care can be stressful, so to find out more about child care options for your child, begin your search for a centre in your area.