Although you’re likely the best person to be taking care of your kids, it’s very rare for a parent or guardian to be able to spend every waking moment with their kids for every day of their life. Because of this, you’ve got to be able to find someone else that you can trust to care for your kids just as you would.
To help you in doing this, here are three tips for finding a responsible caregiver for your children.
Ask For Recommendations And Check References
If you’re unsure about where to start on this quest, Robin McClure, a contributor to Very Well Family, shares that some of the best places to begin are with personal recommendations from people that you know and trust. Ask families and parents in your neighborhood, from your church, that you know from school, or from other groups who they hire to watch their children when they can’t be there themselves.
Once you have some options, the next thing you should do is check the references that the prospective caregivers gave you. As you’re checking their references, make sure you ask any and all questions you may have about the type of care their children received, and issues that arose, or anything else you feel like you need to know.
Learn About Their Policies And Caregiving Philosophies
When you have a few people or businesses that look good on paper, you should then speak with them directly to get a better feel for who they are and how they function as a caregiver.
According to Laura Broadwell, a contributor to Parents.com, you should ask about what their philosophies are about childcare, like how they handle discipline, routines, food choices, education, and more. Additionally, if you’re thinking about using a daycare or other service with multiple caregivers, you should learn about their policies and how they handle things like potential abuse or negligent behavior. While you hope this will never be an issue, it’s good to know that they’re prepared for a worst case scenario.
Get The Right Type Of Caregiver
As you finalize who you can trust to care for your children, Julia Kozusko, a contributor to Care.com, shares that you want to be sure that you’re getting the right type of caregiver for your caregiving needs.
For example, if you just need someone to watch your kids after school for a few hours, you likely don’t need someone who serves as a nanny. But if your kids are young and need more attention, a nanny would likely be a better fit for your family.
If you’re needing to find someone who you can trust to look after your kids while you’re away, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find a responsible caregiver.
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