7 questions to ask about your child's creche

Analysis: when it comes to choosing a creche, parents and guardians need to look at the people involved and the systems they use

As families with young children move into ever-expanding towns, they are grappling for creche spaces. Parents find themselves stressed with the process of locating a place that they may not focus on essential questions they could ask.

There are two big areas to look at: the people involved and the systems they use. The more expensive creche does not necessarily equate to the best creche. The ethos and quality of the premises needs to reflect your values and be quality driven. Here are seven questions that every parent or guardian should ask when searching for a creche for their child.

Who is working in my child's room?

Positive relationships and interactions are hugely important for children’s wellbeing. Children need to be surrounded by adults who can provide interesting and stimulating environments for them to learn and develop in. They need adults who are respectful, caring, responsive and educated within the field of child development. Children need consistency to build up positive relationships in a trusting environment.

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From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, reporter Evelyn O'Rourke speaks to both parents and childcare providers protesting over state funding of Irish creches

Knowing the level of staff turnover, their level of experience and qualifications are imperative. A doctorate is a level 10, a masters is a level 9, a degree is a level 7 or 8 and a certificate is a level 5 or 6. When visiting a creche, look at how the educators are responding to the children’s needs. Sensitive responses are key to developing positive attachments for babies and young children.

How are breaks covered in the creche?

This is a vital part of your child's day. Every full-time staff member is due a minimum of 45 minutes off daily spread throughout the day. They should also be receiving non-contact time to complete paperwork. This means that each staff member could be away from your child for up to one and a half hours per day.

Ideally the same staff member would cover these breaks. Your child needs a stable environment where they feel safe with people they know and trust. A different staff member every day in a child’s room could be very stressful for a child.

From RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline, listeners call in about the difficulty of finding creche places, while creche owners explain the difficulties they are having trying to keep their businesses afloat

What will sleep time look like for my child?

In full day care services, sleep time for young children is a crucial part of their day. There are three areas to look at: where does my child sleep, who puts my child to sleep and how is my child put to sleep?

Sleep time is managed differently within services. For children under two years of age, there is usually an allocated sleep room with cots. This room is normally attached to a playroom and is monitored by staff every 10 minutes with a very detailed sheet that needs to be completed. The staff member should walk into the room and individually check every child to assess their colour, position and breathing.

Older children (two years plus) are usually in a different sleep room with cot beds. In these rooms, the staff members should be in the room with the children. The same forms assessing colour, position and breathing are completed. It is important to note that all sleeping babies are within ratio - ie if the ratio of adult to children required is one adult for five children, then this ratio remains when the children are sleeping.

From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, child sleep consultant Erica Hargaden on children's sleep routine

How and by whom a child is put to sleep is also very important. A consistent trusted adult who would understand the child's cues for sleep and know the child’s sleep routine should be putting the child to bed. This would be one of the key people working in the child’s room. The importance of relationships is imperative when connecting with children’s care routines.

Where can I get a copy of your last number of Tusla reports?

All Tusla reports are readily available online. You choose the county and type of service you are looking for (full day care, part-time, etc) and the link to the report is at the end of the page.

The important pieces to note within the reports are the number of non-compliances and continuous repeated non-compliances so it's important to look at a number of reports. Inspectors normally visit every 12 months so if they have returned twice in one year, ask why that occurred. A report should also be available in the service.

From RTÉ's Prime Time in 2019, Richard Downes looks at the fallout from the RTÉ Investigates show Creches - Behind Closed Doors

What way can I settle my child into the service?

It's very important that your child feels safe. They will take time to adjust to a new setting and there needs to be a flexible personal plan devised where the child's cues are central to all decisions around settling in.

On the first couple of days, it's best practice that the parent/guardian remains in the room and plays with their child and the key people working in the room with the child. The child may take a few days before they are happy for their primary carer (their parent/guardian) to leave them alone. The time and space needs to be given to the child to allow them to settle into the new setting and feel safe and secure.

Is the service degree led?

Does the manager and a person working in every room within the premises hold a minimum of a degree in early childhood care and education? If not, who does hold one and what positions do they have? There is much research proving a positive link between quality and degree led services.

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What curriculum do you use?

Aistear is the curriculum framework used in Ireland. There are several different curriculums to choose from, such as Montessori, Steiner, High Scope and an emergent play-based curriculum. Early learning experiences and interactions grounded in play are the foundation for young children and babies' lifelong learning, and the development of their physical and mental health.

Ensuring your child will encounter meaningful play experiences with supportive adults is integral to their development. The inclusion of sensory and textural play encompassed in a curriculum that is child led is imperative. Consistent, quality, play experiences in a stimulating environment with sensitive, educated adults are essential components of a high-quality early years setting.

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ