"Quality Choices for all your childcare needs."

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By Beth Bokunewicz

Youve already set up your childcare for the summer?My neighbor asked me in a panic. How can you think about summer while theresstill snow on the ground? Am I too late? For all of you busy parents (andprocrastinators), no, its not too late. But its time to get started! Timeto start exploring summer care options.

Multiple options are available for summer care for yourchildren. However, the choices can be confusing and overwhelming. Should youchoose summer day camp, overnight camp, nannies, family daycare homes,recreation centersor the countless other options? Would my children enjoybeing at a campground, a park, a city-run playground, or in my own homewhoever said parenting was easy?

Here are the most popular options, pros and cons and somethings to look for to help you feel secure about the choice you make for yourchildren.

The most popular option for children over the age of 5 yearsis the summer camp program. Many camps are advertised in parent publications,the phone book, and lists can be found on your states website.

Pros

Camps generally offer a variety of activities.

Transportation is frequently included.

The staff is often qualified in education.

Children can develop a love for the outdoors and develop skills they might not have available elsewhere.

Develop long-lasting friendships and social skills.

Fresh air!

Cons

Your child will be in a group of approximately ten (10) children, if not more. The day is rigorously scheduled leaving them little freedom of choice.

If children arent comfortable with an activity, feeling forced to participate can make their experience unpleasant. Camps generally do not cater to a wide diversity of interests.

It can become very hot and uncomfortable.

Prolonged exposure to the sun.

Some camps are run at state parks with inadequate facilities or have poorly kept equipment.

Indoor activities may be limited when the weather is bad.

Check the campgrounds once camp is in session. This can be done the summer prior to signing up or in the first weeks of camp. You may need to pay in advance to reserve a space but a reputable camp will offer your money back if youre not satisfied with what you see. You may even be able to do a trial run with a money back guarantee.

Find out the credentials and experience of the director. The director should have a degree or experience in recreation or education with, at least, 2 years of experience running a camp. Preferably the director works with children during the school season. This is especially important in the case of a specialty or special needs camp.

Find out what they do during inclement weather days. Do they spend the day watching movies, go on field trips to local points of interest, or have free indoor play all day? Your child should be stimulated (and not by the television) every day.

Find out the staff turnover rate. Do the same counselors return every summer? Do they have staffing issues during the summer? A high turnover rate can be a clue. Unhappy staff may mean an unhappy camper (i.e. your child).

What are the qualifications of the counselors, and other personnel who have daily contact with your children? These people will influence your children for a good portion of the summer. As in any childcare profession, qualified staff is difficult to find. Camp jobs are physically demanding and the pay is frequently low. Staff is required to be on duty from early in the morning until late at night. Make sure a good portion of the staff has previous experience working with children!

How is the staff expected to handle conflicts or discipline? A friend of mine has a child who returned early from overnight camp last summer because the counselor repeatedly disciplined him in front of his peers. This is never appropriate! The counselors tend to be young and dont always know the appropriate way to handle a conflict situation. Find out what is expected from counselors to avoid an unpleasant experience for your child.

How often is the equipment checked for safety? How often is it replaced? If the camp is under funded or too concerned about overhead costs, the directors may be hesitant to invest in new equipment. Be sure the equipment is relatively new and in good condition. Be sure there is soft surface under climbing equipment, quality life jackets for boating, toys with no broken pieces or sharp edges, no peeling paint on equipment, and the buildings and lean-tos are regularly checked for safety.

What is their security system? Be certain there is some measure of security. A guard at the front gate, visitor passes, sign-in or out books, and escorts. Strangers should not have the ability to roam the grounds.

This is a very popular choice for children under the age of 5.Frequently, parents enroll their children in a preschool or daycare and continuecare during the summer.

Pros

If your child attends the same daycare during the rest of the year, they will benefit from the consistency of being around the same teachers and their friends.

More structure than a private sitter.

Less expensive than a private sitter or camp.

Builds social skills.

Provides a secure environment.

Less exposure to the elements.

More educationally oriented.

Cons

Unfortunately, many programs run on a Summer Schedule. They may not have the same routines so there will be some adjustment for your child.

There may not be many educational elements and a lot of time in the school playground. If the program is not suitable, there is nothing wrong with removing the child for the summer and returning them in the fall.

Very little opportunity for new experiences.

What will they be doing all summer? Be sure you know what your child will be doing, who will be caring for them, and what activities are planned. The days activities are generally much less structured and less educationally geared.

What is the policy regarding television use? Even facilities that frown on heavy television use may allow much more during the summer.

Is the summer program staffed by the same teachers your child had during the school year? Very often the staff is cut because attendance is low. Some facilities use inexperienced staff fresh from high school to cut costs. Be sure you know the qualifications of the summer staff.

What trips will be taken? How often will they be away from the center? Who will supervise trips? How appropriate are the destinations? (Your 3 year old shouldnt be taken to the Museum of Fine Arts unless they offer age appropriate programs for preschoolers.)

This option is becoming increasingly more popular. People havefound having a college student with childcare experience is a great choice,especially if you have more than one child.

Pros

Your children will have the benefit of doing what they want and going where they like with the one-on-one attention of a caring individual. The cost for a nanny can be as low as $8.00 per hour. When you calculate the cost of paying for your children to go to a camp or facility, this option can be less expensive.

If you hire a childcare provider who brings their own child, the cost can be even lower!

You can prepay for tickets to local museums, zoos, shows, and other points of interest to offer your children a fun-filled and stimulating summer.

More flexibility for you, the parent.

Cons

Fewer opportunities for social development and interaction with peers.

Less structure.

No supervision for caregiver.

Some preparation on your part may be necessary.

If you or your child develops a personality conflict with the caregiver, you may be left in a difficult position without a backup caregiver.

Less guaranteed continuity. If your caregiver is ill or unreliable, you wont have a backup.

Follow these guidelines to ensure quality care from a nanny.

Do they have experience working with young children? Have them tell you about any previous childcare experience. If you have young children, be sure they understand developmental levels. Request at least 2 professional references and 2 personal references for you to call.

Find out their philosophies on childrearing, education, discipline, and nutrition. Be careful not to lead their answers. Avoid making a judgment about someone before youve interviewed him or her. (A good questionnaire can be found online under Childcare Providers on this website.)

Meet the caregiver in their home first. People feel more secure in their environment. They will be more likely to show you their real personality whether that be positive OR negative.

Be sure to have a reputable investigative agency run criminal clearances on your caregiver. Data-quik, a national investigation agency, can find out anything you need to know about the caregiver you choose. Log onto www.Data-quik.com or call them toll free at 1-800-206-5025.

Dont make the mistake of listening to someone elsesopinion. Very often parents blindly follow the lead of other parents.Unfortunately, that parent may not have any more knowledge than you.Additionally, their standards may not meet yours. Know the right questions toask and what to look for in a quality operation. For further information callChild Care Choices, Inc. at Toll Free 1-877-SIT-4YOU. We can help you make thebest choice for all of your childcare needs.