One of the biggest fears for all new parents is putting their child in a day care. When maternity leave runs out, most parents have to go back to work, leaving them with no other option than to put their baby in a day care.

There have been many horror stories about day care centres so it is important that new parents find a day care centre that is healthy and safe for their child or children.

The best way to find the perfect day care centre for your child is to visit the centres and listen what other parents have to say about the day care centres they have their children in.

Pay special attention to the following when visiting day care centres:

1. How the day care staff socialise with the children.  Do they pay special individual attention to the children or do they just take care of the group as a whole. (According to safety standards, there should be 1 day care employee per three young children)
2. Do the staff take part in the games and lessons or do they just stand on the side and keep an eye?
3. What noises do the children make and how do they communicate? Do they sound happy and content or do they sound frustrated, angry, annoyed or sad?
4. How many dare care staff are there at the day care?
5. Meet with the day care director and ask about the staff. Are they qualified to take care of the children or are they just walk-ins?

Before you enrol your child at a day care, make sure that your child’s health, safety and happiness won’t be in jeopardy. Also, always trust your gut.