School holidays are looming and I’m sure I’m not the only working parent to be frantically sorting out school holiday childcare arrangements. Even those parents that are fortunate enough to have time off work may be looking at options to give them a breather over the holidays. In our hometown of Melbourne there are scores of school holiday activities that allow parents to leave their children unattended from as little as one hour, to a whole week (school holiday camps). So far on the short-list in our home are a circus skills school holiday program, karate lessons, a program at a sports and rec place and magic lessons. My own version of working mum guilt kicks in big time as we near the end of term so I really want to find a program that the kids will love. Safety comes first though and there are some programs that I know would tick the kids boxes but because I can’t answer yes to all of the following questions are a no go zone. These questions are my personal guide that helps me to appraise whether I’d be happy to leave my five year old in the program’s care. Sharing them with you today in the hope they might be helpful. If you do know a great school holiday program in Melbourne drop me a line in the comment section below too, I can use all the help I can get!
(1) Is there a well advertised member/child protection policy which is given to parents/staff
(2) Is there a well advertised code of conduct?
(3) Are staff/volunteers screened? eg. police checks, reference checks
(4) Do staff/volunteers receive regular training?
(5) Is there a grievance or complaints policy?
(6) Are parents welcome at any time?
(7) Are children asked for their ideas and suggestions?
(8) Are your children aware of any personal safety strategies?
(9) Have carers have been trained in first aid?
(10) Do the carers have formal childcare/education qualifications?
If the answer is no to any of these questions reconsider leaving your child with the program
In additional always ask what the child to carer ratio is to ensure there will be adequate supervision according to the age of your child.
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