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Peace of mind will become an elusive goal if you are unsure about the safety of children you have left in the care of others while you work.

You will need to invest some time and a good deal of money in ensuring that caregivers who look after your children while you work are competent to do so and are, in fact, doing their jobs.

Otherwise, working and saving for their future will soon become an exercise in futility.

Providing three meals, bathing, total grooming from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for your child can attract a charge of J$3,500 weekly and extended hours will attract additional rates. But, money will not be your only consideration. The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) has laid down guidelines which you can use to establish if the aftercare or day care centre you have in mind will adequately meet the needs of your child.

You must also ensure that the facility has a current and valid permit to operate as this also means that they were investigated by childcare officers and found to be compliant.

ECC guidelines require that early childhood institutions must have comprehensive programmes designed to meet the language, physical, cognitive, creative, socio-emotional, spiritual, cultural and school readiness needs of children.

Make checks

Before you register your child, visit at least twice at different times to see how the centre actually operates.

Each child must have his or her own sleeping area - cribs for babies and mattresses for older children.

Be prepared to provide sheets for your child's bed. There should be separate bathrooms for staff and children. Check for fire extinguishers and a fully fitted kitchen.

For 10 children, three helpers with early childhood level one or level two training will be required. Workers must also be in good mental and physical health, be honest and of sound moral character.

The centre's ECC certification includes providing proof that workers have no criminal records. They should not have been convicted for using or selling drugs or for any other offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act, the Offences Against the Person Act or the Child Care and Protection Act.

The operator and persons who are supervising or teaching children must also be trained in early childhood development by an institution that the ECC recognises.

In addition, nurseries and early-childhood institutions which cater to children over three years old must employ at least one qualified teacher.

The staff must be able to recognise the symptoms of common childhood diseases, the regulations note. They must be trained in paediatric first aid and the hygienic handling of accidental spills of blood and other body fluids. They must also know the signs of child abuse and be aware of the incidents they must report under the Public Health and the Child Care and Protection acts.

Staff should also be trained in the care and development of children with special needs, and in acceptable methods of disciplining young children.

There must always be adequate staff members to ensure that children are supervised and can receive the attention they need as follows:

Children under one year - one staff member to five children;

Children one to two years - one staff member to eight children;

Children three to five years - one staff member to 10 children.

Each nursery should also have indoor and outdoor activities that will promote physical development and activities that will encourage children to express themselves in different ways such as art, drama, music and speech.

As a parent, you will need to make the decision to find and invest in proper care. Otherwise, the primary goal of working to care for your offspring will be defeated.

avia.collinder@gleanerjm.com