I just got a call that someone local is available to take DD one day a week - actually she had two days free so I might go for one full day and one half day.

This will be the first time Alex has been in all day care (with day sleep) away from home, and the first time she's been in care with other children (apart from being minded for a few hours by friends).

If I go ahead with this carer, I already have in mind to do a week or two of just mornings before I leave her there all day.

Would appreciate any other tips about easing Alex into FDC, or what to look/ask about when I go to meet this FDC mum?

Steph
DD Alex (March 04)

i ususally spent a few hours a couple of times with my kids at the carer's. just watching and playing and being there. be prepared for a very hard first day or few with tears etc (with ryan it lasted a month or more, emelia settled straight in on the first day)

as for questions, you'll get a list of things to discuss which is pretty good. mostly it's gut feeling plus in my case it was asking about controlled crying and discipline which sorted out the carers for me...

I looked into FDC for my DD and there wasn't much out there (SS). I may have been a bit fussy though as we wanted someone w/o a dog as we don't have one and couldn't find one that I liked. We ended up going with a DCC, i just made sure that the place smelt good and that DD would sleep there. It took a few wks for here to settle in but once she did she loved it.

Luv, Amanda
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Steh,
we did the same as Brazen and spent a few hours the first time that she stayed.
We were offered a choice of 2 FDC that were prepared to take a baby (Kya started when she was 3 1/2 months old) and one of them would have had to take her in the car to pick up another child from pre-school. That ruled her out straight away.
The second woman had an instant rappore with DD and we felt comfortable with her - like Brazen said, go with your gut feeling. She now looks after DD 2 days a week and we are so happy. Kya even gets excited when we get to her front door in the mornings!

The FDC people seem to do random visits fairly regularly - every 3 or 4 weeks I get a little card in Kya's bag saying what she had been doing during the visit. I know that they also do safety checks fo the house (and check out everyone who lives in the house)

I send her food and bottles and in the beginning I wrote out a clear routine re sleep etc. I also sent her sling int he beginning as the FDC mum seemed to spend a lot of time with Kya in her arms. (Prob. not relevant as your DD is older)

Um, questions to ask - nappies (my FDC didn't like using cloth, so I send disposables), time playing outside, whether they attend any activities on the day that your child will be attending (there is a bus that can take them to playgroup, but I dont know much about this as it is on a different day).

Hope that at least some of this has been helpful
Amanda

Hmmm haven't asked whether she has a dog or cat - I guess I will see. I didn't ask about smokers but I am pretty sure the FDC coordinator told me ages ago that FDC homes have to be non-smoking - is that right?

Do you think it would be too confusing for Alex (mainly nap-wise) if she was going one full day and one morning a week - ie having a nap there one day but coming home at midday(ish) on the other day? I could get her in two full days, but on the 2nd afternoon the FDCer needs to leave home at 2.30pm to pick up a school age child and DD is usually asleep at this time.

Also do you think if she's going to be there all day I should start with a couple of mornings, or should we start with a full day so she knows what to expect and doesn't get a shock the first day she has to stay all day?

Steph

Hi Steph,

From memory I think you live Northside? If so you will probably be using the same FDC I do. I have been with several of their carers and know of quite a few others. PM me if you want more info....

Apart from that find it VERY useful to go for a few hours. I ask about routines, TV time (as I do know a few that allow kids to watch whole movies each day which is something I'm not all that happy about), the eating routine, I ask to see the sleeping area, the kitchen and bathroom. I watch the other kids to see how they interact and I also try to chat to the carer as much as I can cos there's nothing worse than not getting on with your carer!

I have found that both my girls have settled into cay care routines quite quickly so 'm sure Alex will be fine. Be prepared for a couple of weeks of upset but after that she should be settling in.

Good Luck!

Rach

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Thanks Rach, I'm southside in Woden/Weston Ck FDC area.

I will be asking about TV time for sure! I know it's only 1.5 days a week but if I wanted DD to get parked in front of the TV for significant periods of time I could do that at home and wouldn't need CC so much - IYKWIM!?

Is it usual that the FDCer can take children on outings? Personally, the thought of taking four under two anywhere further than the back yard would scare the cr*p out of me!

Steph