Proven Methods for Finding Quality Childcare and Summer Camps
Photo courtesy of Pixabay by elfpreschool
Summer camps can provide amazing experiences for children. New friendships are formed. New skills are acquired. Comfort zones are tested. Best of all, children and teenagers have an incredibly fun excuse to take a break from technology for a bit while spending some time outdoors.
Here’s how to find the perfect summer camp or childcare so your children can make memories they’ll cherish for a lifetime:
Counselors, Directors and Staff
It’s important to tour the facility so you can meet as many of the staff as possible. Before registering your child, ask the staff about their credentials. How long have they been working with kids? Are they trained in CPR and First Aid, specifically for children?
Talk to the staff in-person, let your child meet them, and get a feel for whether they’ll be a good fit. Don’t just rely on your first impression; you can take it a step further by reviewing staff bios on the website or checking out online reviews from other parents.
Safety and Security
You also want to make sure the facility is safe and secured. Many summer camps require that children are never left alone without camp counselor supervision at any time. Additionally, your facility should limit visitors to just authorized family members or camp staff. Your child’s safety should always be the number one priority. Period.
Regardless of which daycare or summer camp you choose for your child, it can be helpful to prepare your child for the new experience by teaching him or her some basic safety skills. Experts recommend preparing children for summer camp by having some important safety discussions beforehand. Swimming safety equipment is especially important for children, so make sure they are prepared. Remind your child not to share hats, helmets or other headgear with their fellow campers (you don’t want them sharing lice infestations with the rest of the family!).
Special Needs
Does your child have a disability or other special need? If so, it can be helpful to bring your child along with you during your facility visit. This lets you observe camp staffers as they interact with your child. You can learn a lot from these interactions. Be sure to also ask about their previous experiences working with children with special needs, and any licenses or certifications they might have.
Do you need assistance finding the best camps for your children with special needs? You can start by reaching out to disability foundations in your area for recommendations. You can also check with summer camp directories that specialize in camp programs for children and teens with special needs or disabilities. Remember: you’re not alone, and there are many helpful resources available.
Summer Nanny
Having a nanny for the summer helps keep the house running smoothly too. Your nanny will make sure the kids get to and from camp on time and can be available if a child is sick and can’t make it. Planning camps for multiple kids at the same time can be difficult. When you have a nanny at home for the summer you don’t have to worry if one child doesn’t have a camp the same week as another child. The nanny will make that week at home fun with games, arts and crafts, and by visiting local attractions.
It’s not too late to line up a summer nanny. Contact Debbie today at debbie@tlcforkids.com.
Author: Alex Robbins