As a parent, you’ll eventually reach the stage where you start to look for infant care options in Singapore as you prepare to return to your professional obligations. It’s a dilemma that many parents today face.
Where do you even begin when you have a sea of options to go through? How can you make sure that you’re picking the right one? That’s what we’re here to help you out with today!
To make things easier for you, here are five key factors that will help you find the right infant care in Singapore for your little bundle of joy.
Location and cost
It’s common for parents to pick an infant care centre in Singapore that’s conveniently located near their home or workplace. Accessibility makes it easier to drop off and pick up your child on your way to or from the office.
Another thing: it can be stressful having to rush to drop off your child in the morning while trying to get to work on time. Likewise, the quicker you pick them up after work, the better off both of you will be.
More often than not, location dictates the infant care centre\'s monthly fee. Of course, those located in prime, easily accessible areas might charge higher rates because of their higher rental fees.
Expect to pay around $700 to $3,000 per month to send your child to a good infant care centre in Singapore. Don’t forget to check if you’re eligible for any childcare subsidy to help you defray the overall costs.
As outlined by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Singaporean children enrolled in an accredited infant care centre automatically qualify for the basic subsidy.
Teaching staff
Ideally, you should pick an infant care in Singapore with qualified and enthusiastic teaching staff.
In terms of qualifications, many centres require teachers and carers to have certificates and experience in early childhood education.
Upon visiting a centre, take note of how the staff interacts with the children. Caregivers should be respectful, passionate, attentive, and passionate with each kid.
The bottom line is to look for an infant care centre that shares your views and philosophies on childcare, sleep habits, food and nutrition, and more!
Curriculum
The infant care curriculum plays a critical role in children’s early development. It’s designed to stimulate their learning while making their daily life more fun and entertaining.
The mark of a good and comprehensive curriculum is structured schedules with plenty of time for indoor and outdoor play, reading sessions, group activities, napping, and meals and snacks.
For example, Star Learners follows a literature-based approach that focuses on using award-winning children’s books to develop an early love for reading as well as build critical thinking and language skills.
Facilities and resources
Apart from the curriculum, the centre’s facilities and resources also impact children’s early development and learning.
Every learning equipment and resource should be age-appropriate and able to support children’s various learning styles. Above all, it should make their daily activities more fun and engaging.
There should also be enough space for children to move around and participate in activities comfortably. Look for safety and supportive features that will prevent them from getting hurt as they learn to stand or crawl on their own.
Meal plans
Your child will surely be hungry after a day of playing and learning!
Since food and nutrition are crucial for proper growth and development, you should consider the meal plans that infant care centres offer to children. Meals shouldn’t only be healthy, but prepared fresh daily as well.
If your child has food restrictions, be sure to check if the centre can accommodate their dietary needs.