Infant and Toddler Child Care--A Partnership

Quality child care is a partnership between caregivers and parents. Its primary goal is to benefit your child. Sharing information--at drop-off and pick-up times, in notes, phone conversations, and during conferences--gives each of you a more complete picture of your child than either of you could have alone.

You are the specialist about your child. You know, for example, that your child cries for her bottle the minute she wakes up from her nap, or that he has been afraid of dogs lately. Having worked with many children of the same age, caregivers know how children develop. They know, for example, that we help babies develop trust by meeting their needs promptly. They know that fears are common in toddlers, and with support, these fears usually pass.

When you share information, you build a bridge between home and child care for your child. Your child will feel more secure when your caregiver sings the same song you do to help him fall asleep at nap time or when you talk on your way home about the pancakes she helped make for snack.

In a working partnership, each partner plays an important though very different role in your child's life. Your child knows who is who. And so does your child care provider. Always remember that you are the most important person in your child's life. Your relationship is forever. Child care can never replace the care you give your child every day, but it can play a very important role.

Copyright Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2002