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Finding a carer you trust.... |
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How safe is your child is a question that
worries you every moment. Whether she is with you or asleep or with a relative / carer,
fear prevails always.
Whichever one it is, you have to feel certain that your child is safe. If you have doubts,
your child is in the wrong place, and you will never be able to 'let go' and concentrate
on your work.
It is hard, when you first embark on a search for childcare, |
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to know how you can be sure that your child is with a trustworthy
person. But you can eliminate many grey areas by taking steps to assure yourself that your
carer is safe to be with your child.
Here are a few steps: |
How can I be sure that I can trust this carer?
The first step is not to make any assumptions. Make sure that everything you know about a
person has evidence to back it up, and if it doesn't, take steps to get facts verified.
This is not rude, or insulting, to a potential carer. In fact, all responsible carers will
know exactly why you must do this, admire you for your thoroughness, and offer information
freely.
You can start by doing the following when you are thinking of
employing someone:
Check identification: a passport, driver's licence or birth certificate would be helpful.
Don't forget marriage certificate if the carer's name has changed. Ask potential carers
for a letter from their GP, confirming that they are mentally and physically fit to care
for children. There will be a charge for this, which you should bear, if you are asking
her to do this. Talk to referees. People say things over the telephone that they would not
necessarily commit to paper.
You will be helped in your search, depending on which route you take. For example,
childminders and their families all have to be police checked before they can work. You
will be able to get confirmation that they are registered from your local Social Services
department.
What else can I do?
There is nothing so good as a friend recommending someone to you. You would still be wise
to make checks on the individual, but a personal recommendation from someone you know well
and trust is a great help.
In order to get a feel for the person you are considering, take
into account the following:
Allow plenty of time before you have to make a decision, and use that time to get to know
one another. Listen to your child. If they are not happy with a carer, try to find out
why. Pay attention to their instincts. Overlap as carers, so that she can learn routines
and preferences from you, and you can see how she relates to your child. Listen to other
mothers who have used her trust your judgement. Bad feelings often have a grounding in
truth. It may seem unfair to reject someone on the grounds that it doesn't feel right, but
you should do that.
The golden rules in finding the right carer for you are:
. Give it time
. Don't opt for second best
. Be thorough in your search - and don't
assume anything
. Trust your instincts
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