It is important to look into finding the right child care setting to look after your little boy or girl. After all, you would not get just any babysitter off the street, so why go and get the very first child care setting you find and leave your child there? Just because a child care setting is there in your local area does not mean it is a fit and fully qualified place for your child. For all you know, the OFSTED rating may not be of high standard for the childcare service you want for your child. Different councils and local authorities have very different requirements for someone to run a child care setting, so make sure you are getting a place that is really qualified to take care of your child.

Of course, if you do find a child care setting that looks good, do not just trust your feelings. Your instincts are where you should start, but not where you should finish. If it looks good, take the next step and interview the practitioners there to make sure the child care setting is right for your child. Some child care settings look good on the surface, but below the depths are negligent and irresponsible. You should, if possible, get advice from a friend or relative who has used that child care setting, or from another parent who has a child that goes to the setting. Reading the setting OFSTED report is also a good idea, however, it may not provide a full picture of the childcare setting.

The best way to know about a child care setting, of course, is to ask the children. If you send your child to the child care setting for one day, be sure to find out his or her thoughts about it, and how he or she found or enjoyed the day at the childcare setting. Pay attention to whether or not everything seems okay. Your child will find a way to tell you if things went badly, but he or she may not feel comfortable telling you directly, so watch for any subtle signs. It is best for you as a parent to catch any bad situation before it has a chance to get out of control. The best you can do, is always do the best for your child.