Balancing work and parenting: the importance of childcare

Parenting and professional life are akin to walking a tightrope, with both requiring your full attention but often pulling in opposite directions.

Childcares come to the rescue of busy parents. Home-based or run out of a centre, childcares are nurturing environments where young minds grow, explore, and engage in meaningful ways. And while as parents, we are often ridden by the guilt of handing or child to the care of another, there are multiple benefits of doing this.

• Good for the family economics. Parents who are active in the workforce have an economic impact on the family, whilst being able to enjoy career continuity for future prosperity.
• Social benefits. Home or centre-based childcare allows children to meet peers from diverse backgrounds at a young age, learning the art of social interaction. For parents, the connection often creates informal networks that can act as support systems, sharing advice and experiences that are invaluable in the parenting journey.
• Holistic learning for children. Centre and home-based childcares offer a structured learning programme, based on Ministry of Education recommended Te Whariki. Delivered through passionate and experienced educators, this ensures holistic development for your child, setting them up for success at school and beyond.
• Choosing the right childcare

Now that you’ve understood the importance of childcare for your family and little one, it is important to find one that is right for everyone. It is about finding a place where your child feels safe, loved, and inspired to grow. With so many options, including home-based childcares, knowing what to look for can make all the difference.

Here are some to help you navigate this journey and find the best fit for your little one’s needs.

• Understand your family’s need before you start the hunt for the perfect childcare. Do you need something full-time or part-time? Would a location closer to home be more suitable or are you better off finding something near your workplace? Do you have a preference for a centre or a home-based educator? How much can you spend on childcare – financial considerations also play a part in choosing your childcare.
• Look for qualifications and accreditations. All childcares, including home-based educators, must have a license from the Ministry of Education to operate. For home-based educators, this happens generally through the provider they associate with. Home2Grow is a leading provider of home-based childcare in Auckland. Not only do they ensure minimum standards are met by educators as per license conditions, but they support their network of home-based educators with high-quality educational resources, access to play groups and guidance to ensure they can provide the best possible care to your child.
  Home2Grow educators are also assessed for qualifications, experience and police checks before becoming a part of the network, giving parents much-needed peace of mind.
• Visit and observe. No better way to get comfortable than visiting the centre or home-based childcare you are considering. Meet the educators. See how they interact with other children (note: home-based childcares have four or less children at all times) and what activities they do with the children. Check the overall environment for safety and cleanliness (note again that Home2Grow coordinators also conduct these checks regularly to ensure quality is maintained). Ask the educators questions and make sure you are comfortable with their approach.
• Ask around for reviews and recommendations. Speak with parents whose children have gone to the same educator. Even ask around in local play groups for home-based educators.
• Trust your instincts. If your child is comfortable during the visit and you get a good feeling when you visit a home-based childcare or even a centre-based one, trust your instincts.

Got a question about childcare or are you are looking for one around Auckland and wondering what is right for your family and you, talk to us on 0508 466 324.