How to help your caregiver with this topic

• As your child integrates into the program, remember to check back frequently on concerns and questions that the caregiver may have but doesn't voice.


• Remember that your child is in group care - and that other children have needs that require your caregiver's attention too.


• If your child receives care in a child care center, and has a formal written plan (IFSP, IEP) one staff member should be designated as the care coordinator (contact person). Offer to reimburse (or find a source for reimbursing) your caregiver for out of pocket costs like mileage, copies, substitutes, etc.


• Try to schedule planning sessions that require your caregiver's participation at the child care facility, perhaps during nap time. Finding a substitute so that a caregiver can leave work and attend a meeting is a challenge for most programs, and paying for a substitute is an "undue financial burden" for many programs.


• Evening and weekend requests should be kept to a minimum - caregivers are family members, too.


• Consider additional compensation for any extra work required. Cash or possibly services in kind such as lawn mowing, automotive care, concert or movie tickets, restaurant certificates, something that helps your caregiver and that they would enjoy.


• Communicate clearly and briefly.


• Avoid long chats while the caregiver is working with other children and parents.


• A notebook that's passed back and forth in the diaper bag is a good tool for this.


• State what you'd like to have changed and how the caregiver might make that happen.


• Help your caregiver get the appropriate information they need from your child's health care provider. This includes written authorization and your help in contacting the health provider's office.


• Make sure that important information is shared with the caregiver as changes occur.

For benefits of having diverse populations in child care programs, please see Respecting Differences Section.