Convenience, Flexibility & Enrichment

Welcome to Daycare

2010-style

By Liz O'Donnell

New trends in childcare are transforming daycare centers. Even if you are a seasoned parent, you could be pleasantly surprised by what you'll find today.

"Parents are constantly concerned with childcare. It is extremely stressful for them,” says Nancy Holtzman, vice president of programs and services for Isis Maternity.

Luckily, many local childcare providers are implementing new policies, innovative technologies, and family-friendly practices designed to ease the worries of working parents and make parents and kids feel close even when they’re apart.

New Regulations: This year, Massachusetts enacted new regulations affecting childcare providers. Among the new requirements, childcare workers must provide written progress reports on each child in their care every three to six months. These reports track the development of the children according to widely recognized developmental guidelines. The childcare workers must also assist children with brushing their teeth after meals. Critics fear the legislation will create a paperwork burden for the workers and as a result detract from the time providers actually spend caring for the children. But parents who spend five, six, eight, even ten hours away from their children each day, welcome the opportunity to know just how their little ones are developing.

KinderCam: More and more daycare centers in Massachusetts are installing video monitoring services so that parents can view the daycare center any time they want. KinderCam, one of the largest providers of childcare viewing systems in the U.S., cites Massachusetts as one the states where it is experiencing tremendous growth. Kindercams are installed in The Learning Zone which has facilities in Weston, Belmont, Watertown and Waltham. Caption: The Learning Zone daycare centers throughout greater Boston use KinderCam, a state-of-the-art camera system which allows parents an effective way to see their child from home or work.

Enrichment programs: Working parents also appreciate knowing their children are not missing out on the many programs and activities designed to support early development. It can be disheartening for a working parent to hear their non-working friends talk about "Mommy and Me"-style art and music appreciation classes because so many of these programs are only offered during work hours. Luckily, some local daycare centers are adding these programs to their curriculum. Maureen Mazzola, center director for Knowledge Beginnings in Needham, says her center offers small group activities such as phonics, reading programs, fitness, math, science and cooking. "Parent's want to be able to do these things with their children," says Mazzola. In fact, parents are welcome to attend these activities if their schedules permit.

Classes and Seminars: Local centers aren't just offering enrichment programs for the children. Many centers also offer courses and seminars for parents too. The goals are two-fold: Help support parents with their child-rearing concerns and help create community for parents who may not have a strong network of parents to discuss concerns, questions, joys and challenges.

Concierge Services: And childcare centers are also looking at ways in which they can ease the day-to-day burdens of working parents. "Centers are trying to become more family friendly," says Holtzman. Full service centers offer meal preparation and pickup and dry cleaning drop-off services. These little extras can have a huge impact on the lives of working parents. They can free up weekends for snuggling and play instead of groceries and errands.

Flex time: Perhaps one of the most heralded changes to daycare centers in recent years, is flexible scheduling options. Gone are the days when premium childcare centers required a 40- hour per week commitment to secure a spot for your child. Today, many facilities have just as many part time options as they do full time. Parents can sign up for two or three day a week slots to match their own flex working schedules. And for parents who freelance, centers like Mazzola's even offer "drop and care" services that provide one-to-two hours of care so parents can attend a meeting or staff an important conference call.

Simple Ways to Stay Close

Although parents and kids may miss each other immensely while a child is in daycare, there are heartfelt ways to stay connected to each other throughout the day.

• If your daycare provider has access to a digital camera, see if they could send you a photo and quick update. Return the favor by sending your own picture and message. 
   
• Purchase a small, durable photo album and fill with happy family photos. Your child can look through it during the day. Include a photo of something you will do together over the weekend (even if its just cuddling in your PJs
• Include stickers in your child's snack or lunch, so they can wear them and be reminded of you.
•  Ask your child to draw a picture of all the things they did at daycare so you can look at it and discuss what they played or learned when you get home

-          Lisa Kelly

Liz O’Donnell is a local mom and columnist. Her work has appeared in GOODlife, The Patriot Ledger and The Glass Hammer.