With exorbitant agency fees being demanded for stay-in helpers and lack of support from extended families, the considerations for childcare in Malaysia are down to either a centre-based nursery or a home-based nanny. There are pros and cons to each option and choosing the right one can be an overwhelming task, especially for first-time parents.

Childcare decisions are central to every family. Our emotions often get in the way because it involves our precious, little one who means the world to us. However, it can also be a rational and objective decision, if we have all the critical parameters on hand.

So, here are the important factors that will help you to make the right decision for child.

Priorities on Safety, Security and Hygiene

One of the primary concerns in any kind of out-of-home baby care is the safety and security of the facility. Centre-based nurseries can be found operating out of residential houses, commercial buildings or corporate offices. Therefore, it is important to note the number of entrances and exits the centre has, how is it secured, and whether access is restricted to staff or parents only. CCTV cameras should also be enabled inside and outside the vicinity for added security.

TIP:
Do ask about the centre’s policy for child pick up.

 

A well-managed nursery would also have a properly documented. Sickness and Infection Control policy that details out all the routine and precautionary measures carried out at the facility. There should also be scheduled periodic cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting being carried out. You should also inquire about the centre’s protocols in handling and isolating outbreaks of common infectious disease like the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (“HFMD”), Influenza or Rotavirus cases.

Besides, health screening should also take place daily before entry to ensure that children who exhibit any signs of sickness or discomfort can receive the necessary medical attention.

While you may have lesser concerns about safety when it comes to a nanny operating out of her own home, it is also important to observe if the doors are securely locked when making a house visit. Often, it is rather difficult to enforce a high level of hygiene and cleanliness at the nanny’s home if it is not up to your satisfaction.

It is a common myth that your child might not fall sick so easily if sent to a nanny because there are lesser children compared to a nursery. However, it is also worth noting that cleaning and sanitizing efforts may also not be carried out as consistently and conscientiously as in a center-based set up. Daily health checks and quarantining of sick children are also not commonly practised at home-based nannies.

 

Qualification & Experience of Educators/Nurses

It is comforting to know that most home-based nannies usually have years of experience under their belt when it comes to caring for young children. Some of them might have worked as confinement ladies in their younger days.

However, it is more assuring to know that, in recent years, many center-based nurseries engage qualified medical nurses to care for the babies. These nurses usually hold a valid license with the National Board of Nursing and possess the necessary skills and experience required to feed, shower, clean and care for even the youngest babies.

 

TIP:
Request to introduce your child to his or her teacher before officially starting school.

 

A center with good governance will also ensure that their educators and nurses have undergone certification for First Aid and Basic Life Support to undertake any emergencies. For example, a child that chokes on milk or a febrile seizure are common incidents in a childcare setting. These nurses and educators who are equipped as first-aid responders would be able to administer the appropriate treatment while the child gets to the hospital.

As your child transitions from a baby into a toddler or pre-schooler, you may also want to inquire about the qualifications and experience of the educators. While a diploma or degree in early childhood education is preferred, you should also look for an educator who is not only experienced but also passionate about what she is doing. If the centre does not provide an onboarding session, you may request for one where your child can be introduced to his or her teacher before officially starting at the school.

Take this opportunity to observe the interactions between your child and his or her educator before deciding.

Philosophy & Curriculum

Perhaps it’s a little premature to think about the curriculum carried out at the nursery & preschool when your child is just a baby, but it is still of paramount importance that you take a keen interest in the school’s philosophy for education and care. Look for a program that sets a strong foundation for your child. For example, an emphasis on tri-lingual proficiency will grant your child the added advantage to embark on any stream of primary education.

Besides that, a fun yet stimulating environment with the right exposure to developmentally-appropriate activities will ensure that your child develops the cognitive and social emotional skills required for his or her age.

 

TIP:
Look for a program that sets a strong foundation for your child.

 

While most preschools offer structured learning programs from age 2 years and above, only a small handful offers activity or play-based learning for toddlers from as early as 15 months old to take advantage of the “sensitive periods” emphasized by the Montessori pedagogy for early years learning. With the appropriate amount of stimuli, you will see your child blossom in amazing ways far exceeding the children of their same age.

 

Licencing & Educators-to-Child Ratio

The governance and surveillance of nurseries & preschools in Malaysia falls under jurisdiction of the Department of Social Welfare or Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (“JKM”). JKM is also empowered to provide licensing to set-ups that fulfil the requirements outlined in The Childcare Centre Act 1984. It is also worth noting that the RM1,000 tax deduction on childcare expenses is only claimable if you subscribe to the services of a licensed childcare provider.

The appropriate educator-to-child ratio is also provided by JKM. Licensed childcare centres are expected to comply with these ratios for each age group:

• For babies 0 to 1 year, the ratio is 1 nurse to 3 infants;
• Toddlers 1 to 3 years, the ratio is 1 educator to 5 toddlers;
• Pre-schoolers 3 years and above, the ratio is 1 educator to 10 children.
• The ratio is the same for centre-based nurseries and home-based nannies.

Nevertheless, a lower than published ratio practised by certain providers might indicate that the centre may be placing higher priorities on safety or targeting small & focused group learning. So, be sure to clarify on the ratio practised at each set-up and ask about the reasons for the lower or higher ratios observed.

 

Meal Plans

It is also important for you to know what your child eats throughout the day while you are away at work. A center-based nursery will usually provide the three main meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner based on meal plans that have been endorsed by a certified nutritionist.

Children should also be served wholesome and nutrient-packed meals from an array of fruits and vegetables to boost immunity and to power muscle and organ development throughout their growing years.

 

Parent Engagement Channels

In choosing a childcare provider that is best for your child, parents should consider the level of engagement between the provider and the family. Be it a centre-based nursery or a home- based nanny, verbal updates is expected to be provided during pick-up time, and it’s usually a brief roundup of your child’s day.

 

Industry’s best practice is to maintain a daily logbook for each child, recording the feeds, naps and bowel movement that occurred throughout the day.

 

It is also the industry’s best practice to maintain a daily logbook for each child, recording the feeds, naps and bowel movement that occurred throughout the day. This will give you added confidence that the child eats and sleeps well even though they are out-of-home.

Some centre-based nurseries & preschools even utilize a mobile phone app to keep parents updated about their child’s learning activities throughout the week. Older children may also have formal parent-teacher meetings, usually twice a year, to discuss about their progress and developments.

 

Operating Hours

The operating hours of a centre-based nursery is usually fixed, i.e.from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm whilst a handful do offer extended operating hours from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm. Almost all of them will charge penalties for late pick-up. Most of these centres operate from Monday to Friday only.

If you are unable to get off work on time, it would make sense to choose a centre that is close to your workplace rather than your home.

If your working schedule does not fit into the usual office hours or are required to work on weekends, a home-based nanny might offer your better flexibility with allowed customization according to your needs. Some nannies even provide round-the-clock services from Mondays to Fridays for parents who find it impossible to bring their child home every day.

Most, if not all of the centre-based nurseries will have published school calendar which details out the school holidays and term breaks. This will allow parent to plan their leave well ahead of time. On the contrary, if your home-based nanny needs to go on emergency leave due to sickness or personal matters, parents might be left in a limbo with no childcare coverage.

 

Fees

The fees charged by home-based nannies are often cheaper than centre-based nurseries because their services are mainly limited to childcare only. As discussed earlier, depending on the qualification of the educators, a centre-based set-up usually offers a structured learning program in addition to taking care of your child’s physical needs. However, nurseries that are located away from the Central Business District is often more affordably priced mainly due to the lower rental and overheads. Hence, exploring childcare facilities en route between your home and your office might help you save some bucks too!

 

Referrals & Testimonials

Referrals and testimonials are very important regardless of whether you are choosing a centre-based nursery or a home-based nanny. Look for recommendations by people who have experienced the services they are vouching for.

 

Considering a Career Break to be a Stay-at-Home Mum?

Your motherly instincts and the releasing of oxytocin that comes with breastfeeding may make it difficult for you to return to your job without having a reliable and trust-worthy childcare provider.

Depending on how flexible your employer is, it may be possible for you to extend your maternity leave a little longer or opt for unpaid leave until your child is older. If both options are not plausible, and you still feel very strongly about staying with your child, then you might have to resign and return to the workforce later when you are ready.

 

Think about how long your career break should be – Simply because it may be difficult to return to the previous position or salary range if your break is too long.

 

Opting to be a stay-at-home mum will mean that you get to be with your baby all the time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. His first smile, his first coo, his first step…. you will be there to witness each milestone. And these are, without a doubt, the most fulfilling and rewarding things a mother could ever experience. However, staying at home would also mean that your husband will be the sole bread winner for the family. With bills and mortgages to pay and additional expenses from the baby, there is a need for a carefully thought-out plan to ensure that your finances are sufficient to sustain the entire family throughout this period.

It is also important to think about how long your career break should be simply because it may be difficult to return to the previous position or salary range if your break is too long. Research shows that a break of less than one year will not have a significant impact on your marketability and/or perceived capabilities.

 

Armed with all the above information, we wish you all the best in your quest for the best childcare provider for your child!