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Sunday, May 3, 2009
Shopping Lands’ End? Try it on at Sears
Judy Wick of the Deals Team had a good piece of advice for those who like to shop for Lands’ End clothing.
If there is ever something from the online site or in the catalog that you want to try on, you can do so at the Sears store at the Dayton Mall.
Also, Judy said: “If you get on their e-mail database you will receive notice of sales such as this swim suit sale,” which has 30 percent off through Wednesday, May 6.
“And, if they do not have an item you are looking in stock, you may order it, shipping free, to be sent to the store.”
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TweetVote: What is your favorite child-care option?
In today’s Here’s the Deal column, I took a look at what questions to ask when you are looking for a good child-care center, especially for the upcoming summer months.
But the best people to talk to about a particular child-care center or caregiver are the families who have experienced them firsthand.
So, we put together this poll of child-care options in the Dayton area for parents to let other parents know which centers they liked best, and why they liked — or didn’t like — a particular facility or option.
Please note that this is just a sampling of facilities. If you want to vote for a facility omitted from the poll, choose “Other” and write in that facility in the comments section below.
The results of the poll will be in next week’s Here’s the Deal column and blog.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Sunday columns, Talking point
TweetHere’s the Deal: Finding summer child care
Your kids are out of school and you have to work — so what are your options?
For many working parents, primarily those who have children of elementary school age and younger, the best option is to employ a child care provider.
But how do you pick the situation is best for your family?
Visit/interview
If you are considering a child care facility, the best way to find out what it would be like for your child is to visit.
Leanna Madsen, the manager of the child care center at Children’s Medical Center in Dayton, said the most important barometer of whether or not to choose a site is how it makes you feel.
“Safety is No. 1. Trust your gut,” Madsen said. “When you visit, does it feel like chaos or does it feel safe? Is the staff focused on the children or are they more concerned with you?”
If you are considering a nanny or baby sitter, make sure you get a good feeling from her as well.
“Do the background checks,” said Cathi Wingate, the owner of Nannies4Hire.com, a national Web site that matches parents with caregivers. “Find out who is coming into your home. Check out references. Get to know about her family background.”
Ask questions
Be prepared to ask questions of the facility and the nanny (as they apply), such as:
What is the adult-to-child ratio? The Ohio state maximum is 18 children to one adult. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a ratio of one staff person for three to five small children and one staff member for seven to 10 older children.
Are groups separated by age? If so, this can allow for more age-appropriate activities and fewer chances for little ones to be overshadowed by bigger kids. Can your kids be in the same group?
What are the caregiver qualifications? Ask about training, experience and turnover.
What are the discipline policies? How do they address fighting? Bullying? Swearing? Ask for a copy of their policies to make sure their philosophy is in line with yours.
How safe is the facility? Check the building and playground. Are poison control phone numbers and ambulance phone numbers clearly posted? Are there fire alarms? Do they hold fire drills?
Does the playground have impact-absorbing surfaces, such as wood chips, under the swings and slides? Are the children protected from strangers? Are safety gates used for small children? Are outlets covered?
How clean is the facility? How often is the bathroom cleaned? Are the toys and counter tops washed every day?
How do they handle sickness/injury? When do they notify parents? Is medicine given? Is there a nurse on staff? Are the children required to have up-to-date vaccinations?
Is hand-washing a priority? Is the staff certified in first aid? When should you keep your kids home from the center? Will they retain a medical history for the child?
What’s for lunch? Does the site ask for kids to bring lunch? If not, what is on the menu? Is lunch chaotic or calm? Is the food properly stored? Are the kids offered enough fluids?
What is a typical day like? What exactly will the kids be doing? Are there opportunities for every child to succeed? Is there downtime? How often do the kids watch TV or play video games?
How are field trips handled? What is the safety plan? How long are the kids in the van? What about water safety? Who is assigned to whom? Do caregivers apply sunscreen?
Is there an educational component? Is time made to freshen up on reading and math, or is there an effort to teach something new?
What is the cost? How much is it per week? Per day? Do you still pay if your child misses time for illness or vacation? Are there deals for siblings? What discounts are available?
“Quality child care doesn’t come cheap — unless it’s Grandma,” Madsen said.
Third party check
One way to get information locally is to contact 4C Miami Valley, a designated child care resource and referral agency for the region. The agency, which is on 5th street in Dayton, can be contacted at (937) 220-9660.
Karen Middendorf of 4C also suggested parents look into the Step Up to Quality program, a voluntary Three-Star Quality Rating System that recognizes and promotes early care and education programs.
For information on Step Up to Quality, visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Web site or call (877) 852-0010.
A way to check on a facility directly is to contact the Better Business Bureau. On its Web site at DaytonBBB.org, consumers can type in the name of the facility and get a full report.
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