Living and Loving – August 2019

family life

PHOTOGRAPHY

GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK

72 | AUGUST 2019 | L&L

Meals
What do you require in the way of
meals? Not all schools serve breakfast,
lunch and snacks and the price should
reflect what’s provided. Check out
the kitchen and the certificates from
the local authority indicating that the
school is licenced to provide meals.
Look at the menus. Is there sufficient
variety and fresh fruit and vegetables?
Ask about who feeds the little ones
and how meals are conducted for the
older children. Are they forced to eat
their meals? Can the school cater for
genuine allergies (not fussy eaters)?

Supplies
If your child is still a baby, check the
policies on formulas, nappies, wet wipes
etc. If the school supplies everything,
it may be a little more expensive
but well worth your while in
terms of convenience. Look
at the nappy changing
areas, where everything
should be neatly labelled
and the area safe and
well ventilated, with
proper disposal facilities.
Potty training areas
should be bright and
welcoming, with small toilets
for children aged two plus.
Are the baby rooms warm
enough for the babies to play and
crawl on the floor and not be kept in
a cot all day? Who provides the cot
linen and how often is it washed?
There should be a nursing sister
available for very young babies, as
well as well-trained carers who will
talk to, and stimulate, your child.

General atmosphere
Last but not least, the atmosphere of the
school should be welcoming and child
friendly. Don’t be swayed by the latest
technological devices and lessons if
the staff seem aloof and uncaring. With
proper research, your child should be
happy and well stimulated in the chosen
environment until it is time for Big School.

Click on Family, for nine things

you need to ask about your

child’s after-school care.

LIVING

AND

LOVING

.CO.ZA

Outdoor

environment

The outdoor area should have

grass, sand, water, shade and wheeled

toys, as well as safe climbing and swinging

equipment, appropriate for the different

age groups. Children are stimulated by

their environment, so the garden should be

attractive, bright and well supervised. Gross

motor development underlies all other

development at this age so there should

be a minimum of an hour per morning

and afternoon set aside for

active, outdoor play. LL