Traditionally as men went out working to provide for the family, the role of raising children mostly fell on the mother. However with modernity and the daily hustle to make ends meet, most mothers have to juggle work and parenting. This means they have less time to look after children.

Enter the modern day care centre

For the time-pressed working mother who is passionate about providing for their child’s social and intellectual development, the day care centre is the solution. In a good facility, parents can expect a healthy, child-friendly environment that caters for the nutritional and educational needs of the little ones.

The question remains, though, what is a good day care facility; and what should it offer?

To answer this question, The Education Times team caught up with Jane Kalega, a supervisor at Spring Dales Daycare and Nursery in Kimironko, below Chez Hirwa. It admits children from 3 months to 5 years of age.

According to Kalega, parents may choose to leave their children at the centre for any reasonable length of time, ranging from an hour to a few days, depending on their needs. The children’s safety is guaranteed by the caretakers at the centre, and their parents can pick up the children at any time of their convenience.

Role played by the caretakers

As one of the caretakers, Kalega’s task is not an easy one, as she has to wake up very early in the morning to take care of what she now feels is her bigger family.

"I wake up at 4:00am every morning. It is part of my training as I prepare myself for yet another day,” Kalega says

After 8 years working in childcare, Kalega says the job comes easy to her since she bonds quite easily with children, and the love for them comes naturally to her as a mother.

She explains that while performing her work every day, the main focus during infant growth is on mental and language development through which infants are supposed to learn how to communicate.

"Children are taught speech first with the aid of acceptable sign language and body gestures.”

"Sometimes when you ask them a question, they will all excitedly put up their hands because they are eager to answer,” she adds. Other times, the response may be a little lukewarm, and she has to adjust depending on the mood of the day, and find something appropriate for the children’s interests and learning needs.

Exercise

In addition to this, toddlers need a bit of exercise to stay healthy and Anita Rukundo a teaching assistant at the day care centre takes the children through physical exercise and coaching in disciplines like sports, something she says is a must for any day care facility.

Both Kalega and Rukundo agree that when toddlers are at home, they may fail to have an opportunity to stretch their legs and arms making them miss out on activities likely to improve their muscle strength, balance and coordination.

"Physical activity combined with the light lessons such as climbing tunnels, dancing, walking and playing games such as duck-goose fully engages the young ones into training,” Rukundo explains.

"Above all else, the issue of the children’s safety is of utmost importance in a day care facility,” stresses Kalega.

Self initiated activities

Ideally, the day care should allow children to develop and exercise their creativity. Because children are not only interested in being taught all the time, they should be encouraged to individually develop what they feel is desirable.

"This is why they are given time to exercise what they know,” says Mary Mukarutamu, a nursery teacher in Kimironko.

According to this caretaker, it is through playing that infants relate to real life situations.

She stresses that toddlers enjoy exploring various roles and imaginations which also help to develop their confidence, speech and skills.

For instance, Mukarutamu adds, "An imitation area like a toy supermarket would nonetheless give children the experience of a real grocery shop whereas a math centre improves mathematical skills.”

She also cautions that children should be addressed in language that affirms them, rather than negative language.

"Statements like ‘Don’t do that!’ discourage the kids,” she says. Instead, she advises, they should be assisted through rewarding statements like ‘When you do this, you will get that.’

Children should also be provided time to express their creativity through games and art work.

Materials such as paint, clay, crayons and coloured construction paper should be accessible within the children’s facilities to offer creative freedom.

This is why Kalega insists that: "Children are allowed to access, a dramatic play centre which helps to cool off their daily work load.”

But all is not about fun within the child care facilities.

Expert research done on child well being reveals that some children who may have underlying health conditions require special treatment.

Health services

Within a day care facility, it is mandatory for parents to provide medical details of their children prior to full admission.

Kalega notes that medical details are necessary especially for children who may have serious conditions like epilepsy or allergies among others.

To do their work well, the day care centres have to work closely with the parents. What do the mothers and fathers who entrust their infants to these centres look out for in a good facility for their kids?

Parents speak

Resty Mukashema, one of the parents at Spring Dales, says: "If the facility is well equipped with educative, playing material, and good caretakers, the child is not only safe, but he or she can also develop their talents much better in such an environment.”

"I decided to enrol my son in preschool and I believe it is something which has helped him acquire a lot of skills,” Mukashema shares.

Geoffrey Mutwayesu, a father of two, believes that his younger daughter learns a lot from the day care school.

"Since I enrolled her into day care, she stopped crying most of the time. Unlike before, when I would have to postpone all the most important duties just to look after her, I now have enough time for everything.”

Fees structure

In Rwanda, the cost of kindergarten fees varies depending on the number of hours. The cost may also include other utilities such as insurance, uniforms and transport if need be.

For instance daily fees range between Rwf3, 000 and Rwf5, 000, while weekly costs are in the range of Rwf20, 000 and 30,000. For a term, most nursery schools with day care sections charge between Rwf 200,000 to Rwf 300,000.

Government policy

The government policy on early child hood development states that for ages between 0 and 6, children should develop through a holistic manner which requires nurturing and support from parents, legal guardians and caregivers. These should provide opportunities for stimulating play, early learning, good health care, nutritious balanced diet, clean water, hygienic environment, love, safety and security so as to grow up healthy, socially well-adapted and emotionally balanced.

Advice

Parents should not have to choose between a career and taking good care of their children. A day care is one good alternative to help you create time for both. Just make sure to look at each and every aspect of the available facilities. You want to ensure you choose one that will help your child grow in all aspects of life. Our children deserve nothing less.

Teachers, parents give their advice

Sylivester Kalema

I would definitely take my child to a kindergarten to help him or her get used to a school environment and learn how to interact with people from different backgrounds. A child who went through nursery can never be the same as the one who went to primary school straight.

Paul Kanyerezi

I strongly believe the kindergarten I went to played a fundamental role in my education and personality. The level of confidence one portrays and the fluency in English also differs depending on whether one went to nursery or not. Based on my experience, I would certainly take my child to a kindergarten.

Chrysostom Gato

Kindergarten is meant to tune a child into a serious academic oriented person. Therefore it’s ideal that any person who wants their child to be academically sound takes their child to a kindergarten school. The fruits may not be seen immediately but they are there.

Donat Nshyiremtsere

I wouldn’t take my child to a day care centre when they are still very young. Children need to be near their parents in order to learn their culture and enjoy parental love. A kindergarten is not bad but parents are the best teachers.

Adrian Kubwimana

I would take my child to a kindergarten to learn language (English) better and get used to a new environment. It’s true children need to be with their parents but some of them misuse the chance and become very stubborn to the extent of refusing to study. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated in school.

Tharcisse Nsanzimana

I cannot take my child to a kindagarten because I need to monitor them and nurture them appropriately. To me the best teacher is a parent and must therefore create time for the child however busy they might be.