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Finding Childcare

The best care for your child

Whether you are looking for full-time care or occasional services, when your child has a bleeding disorder your search is more complicated and requires extra steps and measures to ensure your child’s safety and well-being.

Children with bleeding disorders have distinct needs that require special attention. The first step should be to educate yourself about various childcare options offered in your community, and then educate your childcare provider about your child’s special needs. FactorHealth provides this overview on different forms of childcare as a guide to help you make informed decisions on the best care for your child.

Types of Childcare

There are several important issues to consider when looking into childcare. What can you afford? Do you want someone to come in your home? Do you want your child to go to a center? Are there other options? Who can answer your questions about your child’s special needs?

Choosing a childcare provider will be one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent.

Choices. A list of options:

Here’s a list of the most common childcare options:

In-home care is provided by a family member or other individual at your home.
State-licensed homes can care for a limited number of children within each licensed home-setting.
Licensed-exempt childcare is a family home where a parent cares for other children in addition to his or her own children.
Child care centers are places where you leave your child in the care of a trained and paid staff. These can also include centers organized by universities, religious groups and preschools.

A good first step in finding childcare information is to contact your local Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC). Your HTC can connect you with parents in your area who can provide some helpful and practical advice. Other sources include high schools, colleges and senior citizen groups. Home health agencies may have a list of capable and willing home care aides. The National Hemophilia Foundation , 1-800-424-2634, can help you find a Hemophilia Treatment Center in your area. The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, 202-393-5501, can assist you in locating different types of child care programs and can offer information on what to look for when you have a child with special needs.

Things to look for in a center

Once you have identified possible childcare centers, visit each center and meet the people who would be caring for your child. Tell them about your child’s bleeding disorder and his or her special needs, and be sure they can accommodate your child. Remember too, that you want your child to be successful and have an enjoyable experience wherever you choose.

Check to determine:

The building is safe and secure.
Someone is there to greet you.
You get a sense that the center is clean and organized.
The other children in the center look content and engaged.
There is an appropriate caregiver-to-child ratio.

Questions to ask

Do staff members have experience or training in chronic medical conditions?
Is the staff willing to sit down with you and your healthcare provider to learn the required treatment for your child in case of a bleed?
Is there a plan in place for a medical emergency?
Will the center keep factor in their refrigerator?

Plan of Action

Whatever option you choose, the best thing you can do for your peace of mind and for your child’s well-being is to educate the caregiver:

Provide literature about your child’s bleeding disorder.
Educate staff on how to recognize a bleed.
Inform staff of activities that you approve of for your child.
Have your child’s contact emergency information up-to-date.

Contact Information Sheet

Make sure the staff knows how to contact each parent, the child’s physician, local ambulance service and knows your hospital of choice.
Discuss your child’s tendency to bruise easily and have a record kept of significant bruises.
Instruct the caregiver not to give aspirin or aspirin products. No medication should be given without the parents’ permission.
Arrange for you and your child to spend several hours with the caregiver in the home or at the center you’ve chosen observing first-hand how the center is run and what the environment feels like.

You may find some caregivers who are unwilling to care for your child, but don’t let that discourage you. It’s best to find out ahead of time who is and who isn’t willing to care for your child so you can be assured that you’re making the best choice for your child’s care.