I Cried on my first daughter's last day at day care. The teachers were amazing; she made some fantastic friends, and had learnt so many special and different things. Even though I was fortunate enough to only have her in for two days a week, starting after she reached three, her experience enriched our home times, and helped prepare her for new adventures once she turned five.

Luckily, I have had more children, and so in the last few weeks, my three-year-old has been able to begin the preschool experience for herself. I love the preschool she attends - so even though he is getting a little reluctant, I know that once she is settled in she will have a wonderful time. She has just experienced day three - the day where children realise day care in not an endless source of fun and play and can begin to fell like a prison.

I am really happy about the children we have chosen. However, if you are looking at childcare options, there are a few things you hope your day care will not do. Here is a list of warning signs when selecting childcare:

• Piles of crying children with no one attending to their needs. I know kids cry, but if there is not a lot of comforting going on then who will be attending to your child if they get upset?
• Teachers talking to each other and ignoring kids. I really like teachers to talk to me when i come into a centre, but I like it even more if they talk to my child. Our children deserved to have their emotional needs met.
• Same old same old. If you visit a few times and the same activities are out every time, your child may get bored. Bored children misbehave. Ask your centre to explain how they vary their programme.
• Television babysitting. If your centre uses a television on regular basis to entertain your child, you child is missing out. Too much TV is not beneficial for children.
• Lots of growling and shouting. Teachers are trained to find creative ways to say no. They are not there to instill fear into your child. If there is a negative atmosphere with plenty of put downs and shouting, your child will not enjoy their time.
• High staff turnover. Your Child will benefit most from a stable environment. Children will often bond with one or two of the teachers rather than all of them, so changing faces can be very unsettling.
• Lack of hygiene. With so many children in one place, regular hand washing before meals and after toileting is essential. Ask to see the toilet facilities for you child, and what teachers expect from the children in the way of cleanliness. Are there plenty of tissues around for runny noses and spills?
• Aggressive behavior amongst the children. Preschoolers often need help sorting out their problems. They require adults to guide them through making things right with the children they have wronged, and solving friendship issues.

Children are placed in children for a variety of reasons from necessity to lifestyle choice. No child should he in a place where they feel scared, anxious or alone. It is our job as parents to find the best place for them.