Part 2- Preparing Financially for Your Baby

CHILD CARE: this is the one thing most people take for granted when it comes to preparing for a baby financially because in our culture it is expected that your mom or female relative will come to stay with you to help take care of the baby after delivery. But with the current economic state, that is not always possible or feasible for a long period.

Maternity leave is a total of 12 weeks of paid leave in Ghana but some companies may have special arrangements for their staff, an example is paternity leave for fathers.

You can also speak with your HR on how to add your annual paid time off or leave to your maternity leave.

Child care especially when the mother has to return to work can be costly if not planned properly. Let’s assume you have your mom or sibling or another relative helping out that will mean a rise in your household bills. If for some reason the person is unavailable, say due to ill health, you will need to find someone else to stand in or you take some days off work. Always have a backup plan in place.

Don’t leave anything to chance

Having Nannies also comes with its costs and struggles. This one we need a whole topic on it. But do not forget the cost factor when making your budget, whether, from an agent or extended family member or friend of a friend of a relative, it comes with its own bills and wahala.

If you decide to take the daycare or school approach, it is best to start scouting early. The reason being an early start will give you more time to better access the school environment and make a decision that will be right for your pocket, your child, and your peace of mind.

A few pointers when searching for a school/daycare:

1- Affordability: Expensive doesn’t always equate to good care. If you are going to pick a school that will leave you cash strap, why bother? Pick one that meets all or most of your must-haves but is still in the affordable range. Take into consideration distance too as Transportation to a school far away is basically equal to an expensive fee paying school close by unless there are other factors in play

2- Cleanliness: A school being clean is very x3 important, I can’t stress that enough, as your child will spend the majority of their time in school. Check the washrooms, and the kitchen, and look at how the kids are handled during diaper changes, etc. You can go multiple times if you have the time or go around the time school closes. If a school denies you a tour of the premises, it is a red flag, listen to the reason given and decide if it is good enough.

3- Meals and feeding schedule: Will you pack the baby’s meals, or she will eat from the school kitchen? How are they fed, in a group, one on one, or allowed to feed themselves and later topped up? Will the teacher at least rinse the bowls or bottles? Will you need to provide hot water in a flask, etc.? What happens if the baby wants more food? If I am late to pick her up, will she get at least a snack? How many times do they feed in school? Is there a fridge and microwave to store and warm food? Need for thermos containers?

4- Class size and teacher ratio: this may seem unnecessary but imagine a class of 20 babies having just 1 adult, I mean she will have only 2 eyes, hands, and legs and we all know how fast a child can get into trouble if left unattended. At least a small class size or 2 teachers per class is ideal.

5- Ventilation and class size: A well-ventilated classroom equals fewer trips to the hospital for you. Babies ‘share’ germs a lot. You may have heard someone say their baby or toddler in school seems to always have a cold or one infection or the other. This can be reduced with a well-ventilated classroom. This also means there will be a lot of sunlight/ natural light in the classroom.

6- Emergency readiness: This is one of the things I always ask when I visit a new school. How do you handle emergencies and a sick child? My reason? My daughter had very bad asthma and started school quite early, my office was a distance away and there were times I may be out for training or other errands. Will you wait to reach me before treating her? Can I bring you a first aid box with all her drugs and a portable nebulizer? Is there someone in the school who knows basic CPR? What happens if you can’t reach me on time?

7- Closing and Opening time: Now this is a point for me that I feel sometimes we mothers abuse a lot. The fact that the school has a late closing time doesn’t mean you get there very late. Try to pick up your child early or whilst everyone is being picked too, this helps your child build their confidence/trust in you, and is a security measure against kidnapping too. Also, try to stick to 2 people at most picking your child. If for any reason there will be a change, make the school aware ahead of time and include the person’s picture in a WhatsApp message to either the school or teacher. If your child can speak, teach them a safe word and the people you consider safe to pick him/her up.

The same applies to dropping them off. Don’t be in a hurry so you leave them with another parent or older child going to the school. See your child to the gate or classroom where possible, give them a hug and let them know you will be back to pick them up or auntie or daddy will do pick up. Spend a little time saying your goodbye, don’t just rush off. Leave home early to accommodate this rather than rushing off after dropping them off.

All in all, make a good choice when selecting a school as this is where your child will spend the majority of their day, learn and form habits. Play an active role in your child’s education, be intentionally present and you will reap the rewards later. Don’t think a question is silly or unimportant to ask, you will be leaving your precious little one with them after all, and you need to be at peace.

Remember money is only as good/important as what you do with it. See you next week, Join us on the app to chit chat and learn