When it's time to hand your kid over to someone else to watch, it can be nerve-wracking. How do you know you're putting your kid in the right place? Here are some suggestions from a reader on things to look for when choosing a day care for your children.
Your child is your pride and joy, the love of your life, a special part of you. The idea of someone else caring for them can be a bit scary at first. But it's important to understand that daycare is no longer the "old school" place it used to be years ago.
Choosing a daycare can be a very tough decision. There are many things to consider when finding the best one for your child, including location, hours, environment, and cost. Here are some tips to help your family find the best daycare center for your little loved ones.
Make Sure the Daycare Has Insurance
Daycare insurance is needed to protect both you and the daycare from any accidents that may occur. This includes injuries to your child as well as property damage caused by your children.
Many daycares have a lot of kids with a wide range of personalities, activities, and interests. This means accidents often happen, so you must know who is liable in such cases. It's a good idea to check out the insurance of any daycare you’re interested in taking your child into.
Find Out if They Are Licensed
Licensed daycares are held to higher standards than unlicensed facilities. You will find they have better-trained staff and higher ratios of children per staff member. This means that your child will have a lot more one-on-one time with teachers at a licensed facility, which is what you want for your little loved ones.
It's also a good idea to find out if the daycare is nationally accredited or locally licensed, as it will give you a better idea of the quality of care they offer. A nice added bonus of looking for a nationally accredited center is that you can use their accreditation as an insurance policy in some cases.
Ask About Their Curriculum
You should be comfortable with the curriculum set out by any daycare you take your child into. You will know what topics your child is learning about and how much time they will be spending on those topics each day.
Make sure you ask how their curriculum is set out. That way, you know what to expect when it comes time for report cards. And if you are interested in early childhood education, look for a place that offers an age-appropriate curriculum.
Consider the Location
The location of the daycare also plays a major role when you are choosing one. If you have to drive far just to get your child there, it can be a burden on you and could also lead to stressful morning routines that may cut into valuable sleep time for everyone.
It's best to find a daycare close to home and/or your place of work so it’s easily accessible and won't take up too much time out of your schedule. Consider a daycare that is a few blocks away or less, and also ask if it’s near any major traffic areas.
Ensure Their Hours Match Yours
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hours for you and your family such as work hours, school schedules, nap times, and other commitments like sports activities. It's important to make sure that whatever daycare you choose can accommodate your specific needs.
If you work standard 9-to5 work hours, it would be best to find a daycare that operates at those times as well. This makes it easier for everyone if your child's sleeping patterns are similar to yours and school hours. It will also ensure that pick-up time is consistent, and there will be no issues with you arriving at the daycare to pick up your child and having to wait for hours because they are still asleep.
Evaluate the Environment
An important factor to consider when picking a daycare is the environment, such as size, noise levels and safety of surroundings. You want to ensure that your child will be safe and comfortable in their surroundings.
Large daycares are often not suitable for young children because they are less likely to get the one-on-one attention they need. There have even been cases of children being harmed in large daycare centers by other older children, so it's preferable to find a smaller center with fewer kids running around.
Final Thoughts
Once you have researched and chosen the daycare that best suits your needs, it's essential to act fast if the place is in high demand. It's worth finding out when spots are filled up if you find yourself desperate for a daycare in the future.
As long as you’re thorough in your research, the best daycare for you and your little loved ones will be easy to find.