Did you know choosing a daycare center would add extra care and nourishment to your little one’s upbringing?
Studies show that more than half of the primary caregivers (parents) are full-time employed. Around 1 in every 6 Americans reported assistance caring for their family member or close relative.
It looks like the assistance of daycare centers in childcare would be very beneficial for parents struggling with their busy schedules. If you have decided to utilize the services of daycare centers for your child, it’s a big decision. However, if you are unable to manage your work schedule and parenting, daycare centers are the best option for you. Even if you are a first-time parent, daycare centers can help a lot to give exceptional care and early childhood education to your little one.
Let’s help you in choosing a daycare center for your kid. From the different types of childcare to the questions you should ask during the process, here’s a complete guide for you.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHILDCARE CENTERS
There are many kinds of childcare centers each providing specific childcare offers. So it often becomes confusing for parents to choose childcare which suits best for their kids. Here’s a list of 3 most common types of childcare settings that you can consider while choosing a daycare center.
- TRADITIONAL DAYCARE CENTERS:
This type of childcare service has mostly been observed recently. Traditional daycare centers provide full-day or half-day care for your kid depending on your choice. It includes their meals, fun activities, and other education programs.
Daycare centers are often located in stand-alone buildings or sometimes in religious institutions as well.
- IN-HOME DAYCARE:
As the name suggests, in-home daycare involves the provision of daycare facilities to your kid within the boundaries of your home. A licensed caretaker is hired and they daily come to your home to take care of your child.
If you are worried about your child’s safety, in-home daycare can help you ease out.
- PRE-SCHOOL:
Pre-school is somehow similar to the other daycare facilities. Children from the ages of 2-5 should attend preschool centers. They provide early learning, basic life skills, age-appropriate tasks, and teaching responsibilities that help a lot in child development.
Pre-schools often charge monthly and sometimes the traditional daycare centers provide preschool care as well.
You should keep your preferences in mind while choosing a daycare center for your little one. Based on them, you’ll be able to decide which daycare type to choose.
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE CHOOSING A DAYCARE CENTER?
It’s a very time-consuming process to choose the best daycare center based on your location and other preferences. However, here’s a list of some easy steps you can follow to choose the best daycare for your child.
DO YOUR RESEARCH ONLINE
Search for the best daycare centers near you online. For Example, if you are living in Texas, search “best daycare centers in La Porte Texas” and a list of many daycare centers would be in front of your tab.
Moreover, you can take suggestions from other parents, friends and family. It makes it easier to find a daycare center.
INTERVIEW THE CENTERS YOU ARE INTERESTED TO VISIT
You might have a list of daycare centers around you that you are interested in visiting. Interview with them online via the online consultation on their website. You can get a pretty clear idea if you want to proceed further or move to another center through that discussion. It’s also a very important step to have a consultation before choosing a daycare center.
LOOK FOR REFERENCES
While choosing a daycare center, do not just look for persuasive and glowy words. Check out the reviews and testimonials of the daycare you are interested in. Reach out to the present of past clients if possible to get a deeper insight into the environment, health and hygiene, staff qualifications, and other factors.
VISIT THE CENTER RANDOMLY
When you get sure about any daycare center, visit there on any random day without informing them about your visit.
That’s how you can explore naturally and get an idea of their expertise when they are not prepared for any visit. It helps a lot to get a truer picture of their service while choosing a daycare center.
Some centers may not allow unscheduled visits. So you confirm if it is possible before your visit.
CHECK FOR ACCREDITATION
The most important thing you should look for is the accreditation of the daycare center. Being a licensed center is not enough to ensure quality service and an adaptable environment. Those daycare centers that are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the National Association for Family Child Care meet higher standards of childcare.
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK WHILE CHOOSING A DAYCARE CENTER
Here’s a list of some important questions that you should make sure to ask while choosing a daycare center for your little one:
- What’s your tuition fee and payment schedule? It is to get an idea of total expense based on your budget and costs.
- What’s your daycare center’s accreditation status?
- What are your policies for caretaking?
- Are there any medical requirements for kids such as different medical tests and vaccines etc?
- What’s your basic schedule for a day that is being followed?
- What do the kids eat for their meals?
- Is there any parental involvement? Like do you encourage the participation of parents in any way?
- If your child gets sick, how will they be handled?
- What if your child threw any temper tantrums at the center? How will that be handled?
- What type of food do you use for babies who just started eating solid food?
- What are the basic criteria for teachers to teach at your daycare center? And what are the basic staff qualifications?
- What type of activities for children are there at your daycare center?
These questions might help you a lot to explore the daycare center to which you are handing over your little one to be taken care of. To keep your peace of mind maintained and parental concerns satisfied, it is important to do the basic research. After all, it’s about the safety as well as proper learning of your little one.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Choosing a daycare center is a big decision in every parent’s life. As the daily life complexities are increasing, parents struggle with giving proper time and care that should be given to kids. That’s why many trusted organizations offer care services such as daycare centers to make life easier for those parents. We hope that this guide will help you a lot in choosing a daycare center for your little one. Based on the curriculum and early childhood development programs, you can avail yourself of the childcare facilities in whatever center that suits best your requirements.
