Child Care Centers

What to Look in a Child Care Center

When choosing a child care center, call several different centers in your area. Ask if they have spaces available in your children's age groups. Chat with the person who answers the phone to get a general feel for the mood of the center. Once you have narrowed down your possibilities, plan a day to visit the centers.

Cleanliness

One of the first things you'll notice when you enter the child care center is how clean it is. But this goes beyond whether the floors are mopped and the toys are picked up. Ask how often the toys are disinfected, particularly in the infant and toddler rooms, where things often end up in children's mouths. Check out their diapering area and make sure they are using proper sanitation. Ask to see where the food is prepared to ensure proper practices there as well.

Teacher to Child Ratio

The requirements for teacher to student ratio varies based on the age of the children. Obviously, the less children per teacher, the more attention your child will receive at the center. The younger the child is, the more important that is.

Happy Children

Possibly the most important factor when visiting child care centers is to observe the children that are already there. What types of activities are they engaged in? Is the staff talking to the children in a pleasant manner? Do the children appear happy? If not, you probably don't want your children spending time there.

Questions to Ask

While visiting daycares, make sure you ask all the questions that are on your mind. You'll feel better leaving your child there when you have all of the facts.

Curriculum

Children need a structure to their day. A curriculum doesn't have to be completely academic, but a center should have a basic routine that the children follow each day. The routine should include some free play time, as well as some large group activities like listening to books or singing songs.

Policies

Most facilities have policies on issues like sick children, visits to the center throughout the day, and vacation days. If you are breastfeeding, be sure to ask about their policies regarding breast milk, as these can vary from center to center. Obtain as much information as possible before making a decision.

Summary

Choosing a child care center is an extremely important decision for working parents. Be assertive when asking questions while visiting centers and most of all, trust your instincts. More than anyone else, you know what is best for your child.