Our children are precious and as parents, we do everything in our power to protect them from harm. Ideally, most of us would love to do this on our own, but in many households, both parents need to or want to work.
If you’re in one of these homes, quality day care is likely to be one of your biggest concerns. Finding someone you can trust with your children while you are working is vital to the safety of your child and to your own peace of mind.
Start Early
Have you ever tried to find a last minute babysitter in order to have an impromptu night out with your hubby? Without luck on your side, it can be nearly impossible. The same holds true for finding quality daycare. As the centres with the best care and reputation likely have a waiting list, adding yourself to the queue as soon as possible increases your chances of snagging a spot in your first choice. With a last minute scramble, you may end up stuck with a provider that you aren’t fully confident with, or worse yet, no daycare at all. Looking at daycares while you are pregnant or even just talking about returning to work will give you the most positive options.
Ask Family And Friends
Letting your friends and family members know that you are on the hunt for a daycare provider for your children can be beneficial in two ways. First, you could get an offer from a family member to care for your children, either in their home or your own, eliminating the need to place your child in the care of strangers. Having someone you know watch your children can also be a huge money saver as they will likely charge you significantly less, or even nothing at all, compared to costly daycare options. The other advantage to talking to those you are familiar with about daycare is that they may have a recommendation for you about a trusted provider or two or the inside scoop on places to avoid. This can save you time and effort.
Visit the Centre
Once you find a few options that you are interested in, call to schedule a tour. It is best to visit during the day, when children are present, as this will give you a better idea of the environment. If they balk at the idea of you visiting during business hours, this may be a red flag that you might want to consider another provider. Centres that are open and welcoming to prospective clients usually have little to hide.
When you are at the centre, here are a few things to look for:
1. Cleanliness – Of course, there may be some toys strewn around during active playtime, but on the whole, every area of the centre should be clean and organised. Pay particular attention to the cleanliness of food prep areas.
2. Safety Issues – Check to make sure that all toys and play equipment look to be in good repair. Make sure sharp objects are kept from reach of little hands. Electrical outlets should be covered and cords should be out of reach. Look for smoke detectors and fire exits, too.
3. Interaction – Are the children being properly supervised by the staff? Does it seem that they are in an environment that would be inspire learning and creativity? A quality daycare will foster children’s creativity and provide learning abilities, while providing proper supervision and care.
4. Good Vibes – When exploring the centre pay attention to your own instincts and reactions. If you feel comfortable in the surroundings, your children likely will, as well.
Interview The Director
When time permits, take the opportunity to ask the director questions about their experience, policies, and any other information about the centre that may be pertinent. Here are a few questions to help you get started. You can add to this list as your own personal questions arise. Remember, if a centre is not open and honestly with information, it is probably not the best place for your child to attend.
1. What accreditation and licensing do you possess?
2. What are the education and training requirements for your staff?
3. What is the staff/child ratio at your centre?
4. What are the hours of operation and the holiday schedule?
5. What are the rates and are there any fees or penalties?
6. How does the staff handle injury or illness? What is the sick policy?
7. What supplies are provided by the centre and what would we have to provide ourselves?
8. Is there an open-door policy for parent visits? How do you handle communication with parents about updates, problems, or changes to policy?
9. What is the daily schedule for the children? Naps, education, playtimes, etc.
10. What do you need and expect from me before and during my child’s enrolment in your centre?
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