The time has come: you’re ready to find a child care center. Whether you’re going back to work or just looking for more support during the day, it’s important to find the right partner. You don’t want to trust the most precious member of your family to just anyone. But what should you look for? You know you want a high quality center, but how do you know if you’ve found it?
Cost, location and availability are three key considerations when choosing a child care centre, but they’re not the only factors to keep in mind. It’s also important to think about the relationships, spaces, values and other offerings that will help your child learn well and feel well in their early learning years.
This simple, checklist will help you find the right preschool program for your child. We hope to meet you and your family soon!
Communication.
Good communication underpins great relationships, and before you even visit a school, you’ll get a sense of how well the child care centre communicates through its online presence. Look for centres that consider you as a parent by providing what you need to know on their website, such as opening times, activities and programs, as well as testimonials and advice. This shows that the centre is vested in their families and want your interactions with them to be positive.’
Inspiring early childhood education environments and resources.
Whether a child care centre is big or small, new or established, it’s important that it offers a variety of places and things that will inspire your child to learn through play. Your under five have their own personality, moods and interests, and there should be areas for them to socialise, explore, roleplay and relax.
Outdoor spaces are also important, but big isn’t always better. Instead of focusing solely on size, think about, ‘What’s been provided to create opportunities, such as being able to climb, dig in a sandpit, play with water or work in a garden. All these activities support a child’s physical development and encourage ways in which children can socialise. and learn.
Socialisation is a key in developing children's ability to work with others, problem-solve, and have fun through imaginative play.'
Licensing Status
Check to see if the kindergarten is licensed, registered, certified, or legally licensed-exempt. Also, see if the program’s license been suspended or revoked or is still working. Also look at the kindergarten’s inspection reports to see if it has violated any health and safety requirements and how they fixed those violations.
The Staff
The people who will be caring for your child on a day to day basis is another element to consinder.
Take some time to know the staff at the kindergarten where you will be leaving your child. Do they seem like people you can entrust your child with.
Are they qualified and experienced in providing early childhood education and care.
Curriculum
There are very many different types of learning philosophies and curriculum out there and it is difficult to learn all of them. Make sure the Curriculum offered in the learning centre will be suitable for your child.
Nutrition and wellbeing
Educating children about healthy eating and wellbeing is an important part of early childhood development and that it lays the groundwork for a positive food attitude throughout life.
Children will role model adults on their love of food, so see how the centre approaches mealtimes, making sure they replicate your values of nutritious, fresh food and inclusive, fun meals
This is all excellent advice because at the end of the day, you’re not just looking for the right centre that isn’t just available, with affordable childcare fees and easily accessible and good facilities, but one that will teach, nurture and inspire your child, too.
Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the daycare’s policies and procedures. Ask about their approach to discipline, their sick child policy, and what activities the children will be engaged in.
In conclusion, good daycare will have appropriate staffing levels; staff will engage in professional development opportunities, has a small group of kids in the same age range as your child; live pets such as rabbits; outdoor play settings & indoor play settings in good repair and many other qualities including good nutrition.
Really cool post! Thanks!