Finding a Day Care
From LoveToKnow Baby
Finding a good day care for your child is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. After all, you want someone that will look out and care for your child as thoroughly as you do, right? Depending on the area that you live in, day care options may be few, or you may find that you have an abundance of choices. Either way, how do you choose a good day care? What should you look for?
Day Care Options
First of all, there are several different day care options for parents to choose from. Obviously, the size of your town will have a direct bearing on how many day care options you can choose from.
Some day cares are licensed commercial facilities, while others are simply run out of private homes. You may choose a day care that is run by a stay-at-home mom or other provider who keeps only two or three other children during the day. However, there are usually several licensed facilities available for parents to leave their children with.
Home-Run Day Cares
When you began your search for that perfect day care situation, you probably turned to family and friends for guidance and suggestions. Word of mouth is great advertising for reputable day care providers. If you get references from those you know and trust, you'll feel much better about leaving your child with others.
Still, it is important that you find out whether the day care you are interested in is licensed to keep children. If you aren't sure about your state's daycare licensing, you can do a search for your individual state on the Internet.
Even if you think you've found the ideal home day care situation, be sure you make at least one unannounced visit, and look for the items on the checklist that are listed later in this article.
Commercial Day Cares
These day cares will be licensed by your state, and they must abide by a strict list of rules and guidelines. While it's great to know that a daycare is licensed, your responsibility as a parent doesn't stop there. Keep the following points in mind when checking out a new day care.
- What is the child/teacher ratio for the center?
- How are the younger and older children grouped? Are they separated?
- What type of outside facilities are available for the children?
- What kind of shape is the playground equipment in?
- What safety guidelines are used both inside and out? Are there evacuation plans in place? Are there plenty of fire extinguishers? Is there a safe place for children during bad weather?
- Are the teachers certified? Do they have early childhood degrees?
- What is the turnover rate for hiring new teachers and assistants?
- How does the center handle discipline?
- What is its policy on sick children?
- How open to communication do the day care director and teachers appear to be?
- How clean is the facility? What is the local health department rating?
- What type of learning materials are used on a daily basis?
- What is the condition of the kitchen and bathroom facilities?
- Where will your child sleep?
- What types of foods are offered to the children?
- Are teachers and assistants certified in CPR.
- What are the day center's rates, and do they expect parents to pay even if a child doesn't come on a particular day?
Finally, if you suspect that there is some type of problem with your child's day care provider, you may need to contact your state's licensing division. For more information, visit SaferChild.org.
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