Finding a quality daycare center demands attention and making inquiries. It's always best to begin six months ahead of the time you intend to enroll your child. You'll be amazed how the good centers get filled up lighting fast. As you find the best for your child, use the following as your screening criteria:
Good Reputation
A good day care center has an atmosphere of warmth and care, and is known for having a nurturing environment. Ask your prospect for names and contact information of a few clients, and call these people. Let them tell you about their experiences with the center. As an alternative, you can stop by the center some time and ask a few parents there. Also pay attention to your own first impression. It's very important in a scenario such as this. Another great option for quality child care is summer camp.
Clear and Consistent Ground Rules
A daycare center must be flexible, but it should also have established policies governing everything, for pick up time to emergency handling procedures. And all parents must be given written copies of these regulations. This is a good way to know if a center is serious about taking responsibility for the kids. Learn more about great preschools here.
Good Curriculum
A daycare center should have well-structured schedules that balance physical activity, rest time (including reading sessions for each student and as a group), programs, personal activities, meals and snacks, and break time. A daycare center's schedule should be structured in such a way that there is a healthy balance of everything, including physical activities, rest, snacks and meals, reading sessions, programs, individual activities, and break time. A daycare center's schedule should be set in a way that maintains a balance of various activities like play time, snacks and meals, reading sessions, personal time, etc. If TV and videos are part of the curriculum, the shows must be age-appropriate and educational. An outdoor area is, of course, important. Kids must be given the chance to go outdoors and play because this is healthy for their physical, social, and mental development.
Qualified and Caring Staff
Daycare employees should have finished at least two years of college, have early childhood development credentials, and be trained doing CPR and other relevant emergency procedures. They should be responsible, prepared, and enthusiastic about caring for children. You may also want to check if they're receiving good benefits from their employer. If they're happy in their jobs, they're more likely to stay. This helps in ensuring consistent care for your child.
Nutritious Food
If your child needs to bring his own food, know the guidelines. If only healthy food is allowed, that's a positive sign. If they don't limit consumption of candies and other sweets, they may lack genuine interest in the children's welfare. If they do serve food, know what they serve and when. Make it a point that each food group is covered. Very importantly, inform the staff about any food allergies your child may have.
Cleanliness and Safety
There is no center good enough if it is not sanitary. The staff should wash their hands from time to time, especially after changing diapers. The center must also abide by all basic rules of safety, including those that cover the use of toys and play equipment. Working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers must be available, and heaters and radiators should be protected. A first aid kit should be on hand at any time, and all standard childproofing techniques should be applied. The premises must also be secured to prevent unauthorized people from entering. Check out http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/family/07/23/par.picking.child.care/index.html for more information.
Valid License
Finally, a center's license must be presently valid in the state where it is used. A valid license makes no assurance of the quality of a daycare center, but any daycare center that doesn't have one can never be good enough.
Good Reputation
A good day care center has an atmosphere of warmth and care, and is known for having a nurturing environment. Ask your prospect for names and contact information of a few clients, and call these people. Let them tell you about their experiences with the center. As an alternative, you can stop by the center some time and ask a few parents there. Also pay attention to your own first impression. It's very important in a scenario such as this. Another great option for quality child care is summer camp.
Clear and Consistent Ground Rules
A daycare center must be flexible, but it should also have established policies governing everything, for pick up time to emergency handling procedures. And all parents must be given written copies of these regulations. This is a good way to know if a center is serious about taking responsibility for the kids. Learn more about great preschools here.
Good Curriculum
A daycare center should have well-structured schedules that balance physical activity, rest time (including reading sessions for each student and as a group), programs, personal activities, meals and snacks, and break time. A daycare center's schedule should be structured in such a way that there is a healthy balance of everything, including physical activities, rest, snacks and meals, reading sessions, programs, individual activities, and break time. A daycare center's schedule should be set in a way that maintains a balance of various activities like play time, snacks and meals, reading sessions, personal time, etc. If TV and videos are part of the curriculum, the shows must be age-appropriate and educational. An outdoor area is, of course, important. Kids must be given the chance to go outdoors and play because this is healthy for their physical, social, and mental development.
Qualified and Caring Staff
Daycare employees should have finished at least two years of college, have early childhood development credentials, and be trained doing CPR and other relevant emergency procedures. They should be responsible, prepared, and enthusiastic about caring for children. You may also want to check if they're receiving good benefits from their employer. If they're happy in their jobs, they're more likely to stay. This helps in ensuring consistent care for your child.
Nutritious Food
If your child needs to bring his own food, know the guidelines. If only healthy food is allowed, that's a positive sign. If they don't limit consumption of candies and other sweets, they may lack genuine interest in the children's welfare. If they do serve food, know what they serve and when. Make it a point that each food group is covered. Very importantly, inform the staff about any food allergies your child may have.
Cleanliness and Safety
There is no center good enough if it is not sanitary. The staff should wash their hands from time to time, especially after changing diapers. The center must also abide by all basic rules of safety, including those that cover the use of toys and play equipment. Working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers must be available, and heaters and radiators should be protected. A first aid kit should be on hand at any time, and all standard childproofing techniques should be applied. The premises must also be secured to prevent unauthorized people from entering. Check out http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/family/07/23/par.picking.child.care/index.html for more information.
Valid License
Finally, a center's license must be presently valid in the state where it is used. A valid license makes no assurance of the quality of a daycare center, but any daycare center that doesn't have one can never be good enough.