Choosing the right daycare center for your child should be a carefully thought out and researched process. You probably have a good idea of what you want — a place that is safe, happy, and loving, where children can learn and have fun. At the same time, it must also meet your needs and should be convenient, affordable, and offer care when you need it. Finding child care that has the quality and convenience you want —at a reasonable cost—can be a real challenge. It is rare to find the perfect situation but it is possible to find a very good situation that will meet your needs.
Make a list of what's important to you. Do you want a center close to home? Close to work? What are the hours you need? Is there a curriculum? What can you afford?
Research all your possibilities. Ask your friends, family, doctors, and referral agencies for centers they would recommend. Look on the Internet and check out reviews. Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Has the center received any local award or recognition? When doing your research, be sure to think about your list of important topics.
Call and ask some questions once you have narrowed your choices. You should ask about their policies, hours, fees, activities, and philosophies on teaching children. Are they flexible to help you with your schedule? Will they accommodate your special requests? What is their teacher to child ratio? Do they change activities frequently? Do they have experienced teachers?
Visit and interview the centers you like best. Is the center a warm, clean, safe environment in which you think your child would learn and have fun? Be sure to pay close attention to the actual teacher to child ratio during your visit to verify what they told you it was over the phone.
Look for a caring and qualified staff. They should be enthusiastic and interact with the children in a positive way that shows they really care. The staff should have a philosophy about discipline, feeding and sleeping that follows your philosophy. The employees should be educated with at least two years of college, a background in child development, along with first aid training and CPR.
Does it appear to be a safe, clean facility? A good center has clean floors, walls, bathrooms and changing stations that are well lit and ventilated. There should be established policies on how to keep things clean and how to keep toys and equipment in safe working order. The center should have an emergency plan, with first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and childproof storage areas. All general child safety issues should be followed.
The center should have established rules and policies. A good center will be flexible but it should have enforced rules on sick children and will require immunizations to prevent the spread of illness. The center should have an open door policy that allows you to stop for an unannounced visit.
Is there a complete schedule of activities? Good centers will have a schedule that allows for play time, quiet time, individual activities, meals, snacks, and group activities. A good center teaches a wide variety of topics, while at the same time, teaching things appropriate for the age group. Look for toys that are appropriate for the age of your child. The toys should be fun, while letting the child be imaginative and creative.
The center should be licensed by your local city services department.
Precious Treasures is open 24 hours/7 days a week with two locations offering parents maximum flexibility for the most challenging schedules. Check out our entire website for more information about our services.
Make a list of what's important to you. Do you want a center close to home? Close to work? What are the hours you need? Is there a curriculum? What can you afford?
Research all your possibilities. Ask your friends, family, doctors, and referral agencies for centers they would recommend. Look on the Internet and check out reviews. Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Has the center received any local award or recognition? When doing your research, be sure to think about your list of important topics.
Call and ask some questions once you have narrowed your choices. You should ask about their policies, hours, fees, activities, and philosophies on teaching children. Are they flexible to help you with your schedule? Will they accommodate your special requests? What is their teacher to child ratio? Do they change activities frequently? Do they have experienced teachers?
Visit and interview the centers you like best. Is the center a warm, clean, safe environment in which you think your child would learn and have fun? Be sure to pay close attention to the actual teacher to child ratio during your visit to verify what they told you it was over the phone.
Look for a caring and qualified staff. They should be enthusiastic and interact with the children in a positive way that shows they really care. The staff should have a philosophy about discipline, feeding and sleeping that follows your philosophy. The employees should be educated with at least two years of college, a background in child development, along with first aid training and CPR.
Does it appear to be a safe, clean facility? A good center has clean floors, walls, bathrooms and changing stations that are well lit and ventilated. There should be established policies on how to keep things clean and how to keep toys and equipment in safe working order. The center should have an emergency plan, with first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and childproof storage areas. All general child safety issues should be followed.
The center should have established rules and policies. A good center will be flexible but it should have enforced rules on sick children and will require immunizations to prevent the spread of illness. The center should have an open door policy that allows you to stop for an unannounced visit.
Is there a complete schedule of activities? Good centers will have a schedule that allows for play time, quiet time, individual activities, meals, snacks, and group activities. A good center teaches a wide variety of topics, while at the same time, teaching things appropriate for the age group. Look for toys that are appropriate for the age of your child. The toys should be fun, while letting the child be imaginative and creative.
The center should be licensed by your local city services department.
Precious Treasures is open 24 hours/7 days a week with two locations offering parents maximum flexibility for the most challenging schedules. Check out our entire website for more information about our services.
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