We at Parkland Children’s Academy take childcare very seriously, that is why we have decided to break things down and give you a heads up on how to spot a good daycare center.
Facilities:
It is very important that the daycare center you choose provides a healthy, clean, safe environment for your child. It is also essential that all your child’s needs are met and that the facilities include spacious outdoor play areas. Look for smoke detectors, gated entry, and other safety features that will ensure the well being of your child while they are at the center. Take a look at the eating area and bathroom facilities – you can tell a lot from the state of these two areas. Finally don’t be shy to check out the toys your child will be playing with. You don’t want your child playing on rusty swing sets and broken bicycles.
Curriculum:
Top daycare centers will have a structured daily program of activities for the children under their care. A good curriculum should include physical activity, quiet time, group activities, individual activities, mealtime and free play. If there is access to television it should be heavily limited and monitored. The content shown should be age-appropriate and educational. A good curriculum will not only entertain your child (keeping them happy through the day) but also stimulate your child’s development. A varied range of age appropriate toys and activities is also an indication of a good daycare center.
Staff:
A sign of a good daycare center is easily gauged through the staff working there. Enquire about the qualifications of the people who will be looking after your child. Having staff with an education in early childhood development and CPR & pediatric first aid training are great indications of the caliber of the daycare center. Spend some time watching how the staff interact with the kids they are caring for. Staff should display healthy amounts of responsibility and enthusiasm with the kids. Chat with the caregivers to find out their views on discipline, eating, and activity levels of children. While chatting to them, note their interest in your child – a good caregiver will want to know more about your child’s needs and health. Good daycare centers opt for smaller groups of children per caregiver in order to ensure your child will get the attention they deserve. Finally find out about staff turn over – a high turnover is generally a sign of unhappy staff.
Reputation and credentials:
Another great way to spot a good daycare center is by talking to people who actually send their own kids there. Consider doing a reference search and talking to people who know the center. Drop by when it is pick up time and chat with the people collecting their kids. If people who seem to be similar to you are happy with the daycare center, chances are you will be too. Also check out the daycare center’s credentials – although a license isn’t the be all and end all of a good daycare center having one can go a long way.