How To Choose A Good Daycare?
Are you looking for a good daycare for your little one? Is the decision daunting and extremely time-consuming? Welcome to parenthood! Choosing a daycare for your child is a big responsibility, it requires precision and observation. Read our post and learn how to choose a daycare in a perfect way for your little angel.
Good day care means something that is fun, educational and where your little one is nurtured. Begin by looking six months before you need to send her to daycare to keep your options ready. No matter how good the center is, you are still the primary caregiver and the most consistent source of love, affection and support out there.
How To Choose A Daycare?
Here, we list some types of day care centers to help you pick the best one for your little tyke:
- Nanny: A nanny can look after your child at your place or her place.
- Nanny Sharing: A nanny under employment by 2 or more families to share expenses.
- Child Care Centre
- Family Day Care: Run by people of experienced careers and educators.
- Preschool: Preschools feature planned educational programs for children and are open between 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (1).
[ Read: Nanny Interview Questions Checklist ]
Before Choosing A Daycare:
Before finding a good daycare, ensure that you conduct some research. You can start by following some of the tips below:
- Ask around for the most reputable daycare.
- Go online and look for information on daycare and read reviews.
- Use the phone book and start calling around. Select the ones that best suit the requirement and then fix a meeting.
[ Read: Preschool Vs. Daycare ]
List The Requirements:
Here are some requirements on how to find a daycare:
- It is a good idea to make a list of qualities you are looking for in a care center such as religious discipline, experience, beliefs, and flexibility.
- Go and meet them more than once if required. You can interview the nanny and ask questions like why did they choose to work with young children?
- Whether or not they are trained in emergency first-aid.
- Toilet training.
- How would you help my child develop both mentally and physically?
Things To Keep In Mind:
The below things in mind will help you how to find a good daycare:
- Check on daycare holiday homes and alternative arrangements.
- Educational background of the teacher/teachers.
- License and Accreditation.
- Meals and snacks policy.
- As a mom, you would know the likes, dislikes and the temperament of the kid. If the baby is under one year, take extra precautions to any particular health needs and describe the same to them.
- For little older children focus is on development, interaction, learning styles and individualized attention few times a day.
- You want your child to be nurtured and molded in the way as you.
- Other things to consider are cost, location and most critical the reputation of that particular place.
- In-Home or out of home care.
[ Read: How To Choose A Preschool ]
Features Of A Good Day Care:
A good daycare should have a structured curriculum. A balance of education, physical activity, reading sessions, meals, snacks, free time, sleep time, toy time, etc. Other features include:
- Check whether they have age appropriate toys.
- Choose a place that encourages child development and stimulates imaginative and creative play.
Your Involvement:
It is important that you involve yourself and stay up-to-date about each day of your child’s day care.
- Have a meeting with the caretaker on a regular basis.
- Celebrate your child’s birthday party at the day-care and get the feel of the place.
- Join in for any special events (2).
[ Read: Daycare Vs. Stay-At-Home Parenting ]
Choose a place that is fun, hygienic, and clean and keeps your child happy and cheerful. Help your child adjust to the daycare; talk to him and give him time to settle down. If the child does not settle, then you might have to look for another option. How did you choose a daycare for your child? Did you follow any of the tips above? Tell us about it here.
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