There are a lot of challenges to being a parent, and one of the biggest has to be finding just the right child care.
Whether you’re searching for full-time daycare or just occasional child care for date nights, making sure you’ve chosen the right childcare provider isn’t easy.
If you’re wondering how to choose a daycare or other child care option for your little ones, start with these 5 tips!
1. References
If you want the raw truth about a childcare provider, then start by asking around for some references.
Do an Australian child care centre comparison with Toddle, or use your favourite local comparison site, and find out everything you need to know but do not necessarily want to ask in person.
Getting other people’s opinions on a daycare or child care provider is the single-hand most valuable step you can take to make sure the daycare is a good fit for your child. So, don’t be shy about asking for other people’s thoughts!
2. Cleanliness
A clean environment is always a better environment for a child, and that’s been especially true over the last year. All childcare facilities should be cleaned regularly throughout the day, not only to avoid the spread of germs and bacteria, but also to prevent accidents and injuries.
Have a good look around the facility and ask about how often it gets cleaned and tidied – a daycare of safe and healthy children is one you should definitely consider choosing!
3. Intuition
One of the most important things to remember when choosing a childcare provider is to trust your parental instincts.
If an establishment does not feel right to you, don’t worry about walking away, even if you’re not sure why you feel uncomfortable.
And make sure to see how your child reacts as well; making sure they’re comfortable in their daycare is just as important!
4. Staff Turnover
Try to learn a bit about staff turnover when selecting your childcare provider. It will give you a clear indication of the working conditions as well as the general atmosphere that is created for your child.
Pay special attention to the ratio of staff to children – you do not want a daycare provider that is looking after your child along with 15 others at the same time.
5. Structure
A structured environment is so important for a child; having a familiar routine helps to give them a feeling of stability. Children who grow up in stable and structured environments are far more likely to succeed and achieve goals.
Check out the day-to-day routine of the daycare you’re looking to place your child in, and make sure that they care about your child having structure as much as you do.
Find out about curriculum or learning plans, and make sure the daily schedule includes academic activities, physical exercise, and free creative play time.
It can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to choose a daycare for your child, but making sure the environment has a solid routine, plenty of staff, and good references from parents is a great place to start.
In the end, though, make sure to trust your own opinions and those of your child. If you both feel comfortable with the daycare, then your child is more likely to thrive!
It made sense to me when you suggested choosing a daycare that can make you feel comfortable and won’t make you walk away. My husband and I are planning to find a daycare facility where we can enroll our three-year-old son this summer. Since we both want to have peace of mind when it comes to our son’s welfare while we are away during the day, we will do your tips.
I could not agree more when you said that to avoid the spread of germs and bacteria, childcare facilities should be cleaned regularly. My husband and I are thinking of finding a daycare facility where we can enroll our three-year-old son. It is important for us to ensure that our child’s allergy will not get triggered due to an untidy daycare facility.
I could not agree more when you said that it is always better to choose a daycare center that has a better and clean environment to avoid the spread of germs and bacteria. My sister will surely find this tip helpful since she is planning to find one for her three-year-old daughter. She has to consider that her child is prone to allergies, so your tips will surely make sense to her.
It got my attention when you said that you must consider the ratio of staff to children when looking for a daycare provider. My husband and I are interested in finding a learning center for our toddler son. We want him to have a good grasp of colors and shapes as early as two years old. We will consider your tips to ensure that our son will get the care and attention that he deserves while we are away.
I totally agree that you must consider choosing a daycare that can keep the children safe and healthy, so you must ask about how often a facility gets cleaned. My husband and I want to find an education center where we can enroll our 4-year old son next week. He is prone to allergies, so your tips are helpful.
It made sense to me when you suggested paying attention to the ratio of staff to children to determine the general atmosphere where your child is going to be cared for. This is a helpful tip for me because I am planning to find a childcare center for my 4-year old son so I can start working again. I want to have peace of mind while at work, so I will do your tips.
Hello! I found it interesting when you said that relying on our internal senses isn’t really that nonsensical when it comes to choosing a daycare facility. My niece’s son is entering kindergarten next month but she’s still not sure where to send him. I’ll certainly forward this article to her so she’ll pick the right institution later.
It made sense to me when you said that it is always better to choose a clean environment for your child. As you said, you must choose a childcare facility that is cleaned regularly throughout the day. This is something that I will consider because I am planning to find a childcare center for my 3-year old son. He is prone to allergies, so I want to have peace of mind that my child is going to be safe at all times.
I like how you mentioned that you should inquire about their structure and routine. I need to find a daycare for my son. Routine is definitely something that is important to his daily life.