There is no harder decision when you have children than the daycare they will attend when you are working. The
environment a child is in between infancy and five years of age can have an enormous impact on that child as he or she
grows, learns and moves forward in life. It is vital that parents choose the best possible daycare for their individual boy or
girl. However, with so many to choose from in any area, this can be more difficult than it first appears.
It should start by making a list of places you are willing to consider. There are some that are out of the running because
they are too far from home or work. Others should be added to the list based on referrals from friends, family, your
pediatrician and coworkers. Once you have this short list of possibilities, you are ready to begin the research.
Start by visiting the website for each school. Look over the programs that are listed online. View the pictures of the facility.
Take a moment to call the center and talk to someone about their services and how they help the children grow and learn.
If you like what you find online and what you hear on the phone, then you can call to set up a tour of the daycare.
Your first impressions of the school are important. If it makes you nervous for some reason you can’t quite name, it will
probably make your child nervous. Walking away from a center over a poor first impression is absolutely acceptable. You
will be trusting your most precious and loved child to this group of people and you need to feel confident about that
decision.
If you are comfortable with the center upon walking in, then you are ready to proceed with a tour. Talk openly with the
person who is showing you around. Ask questions about the center, what qualifications are required to work there and
what kinds of activities the kids will do. Here are five issues in particular that you want to get more information about.
1. Education – School is all about learning and it can start with toddlers. Even babies who are crawling can start to
recognize shapes and colors. Talk to the teachers in the center and the administrators about what kind of educational
philosophies the center uses. Are they hands-on? Do they believe in learning through play or do they focus heavily on
worksheets for the older boys and girls. There are no right or wrong answers here, it’s all about how comfortable you feel
with it and if you think the system will work with your child.
2. Accreditation – Find out what type of accreditation the school has. What are the quality standards? How are the
standards measured? Outside accreditation means that the school is held responsible to an outside agency. Look for
schools that are always striving to improve their school and even their methods so they can provide a more positive
experience for the children.
3. Teachers – There’s more to daycare than changing a diaper and providing lunch. Look for daycares that will stimulate
your child’s eagerness to learn. Find out if the providers for the older children have any teacher training. Look for schools
that encourage professional development for all of their direct-care staff members.
4. Environment – The school should be safe. The toys should be age-appropriate. It should be fun, most of all. Look for a
daycare center where the children seem happy or content. Avoid those where many of the children are crying. While the
occasional unhappy babe can’t be avoided, it should be the exception and not the norm. Look for teachers who are
interacting with the children. Above all else, look for a school that keeps a clear schedule. A presence of a good schedule in
your child’s life during the day will make the evenings less stressful for you.
5. Policies – Know what the center’s rules are regarding behavior problems, illness, toilet-training accidents and other
issues that may arise. Find out how the school will communicate with you if there should be an accident. Confirm that all
staff members are CPR and first-aid certified. Finally, verify that the center is licensed and insured.
The care received by your child now will set the stage for the rest of their lives. Choose a quality daycare establishment
that will encourage your daughter and help her learn. Look for a center that will help your son grow in addition to keeping
the children safe and well-fed. Look for a facility that will also keep your children happy and enjoying learning.
Submitted on behalf of Primrose Schools: day care providing the best in early childhood education Emily Patterson (@epatt1062)