The process of selecting a daycare center for your child is one that should be carefully researched and thought out. After all, the early years are a crucial time of a child’s brain development, and you want to send your toddler to a center that will allow your child to develop his or her skills and have fun at the same time.
As you begin your search, sit down with your spouse and discuss your priorities. What factors are important to you? Do you need the daycare center to be closer to home or to your workplace? Would you want your child to be in a small class or a large class? Another good starting point to your search is asking for recommendations from both family and friends. You can also try doing an online search for centers accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children or NAEYC. A daycare center with a good reputation is a good sign!
Of course, location isn’t everything when it comes to the right daycare center for your toddler. There are numerous factors to consider, including the teacher-to-child ratio. Ideally, there should be one teacher or caregiver for every three or four infants to young toddlers, or one teacher or caregiver for every four to six older toddlers.
Also make it a point to check out a daycare center’s ground rules, including health and safety procedures and policies. With rules in place, you can breathe a little better knowing that the center takes its responsibility to you and your child seriously.
Curriculum is another factor to consider. Take a look at a center’s daily schedule and see if there is a healthy combination of physical activity, quiet time, individual and group activities, and time for meals and snacks. It is also important to find out if teachers and administrators in a daycare center have the proper education and training.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, check out your options in person. Take note of your first impression for each center. Did it have a friendly and welcoming atmosphere? If you want to get some feedback, try visiting a daycare center during pickup time and approach some of the parents.
Remember that the best daycare centers are likely to fill up quickly. If possible, begin your search at least six months before you actually need childcare.