One of the most stressful situations for a parent to go through is leaving your child to be cared for by someone else. That stress is exponentially multiplied if you hardly know this person. For many parents today daycare is a necessity. More and more households are becoming a two income family to to deal with our country’s economic crisis. And if you don’t have any close family or friends who are free to watch your child(ren), daycare often becomes your most viable option.
How do you evaluate the various daycare options and make the right choice? For starters, be sure to plan a day where both you and your child can visit the facilities and observe first-hand activities for your child’s age. Bring a checklist and plan your questions. In the end, it’s the facility in which you feel most comfortable and your child seems most positive about that could end up being the right choice. Look for the following:
- STAFF–Do they treat children with respect, flexibility and patience? Are they able to meet your child’s developmental and emotional needs? Is there a sufficient number to meet the needs of all children in the classroom? Do they greet your child and discuss your child with you? Do they practice good personal hygiene? Do they possess previous experience or training in working with children?
- FACILITY–Does it feature safe indoor and outdoor areas and equipment? Does it have orderly, clean work areas? It is an airy, well-lit and attractive room with bright colors? Does it have sanitary bathrooms and diaper-changing areas?
- HEALTH AND SAFETY–Are the room temperatures comfortable? Are there rounded table corners and other furniture safety features? Are there non-toxic play materials? Is a first-aid kit visible? Are healthy snacks and/or meals featured? What is the process for dropping off and picking up your child? Is the kitchen area clean? Is hand washing practiced? Are there separate cribs for infants and separate cots/mats for others? Are cleaning materials and medicines kept safely out of reach of children?
- PROGRAM–Is there a proper child-staff ratio, and if it is a licensed facility, is it within designated guidelines? Do you observe creative play? Are there plenty of play and educational materials? Is there an organized schedule or program? Is there supervised rest time? Is there minimal, supervised TV time? Does the provider read stories?
- GENERAL–Is there a license or registration certificate on file, if applicable? Are the rules clearly explained? How is good behavior encouraged? Are other parents visiting or involved with children? Are children allowed to get dirty naturally through play? Are any children left out? Do you see laughing, caring, sharing, and generally happy children?
Finally, go with your gut. Usually, your first instinct is the one to follow.
