We all have heard the horror stories from daycares. You don't want your
children to become victims. You can take measures to ensure, to the best of
your ability, that this doesn't happen.
Below are some issues you'll want to deliberate on when
selecting a daycare:
* Will you hire someone to come in and watch your children,
or will you take your kids to a daycare? Regardless, you'll need to make sure
that the daycare provider is a U.S. citizen, or that the daycare has legal
papers to work in the U.S.
* Is it important to you to have your child around a lot of
other children or just a few?
* If taking your children to a daycare center, do you want
the location to be near where you live or where you work?
* Make a list of your preferences.
* Ask neighbors, friends and family members if they know of
a good daycare.
* Once you have decided where you want your daycare located
(near home or work), decide on three providers to research. Prioritize your
list from one to three based on the limited information you have about the
providers.
If considering an
in-home daycare:
* Check the ages of the children in the daycare. It is
typically a more conducive environment for your child if there are other
children your own child's age.
* How old is the daycare? Sometimes it works out better for
you if the daycare is around your own age. You may have more in common and have
a better rapport with someone who is closer to your own age.
Talk to the daycare
provider and obtain the following information:
* At least three references of parents who have used the
daycare for over a year.
* Tour the daycare. Is there a play area outside with play
equipment? Is there also a designated play area inside? Is there a separate
area for the babies as opposed to the older children? Several baby beds? Is
there a separate quiet nap area for the older children? Mats for napping?
* Find out if you can you drop by unannounced at anytime. If
not, ditch the daycare. If so, visit several times unannounced at different
periods over several weeks' time - e.g., during after snack time, during lunch,
during naptime. Make sure one of your visits is when parents are dropping off
their children, so you can talk to the parents. Ask them why they use the
center and how satisfied they are with the care provided.
* Does your child have any special needs? If so, make sure
the provider is able to accommodate them.
* Ask about learning activities for your child's age. Request
the weekly agenda of activities and menu for meals. Make sure you visit during
one of these events and meals.
* Is the daycare licensed? If the state in which you live
requires licensing, then do your homework and check with the state to see if
the daycare is licensed. Also, ask if there are any noted problems with the
daycare.
* Is the provider insured? You'll want to ask for a copy of
their insurance of certificate, and call their insurance provider to make sure
it is currently in force.
* Also, do a search on the Internet for any positive or
negative information on the daycare and its director. It is possible you may
find something.
You can't cover all the bases. You can, however, do your due
diligence to find the most qualified daycare possible for your child. Once
you've done your part, decide on the daycare that meets most, if not all, of
your expectations.
It doesn't end there. Remember to drop in unannounced
occasionally throughout the timeframe your child is being cared for in the
daycare. If you find consistent care, this will ensure your confidence that the
daycare you chose is the right one. Childcare chapel hill NC to see what daycare website.
