3 Important Trips For Choosing A Daycare For Your Child

As an adult, you have a lot of responsibilities, including work, that you need to take care of. When you have children, you need someone to take care of them when you attend to responsibilities where your children can't be present. Sending your child to daycare is a great way to ensure that your child enjoys quality care when they are not with you. When it comes to choosing a daycare for your child, there are a few things you will want to look for.  

Trained Staff 

First, you will want to find out about the daycare center's staff and what type of training they have. Most daycare staff members refer to themselves as teachers. The rooms in the daycare will be organized by age to make it easier to attend to the children's needs. Each room usually has a headteacher who is in charge of the overall activities, the flow of the room, and teacher's assistants.  

You will want to look for a center where the headteachers have either an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education. This will give them the training they need to work successfully with your children.  

You want the other staff members to receive regular training in how to work with children. Most certified childcare centers staff members have to obtain a certain number of education hours each year to meet state requirements.  

You want a center where the staff are well trained and understand early childhood development. That will help ensure they interact appropriately with your child.  

Maintained Ratios 

Second, you will want to ensure that the facility follows the ratio rules in your state. Most states have rules for the number of children to staff. There should be based on age. Ratios are smaller for younger children, such as babies, that require more one-on-one attention and higher for older pre-school-age children, who need supervision but not the same level of one-on-one attention that babies require.  

Find out what the ratios are for your state, ask any daycare center what ratios they maintain, and be sure that aligns with state requirements and what you see happening when you visit and tour the facilities.  

Engaging Curriculum 

Third, your child will be spending a lot of time at the daycare. You want to look for a daycare that engages your child in meaningful play and activities throughout the day that helps with your child's development. When interviewing childcare centers, you will want to ask about what type of curriculum they use and how they plan for active and quiet activities throughout the day. You want your child to grow during their time at the daycare. 

When looking for a daycare for your child, look for one with staff trained in early childhood education, with proper teacher-to-child ratios, and with engaging curriculum and activities. 


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