Choosing a great daycare for your child
Choosing a great daycare for your child doesn’t have to be an intimidating task. Here are a few helpful tips.
Tour more than one location: It may seem time-consuming, but it is worth visiting a few daycares in your area. You will have something to compare with and you will have taken time to make a decision that is best for your child.
Ask questions: Your questions are important and will help you navigate what is most important for your child. Take a few minutes to write down your questions before you start touring.
Some examples of questions to consider:
What type of curriculum do they provide? (Montessori, Abeka, etc)
What are the hours of operation? What about holidays and summer?
Does the daycare request you provide diapers, wipes, snacks etc? Or do they provide?
If your child is on formula, do they require you to pre-make bottles? Do they heat bottles?
Payment options? Monthly? Weekly?
What is the teacher/student ratio?
How long have the teachers been employed at the daycare? Is there consistency in care?
What is their medication administration policy? Fever policy? Do they require a doctor's note to return?
Look for engaging activities: Are the teachers and students interacting? Are the activities age-appropriate? Do the children seem to be engaged in their learning? These are all great things to look for when you tour. If you cannot tour while school is in session, ask the person giving the tour to describe the classroom environment and curriculum.
Know what to expect: Bring your driver’s license if touring during business hours. Tours will typically start with a conversation about what you are looking for in a daycare, any concerns you may have, and if your child has ever been in childcare before. During the tour, you will be given an overview of the teachers in your child’s class, health and safety standards, classroom ratios, enrichment programs, and curriculum. Tours usually last 30 minutes.
Curriculum: Not all early-learning curriculum looks the same. Do your research on which pedagogy is the right fit for your child. On the tour, ask what approach the daycare takes when teaching children. A few examples are play-based learning, scripted curriculum, or rote instruction.
Kristina Stone
Owner and Director of the Goddard School Frisco