How to Choose the Appropriate Daycare Center for Your Child
An article by Sandra Rouse Choosing a daycare center for your child is a difficult decision. As a working parent, you are concerned about the costs as well as the experience and effect it will have on your child. Now, there are two basic options for daycare. There is the daycare center run by your company, the daycare center run by a group such as a church, and the family daycare center.
The daycare center run by a company or group for that specific purpose may have a larger number of children per teacher. A family daycare center is usually run out of the home by a stay-at-home mom. There are state regulations in place as to how many children can be enrolled in a family daycare center.
Just as with larger institution type daycare centers, the family daycare center has to be licensed. Licensing requirements depend on the particular state and locality in which it is located. These requirements usually state the number of children that can be enrolled and require inspection of the premises to make sure it meets safety and health requirements. Most states require the owner of a family daycare center to know CPR and first aid in case of emergencies.
The decision to enroll your child in a daycare center should be made as early as possible. This will give the opportunity to visit prospective daycare centers and evaluate them. You want your child to have a positive experience and to be in a safe environment.
You can get references for a daycare center from friends, family members, and co-workers. You will also find ads in your local newspaper for family daycare centers and, of course, the Yellow Pages. You will also find daycare centers on the Internet. Many will have web sites listing their services and the experience of the teachers or providers in the center.
Make a list of the daycare centers in your area and try to visit each one. It may be a good idea to just drop in to make an appointment. You will be able to see what is actually taking place at the time you drop in. Notice how the children are being cared for. Observe the activities that the children are involved in. Observe the staff and their interaction with the children. You can make an appointment to have a more formal tour of the facilities. But, you will have gotten a glimpse into the actual operations of the facility during your drop-in visit. Or, the director or owner may show you around at that time.
You also need to consider how far the daycare center is from your home and your work. Most daycare centers have specific opening and closing times. If you need an earlier drop-off or later pick-up, you need to make sure you can be accommodated. You may have to pay an extra fee.
Once your child has left the daycare center environment for formal school, you may still have the need for your child to be enrolled in a daycare center until you get off work. Some daycare centers offer after-school programs such as ballet, gymnastics, and art. You may want to consider such a program. There are fees charged for these types of programs. It will give you peace of mind to know your child is in a safe environment until you can pick them up.
Before you visit the daycare centers, make a checklist of the items you feel are important. Review your list at each daycare center. When you visit, the director should make you feel comfortable and introduce you to the staff. They should encourage to look around and view the activities and the facilities.
Deciding on the right daycare center will not be overwhelming if you know what your options are.
The daycare center run by a company or group for that specific purpose may have a larger number of children per teacher. A family daycare center is usually run out of the home by a stay-at-home mom. There are state regulations in place as to how many children can be enrolled in a family daycare center.
Just as with larger institution type daycare centers, the family daycare center has to be licensed. Licensing requirements depend on the particular state and locality in which it is located. These requirements usually state the number of children that can be enrolled and require inspection of the premises to make sure it meets safety and health requirements. Most states require the owner of a family daycare center to know CPR and first aid in case of emergencies.
The decision to enroll your child in a daycare center should be made as early as possible. This will give the opportunity to visit prospective daycare centers and evaluate them. You want your child to have a positive experience and to be in a safe environment.
You can get references for a daycare center from friends, family members, and co-workers. You will also find ads in your local newspaper for family daycare centers and, of course, the Yellow Pages. You will also find daycare centers on the Internet. Many will have web sites listing their services and the experience of the teachers or providers in the center.
Make a list of the daycare centers in your area and try to visit each one. It may be a good idea to just drop in to make an appointment. You will be able to see what is actually taking place at the time you drop in. Notice how the children are being cared for. Observe the activities that the children are involved in. Observe the staff and their interaction with the children. You can make an appointment to have a more formal tour of the facilities. But, you will have gotten a glimpse into the actual operations of the facility during your drop-in visit. Or, the director or owner may show you around at that time.
You also need to consider how far the daycare center is from your home and your work. Most daycare centers have specific opening and closing times. If you need an earlier drop-off or later pick-up, you need to make sure you can be accommodated. You may have to pay an extra fee.
Once your child has left the daycare center environment for formal school, you may still have the need for your child to be enrolled in a daycare center until you get off work. Some daycare centers offer after-school programs such as ballet, gymnastics, and art. You may want to consider such a program. There are fees charged for these types of programs. It will give you peace of mind to know your child is in a safe environment until you can pick them up.
Before you visit the daycare centers, make a checklist of the items you feel are important. Review your list at each daycare center. When you visit, the director should make you feel comfortable and introduce you to the staff. They should encourage to look around and view the activities and the facilities.
Deciding on the right daycare center will not be overwhelming if you know what your options are.
