How to Choose Quality Childcare

Keywords: childcare, preschool, education

Each year more and more families have one or both primary caregivers working outside of the home. This necessitates finding a childcare provider for your little one. When it comes to selecting a daycare option for your treasured babe, a lot of anxiety can come into play. There are many factors that you must consider from cost, to care setting, curriculum to caregiver. This can seem overwhelming, but the childcare pros at Imagine Early Education and Childcare are here to make it a little easier for you with our recommendations for choosing quality childcare for your amazing kiddo.

When you are looking at your options for childcare or preschool you want to ensure that you are placing your child in an environment that is going to promote their healthy development and growth, a place where they can truly thrive. Babies and toddlers need a consistent routine that gives them both time for stimulation as well as downtime to rest, and preschool-aged children can benefit from a more education-based approach that begins to prepare them for formal schooling.

A great childcare situation will provide young children with caregivers who talk and play with them as well as give them the love and affection they need to develop healthy emotional intelligence. Studies have proven time and again that how children are treated by their adult caregivers greatly impacts their future social and emotional development and successes.

There are many great childcare options from sitters that will come to your home to private, in-home daycares. You can also choose a larger daycare center. No matter which direction you choose for your little one, you will certainly want to visit first to observe and talk to the caregivers. Be sure to take into account the following factors before signing on the dotted line. These include:

STAFF TRAINING

When researching and interacting with potential caregivers for your child, it is important that whoever is working with your child have a background in child development and/or early childhood education if you are seeking a pre-school-like setting. This educational background and training not only provide caregivers with the knowledge to meet children where they are developmentally but also allows them to engage in identifying kids in need of early intervention if developmental delays are present. Caregivers that are always engaging in lifelong learning to better inform themselves are going to inspire that attitude in your child as well as be up-to-date on the latest trends in child development and learning theory.

PHYSICAL LAYOUT

When you observe at an in-home daycare or childcare center, the rooms should be baby-proofed with items like outlet covers and taller shelves anchored to the walls, There should be clear walkways and the area should be sanitized and clean. Chemicals and medications should be locked up, and children should have labeled areas for their personal items.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Any adult who is going to be in charge of caring for your child should have certification in infant and child first aid and CPR. Additionally, a safety plan should be given to you detailing what steps will be taken in the event of an emergency. It is also vital to understand how the staff will identify those who may be picking up your child to ensure that any special custody situations or restraining orders are honored.

RATIO AND LICENSING

Finally, it is important to make sure that a daycare setting has the correct ratio of adults to children. There are state guidelines for this, and to maintain licensure, any commercial or in-home daycare will have to maintain records detailing that these ratios are not exceeded.

As you can see, there is a lot that can go into choosing quality childcare for your little one. We invite you to explore all the great daycare and preschool education options available at Imagine Early Education and Childcare. We would love to meet you and your child today!