You can't always watch your child. You may need to work at an outside job, or you may just need some time to take care of the work of running your household. Or you may just want your child to have an opportunity to socialize with other adults and children. Whatever the reason, when it comes to picking out a childcare facility, you want to take your time.
Thing #1: Find Out About Childcare Philosophies
The truth is, there is not just one right way to raise a child. Many people have different childcare philosophies, which is perfectly all right. When you are looking for a childcare facility though, you want to find one that fits with your childcare philosophies.
When you interview childcare faculties, ask them about their childcare philosophies. You can ask about their general philosophies, or you can ask for examples about how they handle naptime or what they do when a child hits another child.
Oftentimes, asking about how they would react to a situation will provide more insight into how childcare philosophies are implemented than just discussing what the guiding philosophies of the center are.
You want to send your child to a center that aligns with your parenting ideas and that will support the way you are raising your child.
Thing #2: Ask About Their Commitment to Your Child
It is common for childcare facilities to ask you to sign a contract stating that you will bring your child to the center for a set amount of time. For example, you may sign up for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday all-day care for six months or a year. Daycares ask for these commitments so that they can plan ahead and keep their classrooms balanced.
You should also ask the childcare facility to make a commitment to your child. Ask the childcare facility how long they have been in operation. The longer they have been around, the more likely they are to stick around.
Then, ask them how long the staff lead childcare provider in each room has been there. Ask about the average length of employment for employees. You want to place your child in a setting where the childcare providers stick around so that your child can bond with their caregivers.
Thing #3: Inquire About Security
When you drop your child off, you want to make sure they are secure. As you visit childcare facilities, pay attention to how they handle security.
Can anyone come in and out of the building, or do you need a code to enter? How do they keep track of when a child is dropped off and picked up? How do they verify the identity of the person picking up your child?
You want to send your child to a childcare facility that takes keeping your child safety seriously and that will not just hand your child off to anyone.
When looking for a childcare facility for your child, find a childcare center with philosophies that match with your own. Make sure the childcare facility can provide your child with continued adult support and will keep your child safe.