How to choose a good daycare?
With so many choices in daycare out there, how do you know if you are making the right decision?
Discover how to choose the daycare facility that is right for your child and your family.
There are several factors to consider when looking for a daycare for your child. Aside from the centre taking care of your child's physical needs, there is also his or her emotional needs and cognitive needs. It is very confusing to figure out which daycare is best when they all offer such different things. We will simplify it for you by taking you through the process step by step.
Whether you are considering home based childcare or centre based childcare, there are similar policies and procedures that you should be aware of.
Always meet the childcare provider and visit the location.
First impressions are often very accurate. Whether you visit someone's home, a small or large centre, you can trust your first impressions. It is imperative that you visit each facility that you are considering to place your child. Examine it closely. Look for such things as:
- Cleanliness - If a place is cleaned properly and often enough, it should smell clean and it should look clean. Some daycare centres and homes that I have seen are filthy. I wouldn't want my child spending the day in a place that has sticky crud stuck in the corners and smudges on the tables where my child is supposed to eat.
- Nutrition - not only should the centre or home be clean, the food provided should be nutritious and be in accordance with Canada's Food Guide. Fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and milk products, lean and healthy protein, whole grain in the proper portions are a must. You child needs healthy food to learn and grow.
- The Provider - does she seem like a happy person who loves her job? Does she have a positive attitude toward children and their messy, loud and cute ways? You want your child to be surrounded by positive, affectionate role models. Your child will need comforting throughout the day and you want to be sure he is getting it. He also learns positive social skills from happy people.
- Toys and Equipment - It is important that your child be exposed to different activities throughout the day. It can be a very long day for your child if there is limited activities or if they have to spend too much time in front of the tv. You can tell right away if there are crafts, construction toys, books and other important learning tools available to the children. Make sure the provider has age appropriate toys and activities - it can be very frustrating to children if they are not engaged in activities that do not provide proper stimulation.
- Safety - has the area been cleared of any dangerous objects or do the children have access to anything that may cause bodily harm? Check for covered electrical outlets, gated areas and places where children can climb.
Fewer children means better care. Right? Not Always.
Sometimes when you go to a childcare centre and see 15 toddlers in a room, it can be a little worrisome. You wonder how your child could get the best care. So you consider the home care provider who only has 8 children. Well looks can be deceiving.
The daycare centre is legally responsible to have one teacher for every 5 toddlers whereas there are loopholes in the laws for home care providers. A home care provider can look after 5 children in addition to their own - so if they have three children and they take in 5 toddlers then one adult is responsible for 8 toddlers in total. That ratio is way too low. You want to ensure that where you place your child has a high number of teachers to the number of children. The legal numbers are:
- Infants - 1 teacher to 3 infants
- Toddlers - 1 teacher to 5 toddlers
- Preschoolers - 1 teacher to 8 preschoolers
You also want to look at the qualifications of the provider. Does she have ECE experience? Someone who is trained will have the ability to take care of your child's needs and help them learn to toilet train and get them through other milestones. Childcare centres always have trained ECE on staff.
Benefits of a childcare centre vs home care
Having someone else look after your child is always a difficult choice to make. But nonetheless, it has to be done. To make the right choice you have to consider many factors. Everything including your schedule, the daycare provider's location, your child's temperament, and costs will influence your decision.
But as you are considering where to place your child think about these benefits of a childcare centre. You will enjoy the benefits of your child's improved social skills. Because your child interacts with other children his own age, he begins to learn how to play and socilaise with other children in a cooperative manner. Having your child interact with more than one adult each day improves their manners and social skills involving adults.
In a childcare centre the teachers responsibility is to provide stimulating activities for your child all day. They do not make phone calls, cook the meals, supervise renovations, and run downstairs to do the laundry or other household chores. This means that at a centre your child gets full time care and age appropriate activities designed just for your child. This can't happen in home care simply because the person providing the care has a household to run as well as look after your child.
Contact Us for more information on choosing the right daycare or to take a tour of our centre. We would be happy to show you around and to explain the benefits placing your child in our care.
