How to Choose a Childcare Facility: The Complete Guide for Parents
A recent study found that 4.8 million children across the United States go to a childcare facility. With so many parents working, finding good childcare is more important than ever.
If you’re a parent trying to find a childcare program for your child, you might be wondering how to start the process. There are many childcare facilities out there, but how do you find the one that’s the best fit for your family?
Keep reading for an overview of how to choose a childcare facility that you and your child love.
Create a List of Options
Referrals from friends, family, or coworkers are a great place to start. If you don’t have anyone to ask for childcare facility options, an online search is another way to find reputable suggestions.
When you’re creating a list of possibilities, think about what aspects are important to you. Is the childcare facility close to you? Is it open during the hours you’ll need childcare? Does it fit your budget? These questions will help narrow down your search.
Ask the Important Questions
Once you’ve chosen a few possible childcare facilities, create a list of preliminary questions to ask each place.
These might include questions about their activities for children, the teacher-child ratio, what their turnover rate is, or details about their policies (how they discipline children, what the protocol is when a child is sick, etc.).
While you can ask questions in person too, asking the important questions over the phone or by email will help you narrow down your options faster and save you time.
Visit in Person
Visiting a childcare facility in person is the best way to get a realistic idea of what it would be like for your child.
When you visit, watch how the childcare facility staff interact with the children to see if they’re compassionate and hands-on. Look to see if the space is clean and safe and whether there are lots of activities for kids that are physically and intellectually stimulating.
You can schedule your visit beforehand, but it’s also a good idea to drop by unannounced at some point too. This will help you see what a typical day is really like.
Prioritize Communication
When you’re reviewing childcare programs, highlight ones that have excellent communication.
Do you feel comfortable talking to the staff? Do they communicate well, giving you lots of information about the facility and answering your questions in detail? These are good indicators that they’ll give you detailed reports about your child’s time with them too.
Trust your gut. If you’ve talked to several of the staff members and feel that they would take good care of your child, great! If you’re not happy with your interactions with them, it might be best to look for a different option.
Choose a Childcare Facility That Cares About Your Child
When it’s time to choose a childcare facility, you want a space where your child is safe to explore and learn, led by loving and trusted adults.
At Grow With Us Learning Academy, our curriculum encourages learning through hands-on activities in a safe, nurturing environment. Find out how our unique programs can help your child.