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Tips for Finding That Perfect Daycare, Part 2

Tips for Finding That Perfect Daycare, Part 2

Guest post by Karen Young Chester.

Yesterday, I walked you through the steps in finding that perfect childcare facility. In today’s follow up, I’ve included a few things to consider when evaluating your daycare.

Think About Your Priorities

Before you actually approach any daycares, it’s a good idea to list out what’s important to you and your child.  Some top priorities for parents include:

  • Location – is it important to have care near your home or work?
  • Facility size – would your child prefer the excitement of a large group or the quieter surroundings of a family daycare?
  • Flexibility – do you need flexible hours or days to accommodate the needs of your work?
  • Cost – is this affordable for your budget?

Questions to Ask

Once you have your priorities set, it’s time to start asking some questions.  A few simple questions by phone can be followed by one or more visits to the daycare centre.  A clincher for many parents is to bring their child for a visit and see how comfortable their little one feels in the environment and with the caregiver.  When visiting, keep questions such as the following in mind:

  • Do they have good rules and procedures in place e.g. concerning illness or emergencies
  • Do they have appropriate activities and equipment to stimulate your child?
  • Are the staff qualified?  Are they caring? Is there a low teacher to child ratio?
  • Is the environment clean, pleasant, and safe?
  • What are the costs and are there any additional fees?
  • Is the food nutritious and appetizing?
  • Is their approach to teaching and guiding children similar to yours?

This final point is an important one.  “It’s important to find the right fit,” says Sue McInnis from Childcare Resource Referral Service in Langley, “You need a center whose philosophy merges with your philosophy in terms of discipline and life.”

References

Finally, here are a list of resources to help you in your search for that perfect daycare.

Karen Young Chester is the owner of The Shorty List, the Metro Vancouver website that gives parents the scoop on daycares, preschools, and elementary schools.

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