Choosing a child care center for your children is a real big decision. There are a lot of options out there to choose from.
- Here is a list of some things to consider when looking for a child care provider for your children:
- Look for someone who wants to be a provider: Ask why they became a child care provider and see how the provider seems to feel about this work — is it out of a commitment to children or merely a sense of obligation to the parents?
- Take a tour their facility: Does the child care provider have a place of business or are they working out of their house? You may save some money by opting to go with a child care provider who works out of their home or apartment but you need to ensure that their living space is “child proofed” and clean. Spending that little extra money on a child care facility may be worth your peace of mind.
- Is the facility secure: What security measures does the facility take to ensure the safety of your children? Do their doors have a swipe card or PIN number to grant access? Be sure to ask what the child care provider does to ensure the safety and well being of your children. Once again, spending that little extra money on a legit child care facility may be worth it in the long run for your children’s sake and for your peace of mind.
- Look for someone who plans activities for the children: Ask the child care provider to describe a day caring for children and see if their approach has any prior planning.
- Does the child care provider have help? You want to make sure that the provider has an ample staff that can care for all the children. By having a low provider to children ratio, you can pretty much guarantee that your children will get more one-on-one attention throughout the day.
- Look for a child care provider who is always learning and training: See if the child care provider has ever taken training about children or child care. Providers who have teaching degrees are great for this line of work. Also make sure that the provider has certifications in things such as CPR and other
- Look for Someone Who Follows Standard Business Practices: Does the provider ask you for a phone number where you can be reached during the day, make sure your child is immunized, and asks about your children’s schedule?
- Look for a child care provider who is licensed: Although many parents and providers don’t always think being licensed or registered by the state is a sign of quality, The Study of Children in Family Child Care and Relative Care shows that it is. Providers who are licensed are more sensitive and responsive to your child’s needs which is always a good thing.
All in all, there are many things to consider when choosing a child care provider who is best suited to care for your children. By taking all this into consideration, you should be able to find the perfect child care for your children that is warm and inviting to give them a home away from home.