As a parent, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing high-quality child care that makes you comfortable and where your child can learn and thrive.
With so many options available, from size to curriculum style, as well as other considerations (“Will the hours of operation accommodate my work schedule?” or “Are snacks and meals provided, or do I need to pack food?”), it can be challenging for parents as they start the search.
No matter what options, enrichments, and add-ons you need to consider, you want high quality in the care and early education your child will receive. Here are a few factors to evaluate when choosing care for your child.
Health and Safety
Nothing is more fundamental than knowing your child is spending the day in a safe and healthy environment. Here are some things you can observe when you visit a center:
Connections with Children
Qualified, content, caring, respectful, supportive teachers are the heartbeat of quality programs. Notice if teachers:
Curriculum
Children in early education learn by interacting with caring people, engaging materials, and thoughtfully planned classroom activities. If you want to learn more about child care curriculum, some questions you can ask a teacher or center director include:
Teacher Qualifications
A high-quality program will have strong leadership and competent, skilled teachers who meet licensing requirements. Learning about teacher qualifications can help you understand the teachers’ professional backgrounds, by asking:
Finding the best child care for your child doesn’t have to be complex and intimidating! Asking lots of questions, and even having a checklist handy as you evaluate options, will help you identify an environment where your child will feel safe, happy, and in the best of care.
Good luck!
