Signs of a good daycare center
Your child is the most precious thing in the world to you and you want to be absolutely sure that if you entrust his care to someone else they feel the same way about him – but finding good childcare can be a struggle.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredits the best daycare centers and preschools and they have to meet a set of standards to achieve this. Many states – but not all – also license daycare centers, which should give you some idea as to whether they meet your state’s laws when it comes to health and safety. Finding out if your prospective daycare center is licensed and/or accredited is a good start but it isn’t the be-all and end-all. There’s a whole range of factors you need to consider – here’s gurgle’s list…
Reputation
Getting a recommendation from family, friends or other moms is one of the best ways to work up a shortlist of prospective daycare centers. Don’t be shy about approaching other moms in the playground and asking them if their babies go to daycare and what they think about their chosen center. Ideally you’re looking for a glowing report that emphasizes a caring environment and staff, friendly atmosphere and established rules and routines.
Flexibility and convenience
Your shortlist needs to include centers near your home or place of work. They need to demonstrate flexibility towards working with parents when it comes to drop-off and pick-up and solving any issues that arise. They also need to have a tough but realistic sick-child policy that ensures your child isn’t exposed to illness and infection because ill children are allowed to attend.
Qualified staff
At least some of the staff should have qualifications and experience in early childhood education. They should be warm and caring and be prepared to follow through your philosophy on discipline and routines; they should also have training in CPR and first aid. Ask about staff turnover too – you’ll want to be reassured that if your child builds a relationship with her caregiver it isn’t going to be cut short because she leaves.
Staff ratios are also important – it can vary according to the age of the children and the size of a group. Smaller groups will likely encourage better interaction and ensure your child gets some one-on-one time with her teacher. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines stipulate:
- 0-12 months One caregiver for every three children; maximum group size of six babies.
- 13-30 months One caregiver for every four children; maximum group size of eight.
- 31-35 months One caregiver for every five children; maximum group size of 10.
- 3 year olds One caregiver for every seven children; maximum group size 14.
- 4-5 year olds One caregiver for every eight children; maximum group size 16.
Daycare centers aren’t obliged to follow these guidelines but you can be reassured it’s a good center if groups are small.
A creative curriculum
Young children need to be amused and entertained, and it’s the main way in which they learn. A good center will provide a monthly timetable of what your child is learning and when, and his classroom should be stocked with age-appropriate learning toys, paper, crayons, paints, pegboards, puzzles, story books. His daily activities should be structured, with some quiet time built in, and he should also get to spend some one-on-one time with his caregiver.
Most daycare centers should allow you to drop in at any time unannounced to check out their facilities (in fact, if they specify you can only come at a certain time this could be a red flag). When you stop by you want to see children engaged in activities and not wandering around aimlessly.
Safety
The center you choose should have a formal sign-in/out procedure. It should be clean and well-maintained. Play equipment should be the same, especially large outdoor play items, and outside play areas need to be adequately fenced and in full view at all times
Plenty of well-lit space is a good sign, along with a bathroom, a refrigerator to store packed lunches, and a sink for frequent handwashing in each classroom. The baby room needs to have the usual
babyproofing measures you’d use at home, such as socket covers, refrigerator/toilet locks, and cupboard latches. Look also for first aid kits, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a sprinkler system, and a clearly posted emergency escape procedure.
The information on this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 25/08/2008
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