Shopping Around for Child Care
How to Find Quality Child Care for Your Child
A little bit of observation can ensure that you are choosing the right daycare for your child.
Choosing the right daycare for your infant or toddler can be a daunting task. Your child can't tell you what goes on each day so it is up to you to make sure she is in a center that keeps her happy, safe, and healthy.
The most important aspect of shopping for child care is the pre-placement visit. This is when you will drop in on the prospective daycare centers and observe their practices. Some states require that parents make such a visit before enrolling their child. Whether it is required or not, any reputable daycare center should invite you to come in and take a look around. If possible, it is best to visit the center without an appointment. This gives you a chance to see a true representation of a typical day. When you arrive for your visit, you should ask yourself these three questions: What do I see? What do I hear? What do I smell?
What Do You See?
- Is the facility in good repair with no visible damage?
- Is the lighting adequate and in good working order?
- Are the furnishings clean, sturdy, and safe?
- Is the decor warm and inviting? Is it stimulating for a child?
- Are the children well engaged in activities?
- Are the caregivers actively involved with the children in their care?
What Do You Hear?
- How do the caregivers speak to the children? Do they use soothing and gentle voices?
- Do most of the children sound content? (Note: There will be unhappy or inconsolable children in any child care setting. However, the majority of the children should be content.)
- Are there pleasant background noises such as music, toys, or nature sounds?
- Does management personnel speak to the staff with respect?
What Do You Smell?
- When you first walk in, does the facility smell clean?
- Is the center free from mildew and musty smells?
- Do the classrooms and the restrooms smell clean?
While this is certainly not an exhaustive list of things to look for, it is a good starting point to use when visiting prospective daycares for your child.
You may also be interested in the Babysitter Checklist.
