Deciding which childcare facility to enroll your little ones in is one of the first big decisions in their educational journey. But don’t let it scare you! Knowing exactly what to ask as you tour different daycare centers will help you find the perfect fit for you and your family.
When Should You Start Looking into Childcare Options?
When it comes to when you should think about enrolling in infant care or preschool, there’s no such thing as too early! Experienced parents and childhood educators recommend that you start looking for childcare options as early as your first or second trimester of pregnancy to avoid getting stuck on a waitlist.
What Questions Should You Ask When Signing Your Baby Up for Childcare?
Once you have a few daycare programs on your list, you’ll want to dive deeper into the facility’s everyday operations and qualifications. To get a good idea of whether they align with your wants, ask them these important questions.
3 Questions to Ask on Your Daycare Tour:
- What qualifications do the teachers hold?
- What is the illness policy?
- What is the teacher-to-child ratio?
1. What Qualifications Do Your Preschool Teachers Have?
You wouldn’t trust just anyone to watch your children all day. Make sure you ask what qualifications, degrees, and/or certificates the childcare requires their teachers to hold in order to work there. At The Breakie Bunch Learning Center, our daycare staff is expected to have an associate’s degree in early childhood education and attend ongoing training and professional development.
2. What Is the Daycare’s Illness Policy?
If your child does get sick on the clock, how does the childcare center handle it? Do they call you right away for pick-up? Ask about how long they expect sick children to stay at home before returning to daycare to get an idea of how much they care about preventing the spread of disease and protecting other students’ health.
3. What is the Expected Teacher-to-Student Ratio?
When it comes to infant care and preschool, the teacher-to-student ratio is imperative. The smaller the ratio, the more personalized attention and care each child receives.
If the ratio is too large, then there’s a possibility of your tiny tot going unnoticed—and we don’t want that! Studies have shown that the ideal ratio for infants is 1:3 or 1:4, 1:4 or 1:5 for toddlers, and 1:8 or 1:10 for preschoolers.
Other Questions to Consider Asking During Childcare Facility Tours:
- What is the typical day-to-day schedule?
- Do you base teaching on a specific curriculum?
- What does a secure drop-off and pick-up look like?
- How do you communicate with the parents during and outside of the workday?
- Do you have security cameras in place and turned on in each room?
- Are the outside play area and equipment secure and well-maintained?
- How do you manage allergies in the classroom?
- What is the monthly or annual tuition for your daycare program?
The best daycare centers want you, as a parent, to feel comfortable when your child is in our care, so don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you can think of. With enough research and careful consideration, you’re bound to choose the perfect childcare option for your little one to thrive.