If you’re expecting a little bundle of joy or making a return to the office after being home, you may be interested in finding a daycare that’s a perfect fit for your family. Get ahead of the process by starting your search to find a loving, educational environment that feels like a second home for your whole family.
How Can You Tell if a Daycare is Right for Your Kids?
When you start looking at different daycare options, the choices can seem overwhelming. After all, it’s an important decision! The “right” facility varies family to family, but at baseline, the best childcare will be the most affordable, yet highest quality daycare that’s within a reasonable distance from your work or home.
How Soon Should You Start Looking at Childcare Options?
It’s sooner than you think! We recommend beginning your childcare search during your second trimester. This gives you and your partner plenty of time to research different options, schedule in-person tours, and get on wait lists before your beautiful baby arrives.
Top Things to Look Out for When Browsing Daycares
This important decision deserves your full attention. When you’re looking at the Waterford and Goodrich, MI, daycares, see how they measure up to these five different factors.
5 Considerations for Daycares:
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Staff credentials and experience
- Safety precautions
- Varied curriculum
- Reviews
1. Does the Facility Offer a Warm and Safe Environment for Children?
Dropping your tiny tot off while you head into work can be difficult—but it gets easier when you feel that the daycare is a real safe space! When you tour the program, pay close attention to the interactions between staff and children (as well as between the children). If they talk to each other with kindness, respect, and understanding, it could be the loving and welcoming environment you’re looking for.
2. Does the Childcare Center Have Qualified Caregivers and Teachers?
A childcare facility is only as good as its caregivers. Exact qualifications can depend on the program, so it’s important to ask what they require during the hiring process. The teachers at The Breakie Bunch must have an associate’s degree in early childhood education, though many are working on ongoing professional development and emergency training.
3. What are the Preschool’s Established Safety Measures?
Does the facility have security cameras? How does the sign-in and sign-out process work? There are a million and one questions to ask concerning your child’s safety—don’t be afraid to ask them.
4. Does the Childcare Center Have High-Quality Curriculum?
A quality daycare curriculum is essential for a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. At The Breakie Bunch, we believe in a well-rounded, play-based curriculum that allows kids to explore, problem solve, and develop skills through a mix of self-initiated play and teacher-facilitated activities. If that doesn’t sound right for your little one, don’t fret—there are plenty of alternatives.
What are Common Types of Curricula Used in Childcare Programs?
- Montessori
- Reggio Emilia
- Waldorf
- Parent Co-Operative
- HighScope
5. Does the Center Have Good References and Reviews?
When it comes to finding the perfect childcare program, word of mouth is key! Ask your family, friends, and neighbors about their experiences with the nearby daycares and glance at the online reviews left by other parents.
Now that you know what to look for, making a daycare decision and finding that Goldilocks center should feel a little easier! Get in touch with The Breakie Bunch Learning Center to schedule a tour today.