When people say, “they grow up so fast,” it might seem like an exaggeration. But believe us, as soon as you have a kid of your own, you’ll see how true this sentiment is! Before you know it, you’ll be sending your little one off to daycare, so it’s about time you figure out exactly what kind of facility you’re looking for.
What Makes a Children’s Daycare Good?
Let it be known that while one children’s daycare might be right for you, that doesn’t make it the perfect choice for another family. But, generally speaking, high-quality facilities provide your tiny tot with a safe environment and room to thrive emotionally, socially, and developmentally. Other factors may play a part in which daycare you enroll in, such as location or academics, but as long as the staff members are able to nurture your children’s eager young minds, it’s worth looking into.
When Should You Enroll in Daycare?
If you’re a first-time parent, it might shock you to learn just how early you should think about enrolling in daycare. Experienced guardians will know that it’s best to start your search as early as your first or second trimester of pregnancy, as the best childcare centers can have impressively long waiting lists. The exact age you should enroll your baby in daycare can range from 3 months to 2 years, depending on developmental milestones and your work schedule.
What Are the Top Qualities to Look for When Enrolling in Daycare?
Enrolling in daycare is no small task. When it comes time to tour facilities, knowing what kinds of qualities matter to you and your family is crucial. Consult this list to make sure your potential children’s daycare ticks the right boxes.
Top 7 Qualities That Make a Children’s Daycare Center Special:
- Environment
- Staff
- Communication
- Curriculum
- Safety protocols
- Costs
- Outdoor spaces
1. What is the Environment of the Children’s Daycare Like?
Where your kid experiences their first life lessons makes a huge difference in their early development. Enrolling them in a daycare with a well-planned, clutter-free layout is proven to reduce anxiety and make the transition easier.
When you’re looking around at different children’s daycare centers, search for ones with open play zones, purposeful spaces, access to natural light, and child-sized furnishings. If a childcare has adequate space and comfortable surroundings, it will positively impact your tot’s desire to learn and reduce behavior challenges.
2. What Qualifications Do the Staff Members Hold?
The best daycares to enroll in are staffed with trained professionals you can trust. For most locations, employees must pass background checks, hold active First Aid and CPR certifications, and complete whatever health and safety training is mandated by the state.
At The Breakie Bunch Learning Center, our teachers are required to hold an associate’s degree in early childhood education and are provided with ongoing training and personal development training. If you stumble upon a children’s daycare with subpar staff requirements, stay away!
3. How Does Children’s Daycare Handle Communication?
Leaving your littlest ones with someone else can be a stressful experience. That’s why the way a childcare facility communicates with parents matters.
Does the daycare you enroll in send out daily check-ins or weekly reports? Do they communicate real-time updates via app, email, or text? These are the kinds of questions you should be asking on your initial tours.
4. What Type of Curriculum Does the Children’s Daycare Offer?
With countless childcare curricula out there, choosing the right one for your kiddo can feel daunting. Before you even look into the costs and qualifications of facilities, make sure you understand what kind of learning approach would be best for your child.
Popular Childcare Curricula:
- Play-based learning: facilitates skill development in natural environments, believing that children learn best from intentional, interactive play
- The Creative Curriculum: balances play and academics, focusing on developmental goals across 10 specific areas of interest
- Montessori: focuses on self-led learning, hands-on activities, and independence
- Reggio Emilia: works as a project-based curriculum where learning is driven by the individual child’s interests
- Waldorf: prioritizes creativity, nature, and imagination over traditional academics
5. What Safety Protocols Does the Faculty Use?
When you drop your precious babies off for the day, you want to be able to trust that they’ll be safe. That’s why we recommend finding a daycare with controlled entry protocols, authorized pick-ups, security cameras, allergy policies, and robust evacuation plans. Additionally, all cleaning supplies and medications should be kept locked away, out of the children’s reach.
6. How Much Does the Children’s Daycare Cost?
As much as we want to pretend they don’t, finances play a major role in deciding what daycare to enroll in. The exact cost may vary depending on the age of your child, the location of the facility, and the care type, but it often reaches upwards of a thousand dollars a month.
If you can’t afford that kind of tuition and don’t want to sacrifice the quality of your kid’s early education, don’t worry! If you live in the state of Michigan, we recommend looking into completely free GSRP daycare options.
7. What Kinds of Outdoor Spaces Does the Children’s Daycare Have?
When it comes to enrolling in daycare, finding one with outdoor spaces is essential. Playing outside is a requirement for successful childhood development, as it encourages exploration, creativity, and pretend play. If a children’s daycare has access to active play structures like slides, swings, or monkey bars as well as more nature-based sensory areas, such as gardens, sprinklers, and water tables, it’s a sign of a quality location.
The Benefits of Kids Playing Outdoors:
- Promotes fine motor skills like balance and coordination
- Increases immunity with exposure to vitamin D
- Provides natural stress and ADHD relief
- Improves moods and lowers the risk of anxiety
- Encourages group play and socialization
Just because you have a daycare close to you doesn’t mean it’s the correct facility for you, your child, or your family. As you prepare for this momentous first step in your kiddo’s development, take the time to consider what qualities your dream children’s daycare would have. If you’re in Michigan, it might even lead you straight to The Breakie Bunch Learning Center!