When you’re choosing a childcare center for your tiny tots, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. The Breakie Bunch is here to help you narrow it down and simplify your search with this helpful list.
10 Considerations When Choosing a Childcare Center for Your Family
Before you enroll your little one in a childcare facility, make sure you look into these ten factors to determine if it’s the right fit for you and your family:
1. Location in Relation to Your Home
As you’re making your list of preschools, consider mapping out how far the center is from your home and place of work. This will help you determine if it’s a doable distance that works for drop-off and pick-up times. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a stay-at-home or working parent—minimizing your commute time is always a plus.
2. Overall Cost and Extra Fees
Daycare shouldn’t break the bank! There are plenty of cost considerations that go into choosing a childcare center, and with hidden expenses and fees, it can be difficult to know just how much a facility will actually run you. We’re all for price transparency and affordability—ask about our GSRP preschool program and our general tuition rates to start an honest conversation right off the bat.
3. Classroom Size and Ratio
The teacher-student ratio is incredibly important to consider. In general, the smaller the class size, the more attention and care your child will receive. Younger programs, like infant care and daycare, should have an even smaller ratio than that of older childcare classes.
4. Credible and Trained Staff
The teachers are what make a daycare feel so special. Inquire about the required degrees, licenses, and training each childcare facility requires for their teachers. At our Goodrich location, for instance, all teachers must hold an associate’s degree in childhood education or another related field.
5. Type of Curriculum
Childcare curricula are designed to further the minds of even the youngest learners. The daycare curriculum could be something more general, such as our hands-on and play-based approach, or more specific, like the Montessori or Waldorf methods.
6. Mealtime and Snack Options
Some childcare centers offer included meals throughout the day. Don’t be afraid to ask how they handle dietary restrictions and allergies, as well as the level of nutrition in the snacks and food served.
7. Types of Outside Play
Did you know that playing outside is crucial for children’s development? All childcare facilities should incorporate some form of outdoor play into their daily schedule, whether it’s time in the sandbox or a walk in the park.
8. Overall Security and Safety
As you tour daycares, ask your guide about the safety measures and protocols they have in place to ensure children are kept safe under their care. This can include locks on the doors, fenced-in play areas, security cameras, drop-off and pick-up policies, and more.
9. Frequency of Teacher-Parent Communication
It can be scary leaving your precious children at a daycare center all day—teacher-parent communication is key to alleviating those worries. At our Waterford location, we utilize the Tadpole app to provide each guardian with daily updates; however, other centers may host conferences or send out newsletters.
10. Parent Involvement at the Center
The level of parent involvement expected depends on the daycare, and it can vary greatly! Some prioritize parents coming in and helping out, while others prefer a bit of distance. If you can’t wait to bring in snacks, volunteer for extra-curricular events, and chaperone events, make sure to choose a childcare center that encourages parental participation.
A Look Into the Childcare Programs at The Breakie Bunch
At The Breakie Bunch Learning Center, we offer six curated programs directed at different ages, including;
- Infant Care: ages six weeks to one year old, with one class holding a maximum of eight infants.
- Young Toddler: ages one to two, introduces a basic routine, including naps, snack times, and exploratory activities.
- Toddler: ages two to three, offers hands-on activities and a fun-filled environment to help tots hone their social and emotional skills.
- Preschool Prep: ages three to four, exposes pupils to a large variety of group activities and one-on-one learning to prepare them for preschool.
- Preschool: ages four and up, focuses on hands-on activities, a well-rounded early education curriculum, and a rich classroom experience.
- Summer Camp: ages five to 12, available all summer long with special guest visits, field trips, outside time, and fun water activities
Once you’ve looked into these crucial criteria, narrowing down your childcare options will be simple. Happy enrolling!