daycares

What to Look for When Visiting Potential Daycares

Finding the Best Daycare: What to Observe During Your Visit

You want the very best for your child in every aspect of their lives. That’s why choosing the right daycare for them is so crucial. Their daycare can have a large impact on their early development and well-being. With numerous options available, it's essential to know what to look for to ensure your child is in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment. This article will explore the key factors to consider when visiting potential daycares.

Curriculum and Learning Environment

When your child is at daycare, you want to know that they’re participating in engaging and mentally stimulating activities. After all, some of the most important development that a child will go through occurs during the first few years of their lives, making early development essential. A stimulating environment for your child should consist of:

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Structured and Vast Curriculum

Look for a structured, age-appropriate curriculum that includes a balance of educational activities, playtime and rest.

A Variety of Learning Materials

You should look for a daycare that offers a plethora of educational toys, books and resources that cater to different developmental stages.

Engaging and Stimulating Outdoor Play

Adequate outdoor play areas are an essential part of creating an effective learning environment. The play areas should have safe equipment that allows for physical development and exploration.

Safety and Cleanliness

It’s no secret that children are not the cleanest bunch. It’s very easy for children to come back home sick, especially if they’re in a facility that doesn’t take the proper precautions to ensure a safe and clean space. Safety and cleanliness should always be a top priority at daycares. Look for the following:

Secure Entrances

Ensure the daycare has controlled access to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering.

Childproofing

Check for covered electrical outlets, secure furniture and safety gates.

Cleanliness

The facility should be clean and well-maintained. Pay attention to the cleanliness of toys, floors, bathrooms and eating areas.

Health Protocols

Always make sure to ask about their hygiene practices, including handwashing, diaper changing and illness policies.

Communication and Parent Involvement

When your child is at daycare and you’re away from them, that doesn’t mean you’re throwing in the towel for the day. You will still want to be in touch with the daycare throughout the day to make sure everything is going well. It is totally up to you and your comfort level how often you’d like to check in–but you want to make sure that no matter how many times you do check-in, there is effective communication between parents and caregivers. Pay attention to:

Updates

The daycare should provide regular updates on your child’s progress and daily activities, either through verbal communication, written reports or digital platforms.

Parent Involvement

Consider looking for opportunities for parent involvement, such as volunteering, attending events or joining parent-teacher meetings.

Daily Schedule and Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to a successful day at daycare. When you’re exploring your daycare options, make sure to try to get a sense of what an average day at daycare might look like for your child. And if there is a routine, is it one that you are interested in your child participating in? Here are some of the details to pay attention to:

Daily Schedule

Review the daily schedule to ensure it includes a mix of educational activities, free play, nap times, meals or whatever else you believe is essential for your child’s well-being.

Flexibility

While a routine is important, a good daycare should also accommodate each child's individual needs. Pay attention to whether the daycare is willing to change things around to support what each child needs.

Gut Feeling

This one is a little more difficult to quantify–but parents will surely understand it. When you tour the daycare, speak to the caregivers, evaluate the area and more and listen to your gut. Ultimately, you know what is best for your child. Trust that feeling if something doesn’t seem right or isn’t within your comfort level. There will always be another daycare to try out!

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