Parents often lose sleep over the choice of daycare. You’re putting the most important person in your life in the hands of people you don’t know very well. There are so many choices, and not every program that looks good online lives up to its promises in person.
The good news is that early childhood experts always point to a few things that all good daycare programs have in common. The basics of what makes a daycare safe, nurturing, and good for your child’s development are the same no matter where you are looking for one, like the daycare in Parker, CO. Here are 10 things you should really pay attention to.
10 Things to Look for in a Quality Daycare
Not every daycare will meet all of these requirements, but the more it does, the more sure you can be that you made the right choice.
- Low teacher-to-child ratios. This is one of the best signs of quality care. In smaller groups, people get more attention, responses are quicker, and the environment is safer overall. For toddlers, there should be at least one caregiver for every four or five kids.
- Warm, responsive caregivers. Pay attention to how staff talks to kids while you’re there. The best caregivers get down to the child’s level, respond quickly when the child is upset, and talk to them in a real way instead of just giving them directions.
- Proper licensing and accreditation. The state should have given a license to every daycare you look at. Check to see if they have a license and if they have broken any rules. If the program has a national accreditation from groups like NAEYC, then you can say that it has met an even higher standard of quality.
- Strict safety protocols. Check for locked doors, safe check-in systems, childproofed areas, and visible emergency plans. Find out how they handle fire drills and who is allowed to pick up your child. You should never think about safety as an afterthought.
- Clean, well-organized spaces. Keep an eye on the changing areas, bathrooms, and play areas. Toys should be cleaned often, and the whole place should feel tidy. A clean facility shows how seriously the program takes its daily work.
- Qualified, trained staff. Caregivers should at least know how to do first aid, CPR, and how to teach young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that the quality of childcare depends a lot on how well the people who provide it know what they’re doing and how well they get ready. Ask about the staff’s qualifications and how they keep up with their professional development.
- An engaging, age-appropriate curriculum. Even for very young kids, a good daycare should have a well-planned daily schedule that includes both guided learning and free play. Look for a wide range of materials, sensory activities, and chances to explore both indoors and outdoors.
- Transparent communication with parents. You will have to find out how the program keeps the parents in the loop. Does the program send daily reports? Does it have a communication app? And how often will there be regular parent-teacher meetings? And don’t forget to ask if it has an open-door policy that lets parents visit whenever they want.
- A positive, calm atmosphere. When you walk in, pay attention. It should sound like kids playing, not crying for a long time or yelling all the time. The overall tone should be warm and organized, with caregivers who are calm and in control.
- Healthy meals and consistent routines. Inquire about the food they serve and whether they cook it on-site. For younger kids, it’s important to eat healthy snacks and meals and to sleep safely. Kids feel safe and grow up healthy when they have a regular daily schedule.
Trust Your Instincts, but Do Your Homework
No list can take the place of the feeling you get when you walk in. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. But using your gut feeling along with the practical criteria above gives you the best chance of finding a program where your child will be safe, happy, and really cared for. Take your time, and if you can, go back more than once. Don’t settle until you’re sure of your choice.
