You toured several daycares, did the interviews, and asked all of your questions, finally, you landed on what seemed like the perfect fit now check These Are 7 Things to Check at Your Child’s Daycare.
Even though you were nervous about leaving your child in someone else’s care initially, the first year has flown by in a blur.
Now it’s time to review your daycare contract for the next 12 months.
Before you sign anything, it may be time to reassess the placement.
You want to ensure the daycare is still the same quality as when you picked it out a year ago.
To get you started, here are seven things to check at your child’s daycare.
Table of Contents
Your Child’s Happiness
One of the best ways to decide if your daycare is a good fit is to check in with your child and see how they feel.
If they’re old enough, you can ask them how they like their teachers, their favorite activities and any other questions you can think of.
Also, check their mood when it’s time to get ready in the morning and when you pick them up.
Is your child excited about going, or do they make a fuss?
Do they seem to have a bond with their teachers?
When you pay close attention, you’ll be able to see subtle signs of their feelings toward daycare.
Learning Opportunities
Daycares, like parents, vary widely in their opinion on the best learning environment for little ones.
Some think the day should be very open, with plenty of opportunities for exploration and free play.
Others feel a more structured atmosphere with more learning-focused activities is best — emphasizing early reading prep, math skills and foreign languages.
You likely selected a daycare that correlates with your views on early education.
During your yearly review, check on the learning opportunities available for your child and see if they still align with your preferences.
Communication
What type of communication do you like to have with your daycare provider?
Do you want to get reports on their progress or frequent comments on how the day went?
Think back on this last year and reflect on the communication you received.
You’ll need to decide if you felt pleased with the level of contact or if you’d prefer.
Have a frank discussion with your child’s daycare teacher and see if they’re willing to accommodate changes before making any final decisions.
Teacher Turnover
Does it feel like whenever you pick your little one up from daycare someone new is there?
The bond between your child and their teachers is crucial.
A level of trust and familiarity will help your child feel safe and able to learn.
Also, it’s hard to ensure the qualifications of daycare staff when the employees change frequently.
You may want to inquire why they have such a high turnover rate?
Is there something about the quality of the facility that makes people head out the door? If so, maybe you don’t want your child there either.
Staff to Child Ratio
A low staff-to-child ratio allows for more individualized attention for each kid in their care.
One-on-one attention is essential for mental, emotional, social and physical development.
It can also affect how safe and comfortable your child feels during the day.
The official recommendation for caregivers to kids is 1:3 for infants, 1:4 for toddlers, 1:6 for preschoolers and 1:10 for school-age kids, although some states have different requirements.
If your daycare has taken on too many kids and lacks the proper staff, it may be time to switch to another provider.
Cleanliness
Odds are the daycare center was nice and clean when you took your original tour.
However, you should ensure it wasn’t just a fluke or done for your benefit.
Peek around when you pick your child up each day and see if things look just as clean.
Obviously, there’s likely to be a mess of toys, but check to see if the area has been dusted and wiped down, and to really get a sense of how sanitary their facility is, you could ask to use the restroom while you’re there one day.
Also, the daycare should be regularly sanitizing all the surfaces, not just wiping them down. If you didn’t when you first signed up, ask what they’re cleaning schedule is like.
Outside Time
Playing outside is such a valuable opportunity for young kids and essential for healthy development.
When you signed up for daycare, you probably noticed a policy saying the kids would get outside play time each day as the weather allowed.
In theory, that’s a great idea, but the wording provides an interpretive loophole.
Check in with your child and the staff to see how often your kid’s class actually gets outside.
If they’re staying inside often, even when the weather has been fine, it might be time to make a switch.
Re-Evaluate the Fit Each Year
Your daycare quality can shift quickly with management, staffing, and budget changes.
You should plan to reassess your child’s placement at least once a year.
Visit during the day to see their typical routine in practice.
Ask the staff your questions again and check in with your child to see how they like their daycare.
Finding a new childcare facility might be the last thing you want to do again, but if you discover things that don’t sit right, choosing a new daycare might be the best option.
You need to feel confident in your choice and that your child is well taken care of and safe while you can’t be with them.
