Have you recently had a baby and planning on going back to work soon? Maybe you have recently moved and need to find a child care provider for your children in your new community. Either way, finding a quality child care service can be nerve-wracking. How do you know who to entrust with your children while you earn a living? My site has lists of tips that can help you find a child care provider and how to make your children comfortable with them. You can learn from my personal experiences in placing six children in child care over the last many years.
tips for placing your children in child care
5 Things To Consider When Choosing A Child Care Provider
Lillian Price
Searching for child care can be tough! The safety of your child is your number-one priority, so finding a safe and nurturing child care provider is important. There are so many options to choose from, it is hard to know where to start. How can you ensure you are making a good choice? Here are some tips to choosing once you have your choices narrowed down.
Check online for licensing info and for any potential violations.
The majority of states have information about licensed child care online that anyone can access. You should be able to see inspections and complaints. Reviewing the compliance and complaints of potential child care providers gives you a fairly accurate picture of how safe the facility is.
Make sure their philosophy speaks to you.
There are quite a few preschool philosophies, but two of the most common in the United States are Montessori and play-based. Montessori schools combine several ages in a classroom. They focus on hands on, purposeful play. Teachers are guides and there is very little formal instruction. Play-based learning focuses on themed activities and unstructured, hands-on play. Teachers often throw in some academics, also. Make sure that the way the school or provider runs their program aligns with how you want your child to learn.
Learn about the teachers.
If you choose a facility that employs multiple providers or has multiple classrooms, learn about the people that will spend the days with your child. Ask about the turnover rate of the teachers. A program that has a revolving door of teachers can indicate problems from within.
You may want to ask about the education level and years of experience of the teachers as well. A program that employs teachers with education degrees or many years of experience is likely to give you more bang for your buck and ensure that your children are safe and educated while you are away.
Find out how they communicate daily.
Daily communication between provider and parent is important with young children. A program that provides you with a consistent form of written daily communication is ideal. This way you know how your child spent their day, any problems that came up or any upcoming events occurring.
Ask about security measures.
A good provider will ensure the safety of the children with strict security. Before deciding on a child care provider, ask what measures they take to make sure the facility is secure from outsiders. How do they guarantee each child leaves with the proper person each day? What keeps people from walking in?
There are countless things to consider when making the important decision of who to trust with your child. When on the hunt for the best child care, be sure you cover all your bases.
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