If you have an infant or a toddler, you might be considering enrolling them in a childcare program. Childcare programs can allow you the time you need to work while providing your child with the socialization and education they need before starting kindergarten. That said, you want to make sure you are choosing quality child care.
There are tons of local childcare programs, with each one providing its own set of benefits. Because of this, picking a program can be a difficult process. You always want to make sure the type of childcare you are choosing is right for your little one.
Some tips for picking the best childcare facility include reviewing their safety and supervision protocols, evaluating the environment they provide, asking about the staff qualifications, seeing what activities they provide, and determining the level of parental involvement.
At Little Sunshine Preschool, we offer childcare programs in New Port Richey that provide the perfect balance of fun and education. Our child care center will help your kiddo learn vital social skills like sharing and expressing emotions as well as important early childhood education milestones, like identifying shapes and colors or knowing how to ask and answer questions.
Picking the Right Daycare Center Near You
Young children need to socialize with peers and adults outside of their families to prepare for kindergarten. That said, you want to make sure they are doing so in a safe environment. That is the main benefit of allowing your child to attend a childcare or daycare center.
The U.S. Administration for Children and Families offers guidelines for choosing quality childcare. According to their website, you should ask the following questions when you are picking a daycare center:[1]
Safety and Supervision
You want to ensure the childcare program you choose has safety and supervision protocols that are up to national standards. The easiest way to ensure this is to check for licensing and accreditation.
You should also ask the facility the following questions:
- How many children are cared for in the classroom?
- How many caregivers are present in the classroom?
- Are children supervised at all times, including inside, outside, and during naptime?
- Can other adults see caregivers at all times to ensure a child is never alone with one staff member?
- Has every staff member undergone background checks?
- Are the caregivers trained to prevent, recognize, and report child abuse?
In regards to the caregiver and child ratio, it is recommended that there be one adult per 4 infants. On the other hand, there should be one adult per 10 four-year-olds.
Environment
When you are looking at a childcare facility, you want to make sure the environment promotes emotional and physical health and safety. You can easily get a feel for a daycare’s environment by taking a tour and observing the staff members while they interact with other children.
Questions you should ask about the environment include:
- Is the atmosphere pleasant, welcoming, and comforting?
- Are there different areas for resting, playing, and learning?
- Is the environment clean?
- Are there enough toys and learning materials for all of the children?
- Does the program use electronics like TVs and computers for the children? How often are the children engaging in screen time?
- Is there a fenced-in space for outdoor play?
- Is the outdoor play area regularly inspected for safety?
- Is the equipment appropriate for your child’s age range?
- Are the children regularly taken outside for playtime?
- Do caregivers supervise outdoor play time at all times?
Caregivers and Teachers
It’s also important to examine how the caregivers and teachers interact with children. During a tour of a childcare facility, you should pay attention to how the staff members speak with their students and whether they are comforting them as needed.
Ask yourself the following questions about caregiver and student interactions:
- Are children comforted by the staff members when necessary?
- Does it seem like the caregivers and children enjoy being together and interacting with one another?
- Are children warmly greeted when they arrive?
- Do the caregivers appear genuinely interested in what the children are doing or saying?
- How do caregivers react to the children’s behaviors and are they able to resolve conflict among children?
- How do caregivers encourage peer interactions between children?
- Do caregivers get down on the child’s level to interact with them?
Activities and Education
It is important to assess the activities and educational materials your child will be interacting with. There should be a healthy balance of structured play and educational activities that prepare your child for kindergarten and elementary school.
When assessing the activities and education, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is there a balance of playtime, story time, activity time, and nap time?
- Do children get to spend a significant part of their day playing?
- Do children get to choose who they want to play with when appropriate?
- Do the caregivers play with your child to facilitate learning?
- Are the activities the children engage in age and developmentally appropriate?
- Is the program offering activities to encourage fine motor skills, language, independence, and cognitive abilities?
Parent Involvement
Lastly, the childcare facility must offer opportunities for you to get involved. Even if this simply means informing you about the activities your child engaged in during the day, there should be some level of communication from caregivers.
Ask yourself the following questions about parental involvement in the program:
- Is information shared with parents about daily activities during pick-up or drop-off?
- Is there a way to access information about your child’s care online?
- Are parents encouraged to drop by the daycare at any time?
- Are there regular opportunities (at least twice per year) for parents to meet with staff about their child’s strengths and developmental skills?
- Do you trust the program to share important information about your child in an appropriate amount of time?
- How do caregivers incorporate your family’s culture and values into the classroom?
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Childcare Center Near You
If you are looking for a quality childcare program, you’ve come to the right place. At Little Sunshine Preschool, we offer an environment that promotes sociability, creativity, and education among little ones. We always make sure your child feels safe, comfortable, and supported during their time at our facility.
Contact us today to learn more about how to enroll your child in our childcare programs in New Port Richey.
References:
- The U.S. Administration of Children and Families: Look, Listen, and Ask: Choosing Quality Child Care Tip Sheets
