| Daycare is a widely recognized and helpful option for | | | | Other common areas of your local daycare to look |
| many parents. Most often, the parents that are | | | | into are the kitchen (How much of a variety in menu |
| searching for good daycare options are those who | | | | do the kids get? What about children who are |
| work, have social obligations, or those who are | | | | allergic to certain types of food?). If possible, bring |
| concerned about their child's social interaction skills. | | | | your child along for the walk-through. Let them ask |
| For whatever reason parents decide to put their | | | | questions and be sure to watch how they react to |
| children into daycare, figuring out what local daycare | | | | these new surroundings. Most kids are sure to be |
| to enroll them in can be a tough decision. The right | | | | intimidated, that's normal, but they shouldn't feel |
| (or, heaven forbid, the wrong) daycare has a big | | | | distressed. A new, local daycare should be a good |
| impact on both the parent and the child. | | | | fit for all involved. |
| One of the best ways to find a good local daycare is | | | | Some questions need to be answered by the |
| to get recommendations and feedback from other | | | | director. Questions such as: |
| people, especially other parents. Ask the daycare, | | | | • What certifications are required of the |
| as well as other parents, about that daycare's | | | | teachers? |
| strengths and weaknesses. What are the specifics | | | | • What certifications are required of the |
| of those negatives and positives? Research the | | | | assistants and other workers who interact with the |
| daycare you're looking into on the internet as well. | | | | kids? |
| There may be comments and information about your | | | | • What certified board does the daycare |
| local daycare from parents who used their services | | | | subscribe to as a whole? |
| previously as well as current information. Once you | | | | • How often is someone sent out to check |
| have done all your research, visit the local daycares | | | | that all the requirements are being kept? |
| you like the best to help narrow your selection down | | | | • What is the highest health training available |
| even further. | | | | on the campus? |
| Ideally, a walk-through of a daycare you're interested | | | | • What are the hours of operation? |
| in should be done on a walk-in basis. That way you | | | | • If you need your child to stay late, is that |
| are most likely to get a feel for and see what the | | | | an option and how much extra would it cost? |
| daycare is truly like on a day-to-day basis. Be | | | | • What materials are you, as the parent, |
| observant when you walk in. Taking into account | | | | expected to provide? |
| that there are rooms full of children, how clean is the | | | | • What can you and your child expect from |
| daycare over-all? Other questions to ask include: | | | | the local daycare? |
| • Are there age-appropriate toys? | | | | Another important factor in a local daycare is the |
| • Are there enough toys and activities? | | | | adult-child ratio, which is usually determined by |
| • Is the environment educational and | | | | whatever board certifies the daycare. Obviously, |
| engaging? | | | | the lower the ratio, the more attention each child will |
| In terms of safety, is the daycare age-appropriately | | | | receive, resulting in a better education and greater |
| child-proof? For the younger kids, there should be | | | | safety. |
| no exposed sharp corners, but even for older kids | | | | After you have walked-through all your local daycare |
| there should be child-proofing measures such as locks | | | | options, its time to compare the facts. Be sure to |
| on outside doors that are out of reach of little | | | | get input for your child. Armed with their thoughts, |
| hands. Security measures should also extend to | | | | your own observations, and the facts from your local |
| unauthorized access from the outside trying to come | | | | daycare options, confidently make the decision you |
| in. | | | | think is best for you and your child. |