Quality Daycare Centers: How To Locate and Evaluate the Best Choices

When you must choose someone to care for your precious child it can be an extremely emotional journey. Often times a mother is dealing with the emotions of guilt, fear and anxiety. There are also a number of steps you can take to help alleviate these feelings.

I have worked as a teacher and administrator of a quality daycare center and I now go into many as a developmental specialist and as an occupational therapist.

I have had the advantage to have observed the great daycare centers, the good daycare centers and the yuck-gross daycare centers.

With this knowledge I have collected a list of suggestions on how to determine if a daycare center/preschool is a good option or not.

I do not separate the in-home childcare center from the center based childcare center. Both of these options can be a good choice just do your homework.

Questions to Ask

• The first thing you should do is to ask for recommendations from people that you know. Talk to other parents in your neighborhood, anyone that you might work with that has children, ask parents in parks, stores or church and of course your friends and family. Even local parent blogs and chat rooms can give you good advice.
• Most cities also have public daycare care resource services. Call and ask for their list of child care opportunities for your area. They are not allowed to recommend one daycare center over another but it may give you knowledge of care options you were not aware of.
• Make a list of the recommended daycare centers. Place the ones located close to your home or on your route to work at the top. Note that a convenient location is desirable but not necessarily that prime objective.
• Start making phone calls to each center to gather more general information. You should ask the following questions:

• Does the center have a opening for your age child?
• How much is tuition?
• Is tuition due weekly or monthly?
• What are the hours and days of operation?
• What are the days the center closes for holidays?
• Is there a security system in place?
• Is the center open year round or follows the public school calender?
• Are meals and snacks provided by the center?
• Is there a learning curriculum in place?
• Is the center licensed and/or accredited?

The answer to these questions should help you further organize your list. Place the three daycare centers that met all or most of your criteria at the top and plan to drop in to view them.




What To Look For When You Visit
Potential Childcare Centers



Now that you have your list you need to plan to go and visit them. You should visit the daycare centers unannounced. Also try to visit during non-nap time so that you can observe the center's environmental personalities.

Ready? Great! Go put on your comfortable jeans and tennis shoes, pack up the baby and lets go play!

You are going to LOOK-LISTEN-SMELL-&-FEEL when you visit each center.

RED FLAGS TO AVOID

• When you arrive unannounced are you welcomed or asked to make an appointment for a tour. If you are welcomed did you feel like it was a warm welcome or merely tolerated? If you are asked to return with an appointment be wary.

• Is a person there to show you around and answer your question or does someone have to leave a classroom to show you around? This may indicate that the school is under- staffed.
• Your tour should include all the areas of the center not just the room your child will be in. If it doesn't ask to see all of the center. There should be no hesitation to do this.

Made it past these possible flags? - Great, now lets look at the center's environment. Below I have made a list of what I feel are good observational criteria that can make or break a QUALITY daycare center. Along with these suggestions you should also listen to your inner mommy voice. This voice may be a fairly new voice but generally she is a reliable source.

• Is the childcare center large enough to allow for personal items, indoor play, meals and naps? If the center appears cluttered with personal items or other school materials it most likely is not large enough.
• Is it a bright and cheerful place? Are there bulletin boards, pictures and adequate lighting? Also note where are these things placed. Children usually do not view things higher than 12-18 inches above their heads. If these items are placed too high they are not benefiting the children and could indicate lack of early childhood knowledge within the center.
• Does the center provide good lighting and adequate temperatures?
• Is there a separate room for sick children to be isolated?

• Is there a separate playground for the younger children? If there isn't this is a danger and a good reason not to choose that center.
• Walk around the play grounds and observe if the equipment is well maintained. Look for sharp edges, fraying seats or any obvious signs of wear. Also note if the equipment has been painted recently or not. Equipment that has been painted often demonstrates attention to overall maintenance.
• Is there more than one of each toy available on both the playgrounds and in the rooms? If not than this could be a sign of potential boredom or fighting among the children. Many children have been bitten or hit in a fight over the favorite toy.
• Are there art supplies available for the children to use daily? Look for art work from the children hanging in the rooms.
• Are there books and puzzles and other manipulative and educational toys available for each age group?
• Does the center smell clean? If not this is a huge indicator of how sanitary the environment is maintained. Bad smells generally mean poor cleaning habits.
• Are the floors and carpets clean? Floors should be mopped and free from smears or spills. Carpets take a beating around children but they should not be stained or tattered. Would you sit or crawl on what you see?
• Inspect the diaper changing areas, bathrooms, sinks, drinking fountains and kitchen. They should smell and look clean.
• Watch the other children. Do they appear happy, engaged in activities and well-cared for.
• Are the children clean? Dirty clothes or hands on children who have just come inside is one thing but nasty noses or lunch faces is another.
• What sounds are you hearing? Does it seem to be too noisy? This could indicate a lack of control or supervision. Is is too quiet? This could indicate too much structure. You should hear loud happy voices and laughter mixed in with the occasional short burst of crying.
• Do you hear the teachers raising their voices or using harsh words or are they cheerful and patient?
• Do the teachers get down on eye level when speaking to a child?
• Do the teachers demonstrate respect for each child?
• Do the teachers provide interesting,stimulating and educational activities and environments?
• Ask if the teachers are certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Ask the teachers how long they have worked in child care,at that center particularly and if they have credentials. The longevity of a care giver is important with small children due to bonding and trust issues. If you find that most teachers are new to this center this put you on alert.
• Does each room post a weekly lesson plan that includes a daily schedule?
• What are the policies for discipline?
• What are their policies for illnesses?
• What are their policies for administering medications?
• What are the security procedures and safe guards?

These are tips to guide you in making a decision in your child's care but always follow your mommy instincts. If your have a uneasy feeling even though the center seems great keep looking until you find the right fit.








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