Linda Hassan Anderson (senior director National Association for the Education of Young Children Academy) says that choosing a daycare center is one of the most important decisions a parent will make. She advises parents to look for Day Care Epsom to daycare mt roskill that provides the best care and nurture for their child’s development.
This is because babies’ brain development begins in the early years. You want a place that will help babies–as they grow into a toddler and then a pre-preschooler–develop social skills, build relationships with teachers and other kids, figure out how to regulate emotions, and learn a lot. These are just a few of the many benefits that high-quality daycare can provide.
How do I find a good daycare?
Many moms request recommendations for daycare from their friends and family. This is a great starting point. It is a good idea to look into local options, as convenience is a major factor. You should ensure that there is a licensed facility available to provide a safe, clean environment.
To find a NAEYC-accredited childcare center near you, use the NAEYC search. These centers are considered the best because they must meet strict standards and undergo a lengthy approval process to be accredited by NAEYC. Ask your center if it is accredited in your region. The NAEYC’s “Guide for Families” will tell you how they compare to their standards.
You can use the National Association for Family Child Care’s Accredited Providers Search Tool to locate a provider who meets the highest standards for in-home care.
The interactive map of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies is available to view a list of licensed facilities in each state. It also includes information about day care and family care regulations, as well as inspection reports and state fact sheets.
What are the most important features for my child’s daycare?
There are no national standards for daycare centers. The licensing and regulations of each state will vary. You’ll need to do your research.
You might be thinking “Research?” It’s close to my home, it’s affordable, and the teachers are nice. “Why do I need to do research?” Richard Fiene PhD, Penn State University associate professor of human developmental and family studies, said that this is a common belief among parents. He says that parents will put on blinders if they are unable to find the right place.
Fiene suggests that you gather as much information as possible about the center and use more objective standards than your gut reaction to evaluate it. This is because you want to find a place that will support your child’s growth and prepare him/her for school.
Fiene used over 40 years of research findings to determine the most important characteristics of a high-quality day care center. He created his “13 Indicators of Quality Child Care.” guidelines. These indicators were used by NACCRRA in its “Is this the Right Place For My Child?” checklist. You can bring it with you to fill out at a daycare center. This will allow you to gauge the quality of the center. This list includes:
Good teacher-to-child ratios and constant supervision are essential.
Your child should be supervised by a caregiver at all times, even while she sleeps. Ask about the ratios in the center. One caregiver should be available for every three to four infants and young toddlers. There should also be one caregiver for every four to six older toddlers and six to nine preschoolers. These ratios will ensure your child receives the individual attention necessary for social and emotional development.
Degree-holding teachers
Fiene says that teachers should be intelligent and creative, but also need education and training. Ask teachers and administrators if they have an early childhood education degree and what kind of professional development they receive. To improve their skills, a good center staff must attend training every year.
Safe and healthy environments
Learn about the safety and health policies of the program. A good daycare center will be happy to share their policies, which cover everything from immunizations (should all children have them) to hand washing, handling sick children, and diaper changing. Every adult at the center should have been background checked and be certified in CPR/first aid. You should have plans in place to help a child who is sick, injured, or lost. Also, you should regularly practice emergency plans for floods, fires, and other natural disasters.
Be sure to double-check safety policies if you are considering family child care providers (providers who care for multiple children at home). Although Hassan Anderson believes that center-based child care is not necessarily better than home-based, he warns that family child-care providers are more tightly regulated. One alarming statistic: According to an American Sociological Review study, the fatality rate of children who receive child-care in private homes is 16 percent higher than that for children who receive care in centers.
You are on the same page
Is the daycare open to parents’ ideas and opinions? Are you familiar with the day care’s values and can you agree with them? Hassan Anderson says, “You want to have a partnership relationship and the staff at your day care center should share the same core values.” It is essential that parents and programs have a shared vision and communicate regularly with each other. Parent conferences are a good way for teachers and caregivers to share information about a child’s development with their parents, as well as communicate goals. Parents should always be able visit the facility and should be appreciated. Fiene says that parents should be allowed to drop by at any time. Parents should not be restricted from visiting children at certain times.
Learning and Development: A strong focus
You want a space that is well-organized and has a wide range of toys and materials appropriate for children. Ask staff for the weekly and daily schedules. Activities should include art, music and outdoor play. Reading should be part of the program’s daily schedule at least once a day.
High standards and a desire to improve
There are two types of approval for child care programs in some states: licensed or registered. A licensed facility is required to meet strict standards.
Some states have quality ratings. If your state has one, you should look for a facility with high ratings. Look for a program that is always striving to improve. Is the administration asking parents and staff for evaluations? Are they able to have external evaluators evaluate the program? Does the program have a plan for professional development of staff? The answer to these questions is likely to be yes.
There is a waiting list. How can I get me in?
There are many waiting lists at day care centers, particularly NAEYC-accredited ones, as less than 10% of them have this designation. Fiene says that these programs can have lengthy waiting lists. Fiene recommends that you plan ahead to get on the waiting list well in advance. Keep in touch with them. Keep in touch with your administrator so that you and your baby are not forgotten.
+ There are no comments
Add yours