Did you know that between 1975 and 2013, the number of daycare industry employees increased by nearly 250 percent?
With this increase in numbers also comes an increase in choice. You are likely to have a number of local daycare options available to you.
How do you make the right choice? How can you be sure that you’re making the best decision for your child?
Read on as we look at some key tips for choosing a daycare.
1. Check That the Hours Work for You
One of the most important considerations when choosing a daycare is to think about the hours that daycare is available.
You can find the best daycare in the world, but if the working hours don’t fit in with your schedule then it’s just not going to work for you. You need to be sure you find a daycare that can look after your child for the exact amount of time you require.
Many good daycares will offer staggered hours so that children don’t all have to arrive or leave at the same time. This makes things much more flexible.
2. Carer to Child Ratio
Another important factor when thinking about how to choose a daycare is the carer to child ratio.
If a daycare has a lot of kids and not that many carers, then your child isn’t going to get the attention they require. It also means there is a bigger risk of something going wrong as it’s harder to supervise a larger number of children.
With a good ratio of carers to children, you can be sure that your child will have constant attention and will be monitored carefully at all times.
3. Facilities
A key factor when picking a daycare is the facilities and curriculum that are on offer.
You could have a daycare right next door with the perfect carer to child ratio, but if their facilities aren’t up to scratch then it’s not going to be the best choice.
The curriculum is also important. You want your child to develop as well as be taken care of. Daycare should be more than just babysitting; it should be a school for toddlers. By finding a daycare that has great facilities and a strong curriculum, you can ensure that your child benefits from a wide range of activities and makes good educational and personal progress.
Are Looking for the Right Daycare for Your Child?
If you’re looking for daycare for your child or children, then it’s important you do your research. The last thing you want is for your child to settle into a daycare only for you to change your mind and move them somewhere else.
The above factors are all important, but there is plenty more to consider, such as the cost, location, meals and snacks, and more. Take your time to make sure you make the right decision the first time.
For more useful content like this, check out more of the site.
My cousin needs to find a daycare for her son. It is a good idea to consider the facility. I’ll help my cousin find a daycare with a good facility.
My daughter is turning 3 years old this year, and since I just got reinstated back into an office job, I need a daycare center to watch over her from now on. I appreciate you letting me know that it would be best to consider the carer to child ratio inside the center so you’ll be assured that your child will get the attention they require. I’ll keep this in mind while I look for daycare centers near our home or my workplace.