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Choosing a Day Care that Works for Your Child and You 

Choosing a Day Care that Works for Your Child and You 

One of the toughest first decisions I had to make as a new parent-to-be was finding exceptional day care for my newborn. I had to go back to work six weeks after giving birth so I began my day care search long before my son was born. I was thankful I did. Many day cares were full and had waiting lists. A number were simply not in our budget. Others did not take such a young infant.

Begin Early

Begin your quest for a day care as soon as you realize that you will need it. Many day cares require a deposit to hold a place for your child.

If your child has special needs that will need to be addressed, inquire if the daycare can support you in this and whether you will be comfortable. You may want to explore hiring a nanny or an in-home provider.

Ask Those Who Know

I asked day care-seasoned parents about the daycares they used before I began exploring day care options.  Their input was helped me to decide the environment I wanted my child to be in.

Determine what your parameters are: location, cost, hours and days needed, and in-home versus a church-based or commercial day care center. Schedule a tour of any day care that has made it on to your final list of options. Be sure to bring your list of questions with you.

Look for a Nurturing Environment

Children require nurturing to grow healthy minds and bodies. Observe the environment as you tour the home or facility.

What is the daily schedule? How are children treated? What is the caregiver to child ratio? How does the day care “feel”? How do the day care employees transition children into new rooms?

Be Comfortable with the Method of Discipline

Ask how the day care disciplines a child. If you are not comfortable with their methods, walk.

I did not think about asking about discipline until my son, and only child at that time, was kicked out of day care at the ripe age of twelve months for biting. I found another in-home day care for him and tearfully told the caregiver the truth. She gave me a big hug and said, “Well, that’s normal!” My son’s aggression and biting disappeared within days because he was receiving more nurturing. She also had him potty trained at fourteen months. He stayed with her until he began kindergarten.

Pay Attention to Safety and Cleanliness

What are the security procedures? Does the day care follow them?

Check out the bathrooms. Ask to see the kitchen. Check if the caregivers and other staff embers wear gloves when cleaning up bodily fluids. How are the rooms cleaned that your child will be in? Are cots disinfected? Is bedding washed or sent home with you on a consistent basis? Are the tables and other furniture appropriately child-sized? Are the toilets and sinks? What is the outdoor play area like?

Assess the Communication Style

How proactive is the day care with communication? Will you get a summary of your child’s day, down to the number of dirty diapers and time and length of her nap?  Will you be called immediately if there is a concern? Is the caregiver approachable for questions and discussion?

Understand Expectations the Daycare Has of You and Visa-Versa

Are you expected to pay for a full-time week over a certain number of days? How do vacations and holidays work? What hours is the day care open? Will the day care be able to take your child early or keep her late if necessary? If so, what is the charge of doing so?

Understand the Sick Policy

Most day cares are specific about what constitutes a sick child or an infection that will not be allowed to be in day care. A child in my son’s day care came down with the highly contagious conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye). I was relieved the affected child was sent home immediately and could not return to day care until a doctor said he was no longer contagious.

As a parent you hope the day care will follow the policies they have in place. Understand that adhering to the policy is important not only for your child, but others as well.

Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer, wife, and mother of four children. She is the author of “What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween” and “Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.”

Comments (3)

  • Annika Larson

    Right now, we are looking for a daycare for our twin daughters. We want to make sure that they will have the care and attention needed to continue to learn and thrive. Like you said, we will be sure to observe the environment of different facilities and consider how the children are treated.

    reply
  • I like that you mentioned to find out how well the daycare communicates with parents. I want to be in the loop and contacted often, so this is important to me. We will definitely keep this in mind as we try to find the right daycare for our son, thanks!

    reply
  • Johon

    I thought the suggestion to schedule a tour of a daycare center was a really good one. I think I would feel much more comfortable sending my daughter to a daycare after taking the time myself to research its policies, procedures, cleanliness, and so forth. Since my wife thinks daycare would be a great way for our daughter to socialize, I’ll be sure we tour the daycares we see as eligible candidates prior to making a decision of where to send our daughter.

    reply

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