Tips for Choosing a Daycare in 2024

The daycare that you choose for your child will have a huge impact on their education and your family’s life while they are enrolled. More and more parents are opting to place their children in daycare. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, it’s reported that the percentage of 3-4-year-olds enrolled in preschool has increased by 10% in recent years. Let’s look at some tips for choosing the right preschool for your family.

Location

The location of the daycare facility will matter. Although this shouldn’t be the main deciding factor, it can make your life a lot more manageable if the center is located near your home or work. Not only does this make your daily schedule more convenient, but it can also help to save you money. You won’t spend as much on gas if the daycare is near another place you’re required to commute to each day.

Qualifications

You will want to thoroughly research the qualifications of the preschool teachers and owner. Preschools are required to operate under certain licensing. Be sure to check with your state to ensure that the preschool is operating legally. You will also want to talk in-depth with the school about the qualifications of the teachers. You’ll want to know where they received their training and credentials from. This is especially important if the facility is advertising its services as “early learning.”

Safety Protocols

You want to find a daycare that has solid safety protocols in place. This will include their policies on pickups and the physical safety of the facility, including gates and doors. It can also include what types of background checks all employees on the premises must undergo. Safety protocols can also include food safety and allergy policies as well. These are all important things to discuss before enrolling your child.

Learning Opportunities

You also want to look for a facility that provides rich learning opportunities for your child. These are impressionable years and much can be learned by toddlers when they are exposed to the right stimuli. Ask if you can review the learning materials or have an outline provided to you of what types of learning opportunities your child would receive.

These are just a few tips to help you get started on choosing a daycare. If you’re looking for quality daycare services in your area, then please contact us today. We are here to help with your childcare needs.