If you are a new parent and your young one is approaching the stage where you’re thinking about a daycare, you should start looking sooner than later.
So what should you look for when you are trying to find a daycare? This is a process that requires many questions and a lot of looking around. Typically you would want to start your search about six months before you will require the help. During the process, you will start to develop a feel for what you like and dislike.
A few of the top items to look for include a great reputation, established rules & regulations, a curriculum that will be stimulating for your young one, qualified caring staff, and of course, has a clean, safe environment. Finding a place that has a current license, although obvious, should not be overlooked.
You can now find the reputation of many daycares online, this is an excellent place to start looking. Word of mouth is also a very powerful medium. Do you know someone that is currently going to a daycare you are potentially interested in? What is their feedback and their experience?
The flexibility of a daycare is also important. This includes times that you pick up and drop off your child and the different times you are allowed to do this. The daycare hours and guidelines around this process should be clearly stated.
Although pickup and drop off guidelines are important, so is having a sick-child policy. Good childcare facilities may have strict policies around illness, however in the long run will be better for your child.
If the rules are too lax and ground rules are not established, this may not be the right fit.
For curriculum, you will want to find out what activities are offered. For instance, our Langley Daycare has a very structured schedule that includes plentiful physical activity along with quiet time like a daily reading session. Group programs and individual activities are also included in the curriculum. We firmly believe that a well-thought-out curriculum will be sure to stimulate your child’s development.
Having a childcare facility that offers a regular curriculum with an array of age appropriate activities (like our Langley Daycare, with spaces currently available), is ideal.
Having trained qualified staff on-board can be an advantage over a nanny, who may not always have a specialized education. Some of the qualifications to look for include a background in early childhood development and perhaps some type of emergency certification or pediatric first aid.
The staff should also interact well with the kids and be enthusiastic, energetic, responsible and well prepared.
Does the daycare provide the proper ratio of kids to caregivers? This is something important to consider. A good daycare will adhere to the ratio requirements to ensure proper care.
Is the facility clean and safe? Once you walk into the daycare, this is something that should be readily apparent. A good daycare will provide a clean sanitary environment. Once you have seen two or three daycares you will start to form a baseline. Floors, walls, kitchen area and walk ways should all be kept clean. Does staff wash hands regularly?
Safety considerations within a daycare environment may represent many things like the number of fire exits, how easily accessible the fire exits are, the number of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, first aid kits, and a facility that is secure from the ‘general public’.
If all of these meet your expectations then it could be the right daycare for you and your child.
Rainforest Learning Centre Daycare in Langley has been in the childcare business providing services since 1996. Our Coquitlam daycare location has been open since 2007. Everything about Rainforest, from our philosophy to our testimonials, illustrates how we meet the needs of our two most important clients – you and your child.
Rainforest Langley Daycare’s philosophy is to connect with the community to the benefit of all involved: the child, the parent, Rainforest’s staff members, and community members associated with the centres (e.g. local schools, licensing agencies, and professional associations). Rainforest works hard to create a supportive and caring environment for the children, one in which resources are shared amongst parents and care providers.