728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Preschooler and Child › How to Select a Quality Daycare for Your Child

How to Select a Quality Daycare for Your Child

Exploring Your Childcare Options

By Jill Eggleton Brett

Pages:  1  2  3  

  • Are there routines and/or rules the children can understand and follow?
  • Is there a space for each child's personal items?
  • Is each area thoroughly childproofed?
  • How are medical emergencies handled?
  • Can parents get involved in daily activities if they desire?
  • Can parents drop in without notice?
  • Is there a trial enrollment period?
  • Will the caregiver answer your questions and tell you about your child's day?

    • "Good communication between child, caregiver and parent is essential," says Debbie Colann, director of Mountain View Day Care and Preschool. "Look for a day care that encourages informed communication so that the parent and caregiver can work together to create the best possible experience for the child." It's also a good idea to drop in unscheduled for a second visit with the day care; this may give parents more of a feel for the environment. Whether one chooses a day care center or home-based day care, each has its good and bad points. The choice depends upon the needs of the parents and children.

    kid going to school Some of the stronger points of day care centers include scheduled hours, lots of activities and stimulating programs, and opportunities to interact with lots of other children. The benefits of home-based day care include much lower cost, the ability to work with individual parents on naptimes, potty training and the like, and always the same person taking care of your children.

    Sara Boretz, mother of twin girls, has had her daughters cared for in both types of environments. "In the home-based day care I used, I really appreciated the amount of individual attention my girls received," Boretz says. "And when they were in a day care center, it was a joy to see how much fun they had while they were learning letters, numbers and colors with other children."

    Pages:  1  2  3  

    Want to see more?

    Comments

    There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

    Post As:
    Enter your comment below:
    Title
    Comment Text
    CAPTCHA
    Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.