10 Things To Consider When Selecting A Child Care Provider
1st July 2010 by Babies No CommentsLooking for the right Walnut Creek Child Care provider? Here are 10 things to consider:
1. It’s important to find a caregiver that is registered with your state’s childcare licensing agency. This registration garauntees that the provider has met your state’s local requirements, and that they have completed the necessary backgournd check. It is also advisable to contact the state to see if there have been any outstanding complaints filed against this particular provider.
2. One of the top priorities to consider is location. Especially if the child care is to be provided every single day, convenience is an important factor to consider.That said, what is most important is the quality of care, not the convenience. It is important, however, that in the event of an emergency you are able to pick up your child as quickly as possible.It is a good idea to look for child care centers that fit nicely into your commute from home to work.
3. Your provider should have taken the necessary precautions to childproof the location. They must also have a strong emergency plan ready. These will include properly posted evacuation plans, fire alarms, etc. The childproofing in the building should also be sufficient for children of all ages.
4. It is important to consider the environment provided by the child care. These will include spaces for resting, areas for eating, areas for potty training, and areas that are assigned to age specific toys and safety.
5. Too much noise or activity has been proven in studies to create a problem of overstimulation. These particularly affects infants and toddlers, and can be very unsettling for them as they try to ease into spending much of their day at a new location and without their parents. It’s important to observe whether or not you think the programs and the atmosphere will be nurturing to your child or detrimental to your child.
6. The group size and scope of ages are two more important variables. Be sure to inquire about these factors.Use your parental intuition and preference to decide what range of ages you feel your child would be comfortable with, and look to see how well that care provider attends to each child.
7. Caregivers will have different philosophies on the development of children. It may not be necessary that their philosophy directly aligns with yours, but it is important that they are able to communicate well with your child and that their philosophy has the appearance of being functional and not just theoretical.Providing a measure of consistency for your child is crucial.
8. Interviewing the walnut creek day care provider should be a priority when looking for a provider. Begin by interviewing over the phone, and if the provider appears satisfactory, go one step further and meet with them in person. This is your child that you are entrusting to them, so be sure to ask as many questions as is necessary.
9. Make sure the provider has written policies and procedures for their business. These are important on a variety of levels, but on the most basic level, a knowledge of their hours and expectations needs to coincide with your schedule.
10. Using your instincts should not be overlooked. It is to your benefit that you feel comfortable with the provider, because it will enable you to have peace of mind while your child is not in your care.
Sherilyns Home Preschool is a certified Walnut Creek Preschool that offers interest based learning in a family home setting where your child will feel more comfortable.
