Choosing the right childcare center for your child is often a much bigger decision than parents seem to realize. The right childcare center and staff can help foster your child’s development and growth, providing you with peace of mind knowing that your child is in good hands.

1. http://www.earlyeducationpros.org/
Questions To Ask When Choosing A Childcare
Child Care

2. Questions to Ask When Choosing A Child Care
Choosing a child care program is one of the most important decisions that
you can make for your child. It may be necessary to visit several different
child cares in order to find one that suites your child’s needs. Not all child
cares are created equal and in order to pick the right one, there are 10
questions that you should ask each provider.

3. Do you follow the correct teacher to child ratio at all times?
Most states have laws in place as to the amount of children allowed with one
teacher at any given time. These ratios are important as they ensure that
your child is not in an overcrowded environment. It’s important that a child
care center adheres to these ratios even when staff members are out sick.
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4. What are your qualifications?
It’s no surprise that children do better in a setting where the teacher is
providing age appropriate activities. Each teacher should be trained in the
social, emotional and cognitive needs of these young children. Teachers that
have undergone training to provide lessons that will stimulate children in their
classroom will be better equipped to teach.
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5. What types of healthy snacks and meals will you provide?
While the occasional unhealthy treat is okay for a class party or special
occasion, they should not be the norm. Unfortunately, things like cookies and
brownies can be cheaper to serve preschool children rather than healthier
foods like fruits and vegetables. Many child care programs will try to save
money by serving less than healthy options. It is important that preschools
are serving foods that are healthy.
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6. Do you have protocols in place for dealing with food allergies?
Many children have food allergies, especially when it comes to peanuts.
Even if your child doesn’t have allergies it is important that you are aware of
any foods that are banned from the child care because another child might
be allergic to it.
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7. How much time do the children get to play outside?
Kids need to play outside daily. This allows for them to get exercise, outside
exploration, and to run off some energy. Child care programs should have a
dedicated outdoor play space that has age appropriate playground
equipment and has a fence enclosure.
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8. Do you allow the children to watch TV?
If a program has a TV you should be cautious. This could mean that when
parents aren’t around they are putting the children in front of the TV instead
of teaching them or allowing them to play. If a child care you are visiting does
have a TV, ask them why they have it, how much it’s used and what types of
shows are played on it.
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9. How do you discipline the children?
All kids act up from time to time so it’s important that you know how your
child will be disciplined when this occurs. Every program should have written
documentation as to what type of discipline techniques they are using. If they
don’t have any written documentation as to what techniques they use, give
them a few scenarios of a child misbehaving and have them explain to you
how they would discipline the child in that situation.
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10. How do you communicate each child’s progress with their
parents?
Parents need to know how their kids are progressing. A child care program
should have a way of communicating this with each parent. Common forms
of communication include conversations at the beginning and end of each
day, daily or weekly written reports sent home, as well as quarterly parent
teacher conferences.
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11. Do you rotate toys?
Kids will get bored if they play with the same toys over and over again. Child
care programs should be rotating toys on a monthly basis. This will ensure
that as children grow, they will be playing with toys that are age appropriate
and stimulating.
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12. How do you recognize diversity?
The world is very culturally diverse and child care should be doing their part
to celebrate these differences each of us has. While it may be impossible to
celebrate every culture individually that is present at school, they still can
encourage children to talk about their culture and discuss ways that they are
unique.
Finding the right child care program for your child may seem impossible. By
asking the right questions you can find one where your child will be in a safe
and loving environment that will stimulate learning. Just remember that if a
program is not willing to answer any questions that you have, then they
probably will not be the right fit for your family.
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13. www.earlyeducationpros.org