Daycare provides parents with a place for their children to reside while they work or attend school. The selection of child care is one of the most important choices a parent makes. It is imperative to find a situation that is safe and nurturing for the family. Fortunately, in most areas, there is a plethora of choices for daycare.
Types
There are several different types of "daycare." This term generally refers to environments in which more than one child is receiving care different from an in-home nanny or babysitter. Daycare facilities vary in size and focus. There are "in home" centers, which are generally operated by an owner and usually no more than one employee and usually no more than half a dozen children. Contrastingly, there are large centers with multiple rooms that employee dozens of individuals and provide care for a large number of children segregated by age.
Benefits
Quality daycare can provide children with stimuli needed for both their physical and mental development. Daycare gives children the opportunity to learn social skills as well. The best child care facilities are staffed by professional caregivers who specialize in creating engaging lesson plans that teach children academic skills that will aid them once they begin school. These centers generally have large playgrounds and sometimes offer classes in dance or gymnastics to further a child's physical development. The variety offered by different facilities allows you to choose child care most suitable for your family.
Considerations
When looking for daycare there are many things to consider. The first priority is to make sure the child care you select provides a safe environment. Check the home or center to make sure medicines are under lock and key, the playground equipment is in good condition, smoke alarms are present, there is no peeling paint on the walls, electrical outlets are covered and the staff is trained in first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Your next consideration should concern staff to child ratio, whether caregivers prepare lesson plans and activities for the children, what the daily schedule entails and how the children are disciplined.
Warnings
Watch for adverse changes in your child's behavior to tip you off that something wrong is occurring in his daycare experience. Communicate with staff often. If caregivers do not respond to your concerns, you may need to seek alternate care for your child. Look for signs that something is going on if the staff turnover is high, a higher number of accidents occur than is plausible, if other parents are sharing concerns or reporting issues or if there is frequently a chaotic environment when you drop off or pick up your child. If you believe there are serious issues with a child care environment, report your suspicions to the state agency responsible for overseeing day care centers.
Misconceptions
Not all child care facilities are licensed. Ask to see the license of a facility you are considering. Daycare teachers are often not college educated and may have very little academic instruction involving caring for young children. Always inquire regarding caregiver qualifications. It is a misconception that all child care facilities are academically oriented. Even facilities which use the word "school" or "preschool" in their titles may offer very little opportunity for academic learning.
