5 Steps to Finding Good Daycare
1. LOOK
Trust your first impression. Does the home or center
look safe? Do the adults seem to enjoy being with children? Are
there plenty of toys?
2. LISTEN
What does the child care setting sound like? Do
voices sound cheerful and patient? If it’s too quiet, there may not be
enough activity. Too much noise may mean a lack of control.
Visit more than once and speak with the childcare
providers, get to know them.
3. COUNT
The number of children and staff in each group. A
small number of children per adult is especially important when
caring for groups of young children and babies. Are they abiding
by the numbers they are approved for.
4. ASK
About the knowledge and experience of the people
who will be caring for your child. Quality caregivers are happy to
have you ask these questions and are always learning more about
teaching and caring for children.
5. CLEANLINESS
Does it look clean and maintained? Is the smell of dirty diapers really strong,
or does the place smell nice and clean. Obvoiously there would be a smell or diapers,
but the lack of changing children on a regular basis it would be really strong. Are there
dishes piled in the sink or is the sink clean and counter cleaned.