Erica’s World

Most parents will have to search for a daycare at some point in their child’s life. This is not an easy choice to make. For a single parent, finding the right daycare is one more demand to add to an already over-loaded list of tasks. Finding a daycare that is a perfect fit for your child is key. I have come up with a guideline to help you make the most informed decision when searching for a daycare that best meets the needs of your child.

Are you looking for a daycare near home or work? Do you want your child to be exposed to a lot of children or do you prefer a smaller setting? Do you feel secure with a home-based setting or a center-based facility? It is best to make a list of exactly what your preferences are. This will help define your search.

Research, Research, Research

Ask around. Ask your pediatrician or other experts for recommendations. Check NAEYC and The National Association of Family and Child Care for accredited daycares. Go to your state’s Department of Health and Family Services to get a list of licensed daycares in your state.

Visit and Interview

A good daycare center will open their doors for a potential client. If a center is weary or cannot be bothered to show you around, then it’s a good sign to keep on looking. When visiting a daycare, check if it is clean. Do the children seem happy? How do the children and the staff interact? Look to see that the daycare provides a variety of toys and activities for their children. Ask to see their daily schedule. This will give you a glimpse of what your child will likely experience day by day.

Check References
Ask for a daycare’s references. If it is a quality daycare, they won’t mind. Check the Better Business Bureau to get a read on any prospective daycare. Be sure to call references. Ask specifically what he or she liked or didn’t like about the daycare.

Conduct A Trial Run

Take your child to visit the daycare. Your child is often the best test of judgment. If he likes the daycare, this is a good sign. This is a good time to see how your child interacts with staff. If he seems agitated or out of sorts, you will know it’s best to keep looking.