How to Choose a Day Care

There are so many things to consider when choosing a day care center that it’s a bit overwhelming. Knowing whether day care is the best choice at all is difficult. Often, there isn’t time to check out every possibility in every day care to make sure you’ve made the best choice. However, deciding some things ahead of time and whittling the list down to the best options will make it easier for you to choose a day care.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Make some decisions up front and you’ll have a set of parameters to operate within. How much can you afford to spend for child care? With that amount set, is there enough left of your paycheck to make it worthwhile to work? If you’re only working to pay for gas and repairs, child care and lunches you need to make sure that going to work is what you want when you really aren’t coming out ahead. If this isn’t a problem, then set your financial parameters accordingly.
   
2. Consider your work. Does your job and/or your spouses job allow you to leave work for sick kids who need to be picked up? If not, do you have a reliable backup person who can stay with them until they recover? All kids get childhood illnesses—especially in group settings—so make sure that you make a provision for emergencies.
3. Know what you want as a family. Are you and your spouse in agreement over using day care? If one person isn’t in agreement, it will be very hard to get them to help with anything concerning it.
4. Think about your child. Has he been left with new people before? Does he handle change well? Do you believe he would be happy being part of a group? Is your child friendly or severely shy? Does he have special needs such as allergies or frequent sicknesses or behavior problems? Does he get along well with others? Not all children are comfortable in this setting and day care is not a good thing for every child. If you believe that this would be a good experience for your child, then begin to check the options out.
5. Make a list of the day care centers in your area. Write them down on a sheet of paper with the phone number and address. Put columns down the page and write these headings: Cost; Travel time; Child to Staff ratio; Licenses/training; Activities; Food, snacks; Security and Misc. notes.
   
6. Call each daycare center within reasonable distance and ask them about the items on your list. Cost should include late fees, sick days policy, and anything extra they may charge. Under activities put TV time (you don’t want to pay a fortune for your child to sit in front of cartoons all day), outdoor time, nap time and ask if they do any teaching there. When you ask about staff to child ratio, ask about the maximum number of children they take.
7. Visit the center firsthand. It’s a good idea to set up a time to take a tour. If you want to bring your child, you can do that as well. If you can’t do this, have someone that is family or is very close to the family help you. You really need to make a second unannounced visit as well so you can see them while they're operating and expecting no guests.
8. Cross out any that are unaffordable after you call them all. Then cross out any that had unacceptable items on them. Now review your list. Those left are the ones you need to visit. It’s a good idea to set up an appointment to meet with the day care director.
9. When you walk in, note the noise level of children and staff. Do the children seem happy? Are they occupied in activities you approve of? Does the area look like a safe place for them to play? How clean is everything? Where do the kids eat?
10. Ask for a tour of the facility. Look at the outdoor area to see that it’s safe. Is there equipment for kids to play on? Is the area well-fenced? What’s the neighborhood and the adjoining yards like? Is this somewhere you’d feel safe letting your child play? Check out the bathrooms as well.
11. Talk to the staff while you look around. Are they friendly? Are they uncomfortable or happy to show you around? Are they proud of their facility or making excuses for things? Are they neatly dressed and clean? Just use common sense here.
12. After all the facts are in, compare them all. The most important consideration after you’ve done all your homework is to trust your gut feelings. Where would you be most comfortable leaving your child? Where would your child be happiest? Doing all that you can do to ensure your child’s safety and happiness while staying within your budget will give you great peace of mind during the workday.