Choosing a Daycare – 14 Helpful Tips from a Child Injury Attorney
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on December 15, 2015
As a parent, your child’s safety is a top priority. Infants and toddlers are at high risk for accidents, and because of this, choosing a daycare you can trust is a top priority. With a variety of options, it can be confusing to choose the best childcare facility for your child. And many of the top places may have long waiting lists, or they may be too expensive for your budget.
If you’re a parent of a young child trying to find a high quality daycare, there are some things you can do. Follow along for 14 tips to make your experience choosing a daycare a bit easier.
14 Helpful Tips for Choosing a Daycare for your Child
- Research the Staff: Make sure you have the chance to meet the specific people who will be in charge of your children while at daycare. It’s important that you feel comfortable with these individuals and that they are responsible caregivers.
- History of the Business: Ask how long this facility has been in operation and learn about the history of this facility.
- Location, Location, Location: Location and the environment are essential to picking a good daycare. You want this place to be easily accessible in the case of an emergency or a quick visit. You also want to be sure that the inside of the building is up to code and safe for children.
- Observe Interactions: When visiting potential daycares, observe how the employees interact with the children and with one another. This will help you envision how your child will be treated while at daycare.
- Communication is Key: Make sure that you have an open line of communication with the staff. If you aren’t able to have a clear line of communication with the daycare, then this is not your place.
- Customized Care: Make sure before making your final decision that your potential daycare is able to handle individualized needs well. Choose a place that you know will consider all of your needs and your children’s needs.
- Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions during your decision making process. You will want to ask about codes, accreditations and staff members. You will want to ask whether any children have been seriously hurt in this facility. These questions will help narrow your list.
- Background Checks: Along with questions, consider running a background check on this business and it’s employees. Gather as much information as possible before choosing a daycare for your son or daughter.
- Ask for References: Talk with some parents who have used this facility for an extended period of time. Ask them specific questions about their experiences and the other places they considered.
- Disciplinary Approach: Ask about how the staff disciplines children that are not behaving, and find out how parents are notified about conduct issues.
- CPR Training: Find out of all staff members have gone through CPR training.
- Qualifications and Licensure: Check awards, staff accreditations, experience, training and licensure. Your daycare decision should be based off of the staff’s abilities, the quality of the facility, and the overall caliber of care.
- Child-to-Staff Ratio: Ask about the child-to-staff ratio. Your child should be protected and cared for while at daycare. Asking about the ratio will help you get a better understanding of the level of care your child will receive. The lower the ratio, the more personal care your child will likely receive.
- Keep Options Open: After making your decision, know that it is not set in stone. Stay flexible and if you are not happy with the selected daycare, you can always try another option!
While there are a lot of suggestions to follow, it’s always best to trust your gut. Watching the interactions of the staff and children, along with multiple visits to the daycare, will help you get a better idea of what it will be like for your child to attend. Ask around to your friends and pediatrician, too. Chances are, if many people that you know have been satisfied with this facility, you and your child will be happier too.