Tips for Choosing the Best Child Care

When it comes to finding the right child care center, parents often search high and low until they settle on the best provider possible. With all of the choices & styles available, choosing a child care center can be a bit overwhelming. All parents want their children to be safe and happy and in an environment that encourages learning & development. We’ve pulled together a few helpful tips that you can follow to take the frustration & confusion out of choosing childcare.

Tip #1 Start Early

Don’t wait until the last minute to begin your search for the best child care canter! Begin your research early. Consider your child’s temperament, behavior, health, preferences, and special needs. You will want to find a center that nurtures a child’s needs and fosters a safe and effective learning environment. It can help to write down what you want and expect from your child care program.

Tip #2 Check References & Licensing /Accreditation

Some states & local governments require a license in order to operate a childcare center. Find out what your local requirements are and make sure to ask about these permits & licenses when you call to do an initial interview with potential centers. It’s also a good idea to find out what accreditation the child care provider has received. Local Orlando Child Care Centers that have been accredited by a national organization have met voluntary standards for child care that exceed state requirements.

Parents of children currently enrolled in a potential child care center are a great resource. Ask for some references from current or past parents, as a highly reputable provider will always have references and referrals available. Performing a quick online search can also lend you some insight on how other parents rate the school. Websites like Yelp, Google +, and Yellow Pages are often full of reviews & ratings that will help you get a better feel of the environment and capabilities of the child care center staff. Once you have narrowed down your search to a few local centers, you can begin with calls and visits.

Tip #3 Find Out Policies & Procedures

Professional child care centers should always have a written policy outlining discipline, health standards & illnesses, medication, nutrition, transportation, visitation and other important areas. If you want to randomly drop in on your child during school hours, you will need to make sure the center has an open door policy on parent visits. If your younger child is not yet potty trained, you will need to find out what their procedures and requirements are for toilet time & training.

A good center will be able to quickly & easily handle separation anxiety, disciplinary incidents, sick children, and meal or snack time. If your child has a special need or ritual during their day, it’s important to cover this with the child care center to ensure they are properly prepared to handle these tasks.

Tip #4 Make a Visit

Once you have whittled down your search to a few decent child care centers, it’s time to make visits. Look for responsive & nurturing interactions between teachers/caregivers and children. The center should be clean & orderly and should be stocked with a variety of educational toys, learning materials, books, blocks, and other fun items that encourage growth and development.

Also check for child-to-staff ratio to ensure there are enough caregivers to properly monitor over all of the students in the center. The fewer children there are per adult, the better it is for your child. This is even more important for infants less than one year of age. The ratios as mandated by the Department of Children and Families for the State of Florida are as follows:

• Infant 4:1
• Ones   6:1
• Two    11:1
• Threes  15:1
• Fours    20:1
• Fives     25:1

Take note of how children are sorted to ensure that all activities are appropriate for their age group. Ask about caregiver qualifications and what the requirements are for training & education. Because it’s better for children to stay with the same caregiver during the school year, find out turnover rates. Caregivers that come and go provide less stability which can be hard on your children.

Tip #5 Consider Cost

Last but not least, you will need to consider the cost of tuition. It’s good to know what is included in the fees and what may be extra. Are there other services available other than child care? If so, is there an additional cost? Knowing when payments are due and how much you will be expected to pay is important to understand whether your budget will accommodate the childcare expense.

After you have done the proper research and preparation, choosing the best childcare center for your young children will be much easier. If you have any questions on the process of enrolling your child in infant care, toddler care, preschool, or pre k, give us a call 407-381-7979. With two locations in East Orlando and a staff full of qualified and loving individuals, it’s no wonder why our center has received a fantastic reputation with locals in Avalon Park.