My first choice for daycare was not available. I was on the list since my child was 6 months. We finally was able to enroll when my daughter turned 2.
The first daycare was excellent! My daughter loved it and would cry every time that I came to pick her up for the first couple of weeks. She did not want to go home. I was sad about that. I could not believe that she loved the place that much. She was at home with me for the first year of her life.
I believe my daughter learned a lot from year 1 to year 2. She knows how to count to 10. She knows the alphabet, but not the letters at sight. She knows all her colors.
She enjoyed the new school. The first day she did not cry. The second day she did cry. I think she missed the old daycare. It has been a full year now at the second daycare.
Anyways let me start on the tips to choosing the right daycare.
- I would also check out about 3-4 daycare centers before placing your child.
- Does your little one seem to like the place when you visit?
- Does the place look clean?
- Do the children look clean?
- Are the teachers presentable?
Guess what? I have visited daycares where the carpet the kids play on was dirty. The children were not dressed as if they were at school, and hair was not combed and clothes were dirty.
As a parent, you want a place that is nice and clean. If the place is a mess and parents do not care how they send their child to school, then your little one will get sick and stay sick.
- A good daycare states that the kids have to wash their hands when they enter the room. There are sinks and toilets available for the size of your child to use.
- See how the director/manager speaks to the teachers that work there.
- Choose a daycare that you can call and pop in when you feel like to see your child. There is an open door policy.
- Pick a daycare that has a nice playground for your child.
- Pick a daycare that has an actual curriculum for your child to learn and interact with other children.
- Speak to the teacher that will be responsible for your child on a daily basis.
- Ask a lot of questions.
I hope you enjoyed my tips.