Day Care Drop Off How to Pick a Facility to Care for Your Little One

As schools start up for the new school year, you may be thinking about the need for daycare for your little one. About 70% of primary care givers work outside the home, but according to a 2019 survey, half of families have difficulty finding childcare. Why is it so hard to find good care?! There are so many options: daycare centers, in home care, family babysitters, nannies, and even au pairs. But, there are so many things to consider when trying to decide who will watch your baby while you’re away at work!

Since daycare centers are the most popular option, let’s take a look at 10 things you should consider before you enroll your child.

1. Center licensing and accreditation. Did you know there are no federal standards for daycare centers? Instead, states are in charge of regulation, and, of course, each state has different requirements for daycare licenses. Additionally, centers are not required to be accredited. But we have you covered: check The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) for information on your state’s requirements and facilities’ licenses. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is considered to be the standard for accreditation if you want an accredited center. Some states have quality ratings that you can search as well.
2. Teacher qualifications. Do the teachers have degrees in early childhood education? At a minimum, the center director should have a degree. The center should provide professional development for its staff at least once a year. Additionally all staff should have passed a background check and be certified in CPR and First Aid.
3. Child safety. Obviously, you want a facility that puts a high priority on your child’s safety. When you visit the center, look around to see if the area is babyproofed. Are there choking or tripping hazards? Do stairs have locked gates? Are cabinets locked? Are cleaning supplies out of reach and locked away? Do the baby beds have pillows or other items that could be a suffocation hazard? Also check the center’s procedures on check out: there should be strict guidelines on who can pick up your child on a regular basis and in case of emergency.
4. Center philosophy. It may seem weird to think about a daycare center as having a philosophy, but you want to make sure that your values align and that you’re on the same page on certain issues. For example, what is the center’s philosophy when it comes to disciplining a child, soothing a fussy baby, feeding a child outside of lunch/snack time? Does the facility welcome parent participation and ideas? Does the facility welcome drop-in visits? Are there web cams you can use to watch your child throughout the day? How does the facility communicate issues or concerns with you? Remember, until your baby can talk, you are relying on her teacher to let you know any concerns. (Likewise – is the center receptive when you try to tell them issues that could affect your child’s mood or behavior such as teething, an ear infection, etc.?)
5. Center policies and procedures. Be sure to review the center’s policies and procedures. The center should have a manual that covers sick policy (for children and staff), holiday policy, early drop-off/late pick-up policy, etc. What’s the center’s communication policy – especially in emergencies?
6. Center tuition and other costs. Most of us realize child car can be expensive, but, before registering your child, be sure to ask about not only tuition but also any other fees the center charges. You may be expected to pay an application fee, a deposit (which may or may not be refundable), activities/supplies fees, early check-in or late pick-up fees, etc. Do you have to register for an entire year? Is there a fee if you withdraw early? Do you receive a discount if you pull your child out for a family vacation? Does the center offer a sibling discount? Do you need to bring your child’s food, diapers, etc.? Is there a part-time option if you don’t need full-time daycare?
7. Learning and development focus. You want to enroll your child in a center that is focused on learning and development. This applies to babies as well! Birth to age three is a crucial time for baby growth and development, and babies and toddlers can learn a lot through play. Daycare centers should have a variety of age-appropriate books, toys, and activities for each class. Does the facility post daily and weekly class schedules? You’ll want a center that includes reading at least twice a day, art, music, outdoor play, and imagination play.
8. Teacher interaction. There’s a lot to unpack here. First: are there enough staff to monitor and interact with the children? A general guideline is that there should be one instructor for every 3-4 infants or young toddlers, 4-6 toddlers, or 6-9 preschoolers. And find out the age groups for each class. Second: look at the interaction between the teachers and the children. Are the teachers there just to supervise the children, or are they on the floor, at the children’s level, and interacting with them in play and instruction? Is there low teacher turnover? Do the children and instructors look happy and engaged?
9. Parent references. Does the center collect feedback from parents? Does the facility share parent evaluations? Can you get contact information for parent references? Be sure to follow-up with any references and ask open-ended questions about their experiences in addition to any specific questions you may have.
10. Gut check. Schedule an interview at the center so you can ask your questions and tour the facility; you may learn as much by observing the teachers and children as you do by asking questions of the director. If the facility allows it, drop in at another time to observe the facility when they’re not expecting you. Do your research and check references. Then, trust your gut. If you get an uneasy feeling, it may be time to drop this center from your list and look at another option.

Most families end up using some type of daycare for their children, but it’s understandable – especially for first time moms – to be nervous dropping your child off at daycare. Just remember there are many benefits to a good daycare: you may be able to keep your child in the same facility until preschool or kindergarten so your child will have continuity of care, your child can learn to play and share with other children, and good centers gear education to your child’s developmental and growth needs. As with so many parental decisions, when it comes to a final decision, you need to make the choice that’s right for you and your family.

As we mentioned earlier, birth to three years is a critical time in a child’s growth and development. That’s why One by One focuses on teaching our moms strategies to interact with their children to help them learn through talk and play so they develop on track and be ready for kindergarten when the time comes.