Are you trying to figure out who will care for your little one when you return to work? You are not alone. One of the most challenging and scariest decisions every working parent must make is choosing the best and safest childcare services. Of course, no parent wants to leave their child for hours with just anyone. You want to be sure the person caring for your child is responsible.
The environment also matters. According to the World Health Organization, clean air, safe surroundings, and outlets for physical activity support early childhood development. With that in mind, the daycare you choose should be a safe place for your child to learn, grow, and thrive in their early years. But how do you determine if a daycare is perfect for your child? To make this all-important decision easy, here is a guide to choosing the safest daycare facility for your child.
Determine Your Needs
Selecting a daycare can be simple if you approach it like any other important decision. This determination means having a clear picture of what you want. So ask yourself whether you want a child care center near your home or workplace. Ideally, a child care center near your office or home can be the safest. You can pop in anytime to check on your child.
You might also want a center that provides a safe space for children to sleep. You may wish your child to attend a daycare where a dietician plans the kid’s menu. Or a center with a field equipped with the main playground safety surfaces like artificial grass and wet pour surfacing. When you know what you want for your child, you can quickly decide which daycare is the safest. Therefore, make a list of all your needs. Also, determine what you can compromise on without sacrificing your child’s well-being.
Do Some Research
Once you have determined what you want in a daycare, start searching. There is a lot of valuable information about daycares online. So, start your search there. During your online search, read testimonials shared by parents with kids in those centers before making any decision.
What other parents say about a daycare will help you determine whether or not it is a safe place for your child. For instance, if you come across reviews such as “My kid loves going to this daycare” or “The caregivers in my child’s daycare are well trained,” it means the daycare provides quality services.
It would be best to dig a little deeper to discover what types of programs and daycares near you offer. Do they provide care for infants, toddlers, twos, and preschoolers?
Take, for example, Chicago-based daycare Ladybug & Friends Daycare. They have an infant program for kids aged six weeks and 15 months, offering infants personalized care as they engage in age-appropriate activities. Their toddler program nurtures your child into independence while providing guidance and reassurance to keep them feeling secure. So, be keen to search for daycares that offer similar programs while keeping your child safe.
Check for Licensing and Accreditation
As a parent, you have to ensure your child will be safe. Therefore, choose a licensed and accredited daycare. A license is enough proof that the caregivers have a clean record and that the facility meets the required health and safety standards.
On the other hand, accreditation shows that the caregivers in the childcare center you pick have the education and skills to provide your kid with the emotional, nutritional, and physical support they need as they grow. You can get all these details by checking out daycare websites carefully.
Visit the Child Care Facility
While you may feel ready to choose a daycare after an online search, try to visit a few of your top choices in person. There are many reasons why an in-person tour of daycares matters a lot. First, you will test how long and safe the commute is. Second, a visit allows you to ask questions. Questions you should ask at daycares are:
- What qualifications do staff have?
- What food do the children eat?
- Is the teacher-to-child ratio suitable?
- Do kids get to play outside, and for how long?
- Is the daycare focused on providing allergy-free meals and treats for young ones?
- Do you have security cameras?
- Is the playground fenced?
- How do you prevent unauthorized access to the facility?
- Do you store cleaning supplies out of children’s reach?
The answers daycare managers provide should guarantee the facility prioritizes your child’s safety.
Be Observant When Touring Daycares
Another benefit of visiting daycares is that you will get to examine how each childcare facility manages its daily routine. With this in mind, observe how caregivers interact with children. Are they cheerful? Do they maintain a positive vibe even when a child throws tantrums? What about classroom practices? Besides playing and reading to children, find out if the teachers and kids practice emergency evacuation drills.
Also, inspect the classrooms, restrooms, and playgrounds. Are these spaces tidy, clean, and safe? Cleanliness at daycares is a big issue because kids get sick all the time. It is, therefore, crucial that the childcare provider you choose works tirelessly to tidy up and disinfect spaces where children spend most of their time. If the daycare is tidy and clean, it suits your child. Other signs a daycare is not safe, or the best for your child are:
- missing child locks and outlet plugs
- unsafe food storage and outdated licenses
- no background checks or drug testing of staff
- staff seem distracted, irritable, or stressed
- the daycare is understaffed or lacks trained caregivers
- exterior entrance points are easily accessible by anyone
- the facility lacks security cameras in classrooms and play areas
- classrooms and playgrounds are hazard-free
- toys and surfaces unsanitized
Conclusion
Finding a daycare facility that guarantees the safety of your child can be challenging. However, you can navigate this process without facing many obstacles if you know what you want. So, write down all the things you desire in a daycare. Then, start searching for childcare centers near your workplace or home. Next, visit several daycares to get first-hand experience of how they ensure kids’ safety. Review their safety and health policies and check for security features to ensure you choose the safest daycare for your child.
Sandra Chiu works as Director at LadyBug & Friends Daycare and Preschool.
