Daycare

What to expect

Are you searching for a high-quality daycare center nearby? Whether you’re still in the process of finding daycare or preparing for your child’s first day, it’s crucial to know what to expect from a daycare facility.

Understanding What to Expect at Daycare
The first step to being an informed parent is understanding the standards you should expect from a daycare. While individual preferences may vary, there is a basic level of quality that all parents should anticipate.

This is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Daycares that remain open must adhere to strict safety, sanitization, and COVID-19 prevention protocols.

As you review what to expect at daycare, consider creating a list of essential questions to ask potential providers during a visit. Even if your child is already enrolled, it’s never too late to request a tour and get answers to important questions.

Key Expectations in a High-Quality Daycare

Open Communication
Clear and open communication is essential for your child’s care, and it should go both ways. You should feel comfortable asking any questions you have, and the provider should be transparent about your child’s day, including details about their development, behavior, and overall experience.

Friendly Environment
A friendly environment means one that is clean, safe, and stimulating for your child at an age-appropriate level. Both indoor and outdoor spaces should be well-organized, clean, and provide plenty of room for your child to learn and play.

Knowledgeable Staff
The curriculum, teacher experience, and daycare program style will influence what your child learns. A quality daycare should focus on the developmental milestones of all children in their care and be equipped to support children through various developmental challenges.

Visitation Policies
Regarding visitation policies, pre-COVID-19, an open-door policy for parents was common. Nowadays, many childcare providers offer virtual visit options to ensure safety. While it’s not the same as an in-person visit, a virtual tour can still give you a sense of the environment and allow you to observe your child’s activities throughout the day.

Supervision
Proper supervision is about more than just watching your child; it involves knowing them well enough to recognize when something is off, like when they’re not feeling well or acting out of character. Effective supervision also means understanding their interests, favorite toys, and developmental progress. Ask about teacher-to-child ratios to ensure that your child will receive the attention they need.

Written Guidelines
Before your child’s first day, you should receive a list of the daycare’s procedures and policies. This will help you understand what to expect from the daycare and what is expected of you as a parent. Clear guidelines help protect everyone involved, especially your child.

Empathy & Compassion
Lastly, empathy, love, and compassion are critical for your child’s emotional development. Your child should feel safe, happy, and encouraged to explore their interests at daycare. When the daycare staff genuinely cares about your child, you can feel confident that your little one is in good hands.