As a parent, you want to give the best to your children – the best food, the best toys, the best environment, and the best childcare. With the growth of full-time working parents, the demand for childcare is rising and even exceeds the supply of providers nationwide1. Selecting the right childcare center can be a challenging process, as you want to ensure your child’s safety, health, development, and happiness while you’re away, but it is a significant decision to make and there are essential factors to consider when making this crucial decision.
In this blog, we'll walk you through what to look for when selecting a childcare center, and provide guidance to help you make an informed choice. Be sure to download the Questions to Ask During Your Center Tour included at the end of this blog.
Before delving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand the difference between a childcare center and a daycare center. For many people, “childcare center” and “daycare center” are used interchangeably, simply referring to the service or place to look after their kids. While the distinction between these two terms may seem insignificant to most people, it’s an important distinction for early childhood education (ECE) professionals.
No matter what a center is called (childcare center, daycare center, early learning center) you want to look for a center that can offer a structured educational program that puts children at the center instead of primarily focusing on providing supervision and basic care.
The first step in your search for a childcare center is to ensure that it is licensed and accredited. Licensing guarantees that the center adheres to state regulations and safety standards. Accreditation from organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) reflects a commitment to higher quality standards in ECE.
Every state has their own early childcare licensing standards and process, and you can utilize trustful websites operated by the government such as ChildCare.gov to search for licensed childcare providers in your state. You can also go to the website provided by your state to search for licensed childcare such as The Department of Early Education and Care in Massachusetts for MA licensed childcare centers. Most directories for childcare (e.g., Winnie, Care.com) indicate their licenses and accreditation. Be sure to check them out when you do your searching on these websites.
Childcare Centers should have their licensing information posted. Be sure to ask to see this during the tour.
Early childhood educators may even spend more time with your children than you do if you enroll your kids in a full-day childcare program. Knowledgeable and qualified staff play a pivotal role in your child’s development. When searching for a childcare center, you should look at their website for information on their staffing, especially on the qualifications and training of teachers and caregivers. If you can’t find this information online, always inquire about it during your center tour/visit.
Moreover, pay attention to the staff-to-child ratio and group size of the classroom, as a lower ratio and smaller group size often leads to more individualized attention and care for children. Staff-to-child ratio and group size requirements vary by state and type of program. However, here’s a recommended (ideal) staff-to-child ratio and group size for childcare centers advised by ChildCare.gov.
|
Ages |
Staff: Child Ratio |
Maximum Group Size |
|
Infants (younger than 12 months) |
1: 3 |
6 |
|
Toddlers (13 – 35 months) |
1: 4 |
8 |
|
Preschoolers (3 – 4 yrs) |
1: 7 |
14 |
|
Pre-K (4 – 5 yrs) |
1: 8 |
16 |
|
Kindergarteners (5 yrs) |
1: 8 |
16 |
|
School-age (6 yrs+) |
1: 10 or 1:12 |
20 or 25 |
*An additional question you may ask is the number of certified ECE staff members assigned to each group.
During your tour or visit, pay attention to children’s snacks and meals (if offered) to get a sense of the nutrition provided by the center. Serving healthy snacks and meals can help children grow healthy and strong and develop good eating habits. It is also important that educators sit with children during mealtimes as this is the perfect time to engage children in conversation about healthy nutritional habits.
A well-rounded curriculum is essential for your child's intellectual and emotional growth. Most childcare centers adopt at least one curriculum framework or approach, so ask about their educational philosophy, curriculum plan, and opportunities to support emotional intelligence and social growth. A good early childhood curriculum should consider the main child development domains including:
Most centers share their curriculum and lesson plans with parents and post them in the classroom. Make sure you check them out!
As a former early childhood educator, I acknowledge that it can be challenging to take young children outside – from sunscreen to mittens and circle time to snack, a trip outdoors could feel like a hassle. However, outdoor play is essential for healthy development as it involves running, climbing, observing, negotiating and communicating, skills all important for children’s physical and mental development. Who doesn’t want more fresh air, fun and exploration?
During your tour, observe how teachers interact with the children. Do they respond and react in a calm tone? Do they crouch down to talk to kids at the same level? Do they proactively intervene in children’s conflicts? Do they encourage children to play with and talk to each other? Adults are key socializers for children’s development, and you won’t want your kids to miss out on opportunities to be socialized with adult guidance.
At Housman Institute, we believe that EI should not just be taught through planned curricular activities, but it should also be a philosophy and approach adopted by a center to weave into their daily lessons, activities, and interactions with children and family. Thus, asking about EI-related professional development training teachers receive is another way to understand how a center positions EI in their approach.
A center that involves family frequently in their curriculum planning and events can help bring the family and culture components into the community. If you see family involvement from your research or center tour, this is a good indicator of a childcare center you should consider.
Thank you for reading all the way through the last but important point! A good childcare center should be inclusive and diverse, reflecting the real-world environment your child will grow up in. Looking for local centers that are around your neighborhood is a good first step.
Related: 8 ways to make your classroom culturally inclusive
If you don’t feel comfortable during your tour or visit, explore those feelings further. Your comfort and intuition are valuable indicators when selecting care for your children!
Choosing a childcare center is a big decision if you decide to seek childcare support for your child, but it's important to take the time to find the right one for your child. By considering the 10 points listed in this blog, you can be sure to choose a center that will provide your child with a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment that can support their cognitive, social and emotional development.