How to Choose the Best Daycare for your Infant
Your baby means the world to you and you want to make sure that they are well cared for when you can’t be there. Choosing a daycare center
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for your infant is one of the most important decisions you will make. The best daycares fill their open spots quickly, so it is a good idea to begin your daycare search during your pregnancy.
1.) Make a list of what you want. When thinking about daycare for your infant make of list in what you want from a daycare center. Consider the location, cost, and caregiver to child ratio. Knowing what your priorities are will help you narrow down the daycare options.
2.) Ask friends or family for advice. When looking for a daycare center, ask friends and family if they have any daycare recommendations. First hand reviews can tell you a lot about how a daycare center is operated.
3.) Tour different daycare centers. The best way to see how a daycare operates is by visiting the facility. If possible try to visit unannounced so you can see the real day-to-day workings of the center.
4.) Make a list of questions to ask. Having a list of questions will help you discover the basics of a daycare center, such as hours of operations, weekly cost, what kind of schedule they have for infants, and what their emergency procedures are.
5.) Inquire about the sick policy. Some daycare centers have a strict policy of not letting a child attend on a day that they are sick. This type of policy may impact your work schedule, but your child is more likely to stay healthy if not exposed to other sick babies. Weigh the pros and cons of each center’s sick policy.
6.) Ask about their curriculum. A baby is like a sponge and learns rapidly. Make sure the daycare center has age appropriate toys and planned activities.
7.) Check their license. Every daycare center is required to have a license from the state. Check their license to make sure they are following proper daycare procedures.
Related articles
- The Frustrations of Finding Appropriate Daycare (blogher.com)
- SmartChildGuide: A Great Website for Parents (prweb.com)
