| One of the best ways to evaluate a daycare facility is | | | | Your child will be extremely embarrassed if they |
| to schedule an impromptu visit. Remember, most | | | | should have an accident in the childcare facility during |
| childcare providers will be well prepared for schedule | | | | their playtime. |
| visits. However, if you really want to see the way the | | | | Accountability is another thing to look for in a childcare |
| child care provider operates, you need to drop in. Even | | | | facility. If your childcare facility is located at your work, |
| if they will not allow you to tour the facility at that time, | | | | look for places where you can sneak a peek at your |
| you can schedule your visit then and get a feel for the | | | | child. Many centers are now offering internet-based |
| facility on a normal day. | | | | video monitoring systems so you can see your child's |
| There are some things you should check for when | | | | classroom whenever you are at your computer. This |
| evaluating childcare facilities. First, make sure that they | | | | not only ensures your child is safe, but it also gives you |
| require identification for those picking up children. In a | | | | piece of mind about leaving your child at the daycare |
| smaller center the teachers do get to know the | | | | center. |
| parents, so a photo ID is not required for pick up. But | | | | Talk to the teacher of the childcare center you are |
| when someone other than Mom or Dad is going to | | | | considering. You should feel comfortable with the |
| pick up the child, they should have an identification | | | | personality and temperament of this teacher. If not, |
| checking policy in place. | | | | then choose a different daycare center. |
| When you tour the facility, look around carefully. Make | | | | Finally, check to see that the childcare center has |
| sure that there are no problems that you can see in | | | | educational programs built into their routine. While small |
| child proofing. You need to find a childcare center that | | | | children need plenty of time for free play and social |
| carefully child proofs everything. Also, the center | | | | interaction, their minds need structured learning times |
| should be clean. There will be toys out that the children | | | | as well. See if you can look at sample papers or |
| are playing with, but obvious dirt and stains can be a | | | | worksheets that the children do, so that you can get |
| sign that the teachers and staff are not attentive to | | | | an idea of the things your children will be learning. If |
| cleaning spills quickly, which could expose your child to | | | | there is a curriculum, check it out! Even if you are not |
| germs and other problems. | | | | educationally trained, you should know if the curriculum |
| If you are seeking childcare for a child who is potty | | | | is quality or not. |
| training, check into the potty schedule. Make sure there | | | | With these tips, you can find an excellent child care |
| are set times every day that the children are taken to | | | | facility for your children. You will feel confident that |
| the restroom. Find out what the policy is about | | | | they are in a safe, structured environment while you |
| changing children who have accidents. Also, make sure | | | | are at work. When you pick them up, they will be |
| the children have continuous access to the bathroom. | | | | having fun and learning in their childcare facility. |