I have often been asked by friends and family over the years what they should look for when choosing child care as they know I have been in the profession for over 20 years now.
I have worked in both as a qualified educator but I have also approached them from the perspective of a parent who wants the best care for their child and I know what an emotional experience it can be.
12 things to consider when choosing centre based care for your child.
Staff that smile at you or acknowledge you in some way as you walk in the door. Better still, they actually stop and talk to you or introduce themselves or you see them greeting each other warmly or laughing amongst themselves. I know most people will say seeing happy children is at the top of their list but personally I always look at the staff faces. If they aren't happy then trust me the kids aren't that happy either. Child care is a tough work environment and woefully underpaid, you have to really love children and your workplace to be able to offer the best care.
As you walk in look around and ask yourself how you feel, what you hear, what you smell, what you want to do. Sounds silly but a parent's instinct is a powerful force and if you feel safe and welcome and a little bit excited then chances are your child will too. If you are overwhelmed, scared or frustrated then your child will probably feel the same way.
As you are shown around the centre (and you should be shown around without feeling like a nuisance by the way) take notice of the different rooms and the behaviour of the children. Is there a lot of hitting and shouting? Is there an educator in each room engaged in play and learning with the children? Are they coming down to the child's level to talk and play? If not why not? Are there children crying or trying to seek attention continuously? Children will show this sort of attention seeking behaviour if bored or not feeling as though they belong in their space or are being listened to.
Don't just look at the room, ask to see the toilets too. Are they clean? Are the children being supported to toilet train or progress in their toileting, is the nappy change area clean, are the toilets relatively free from clutter? Is there a toilet training/nappy changing policy you could read through? Do they have expectations around ages and level of toileting independance?
Are there enough staff? Seriously. Often there isn't and that is a fact. Ask who will be in your child's room and the qualifications they hold and how many children are booked into the room. Is this the correct government approved ratio?
If the service provides meals ask to see a sample menu. Is it nutritious and appropriate? Are there allowances made for allergies and those children that prefer to bring their own lunch/snacks?
Is there an educational program of play and learning somewhere in the room and accessible to parents? Do you see individual children's needs being met as you glance around the room?
Ask about the routine…children like flexibility but they also need structure and planning to feel confident about their environment and what is expected of them.
Is the furniture throughout the centre clean, stable and safe? Are the toys and other resources in good condition?
Is there access to toys and materials on low shelving for children to explore and make their own choices or are toys all packed away in boxes and only a few things put out at a time?
Are there natural resources and open ended materials available? Don't make the mistake of thinking something needs to be new, bright or plastic to be good. Some of the best play experiences occur with older toys and resources that have been well looked after over the years.
They just need to be safe…well loved is wonderful! Treasures from the thrift and op shops can also help children engage in real life play and exploration and model what they see happening with the same ‘tools' at home.
Make sure to look outside. I consider the outdoor environment just as important as the indoor spaces. Are there opportunities for children to explore natural elements and use all of their senses while also playing and challenging themselves on equipment?
Are there areas for quiet spaces as well as active play and room for little imaginations to grow? The children should be spending a large amount of their time outside as part of a balanced early childhood program…don't underestimate the importance of this area.
If the area feels sparse or unloved or just has piles of metal climbing frames and planks packed into every space then I personally would be a little concerned about the vision of that centre and their commitment to quality outdoor play.
Please ask how the centre communicates with parents.I like to know how my child's day went, how I can extend her learning at home, how I can be involved in her day even though I wasn't there. Are there communication books, newsletters, portfolios, emails, photos, an emphasis on verbal communication, good communication systems between early and late staff or do you only find out about your child's day if you can get there in time to see the room staff? What is their preferred system, does this work for you?
Most centres run to a 12 hour day which means that often there will be early shift staff and late shift staff. Ask whether the roster changes each week or whether the early/late shift is always staffed by the same educators. This is important because if you drop off to the centre early or pick up late it is much easier for you (and your child) to see a familiar face at these important times rather than someone different each day or week. Also a good idea to ask other parents or the director about the centre staff retention rates…high turnover of staff in one room or across the whole centre often means it is not a happy environment.
Ask them how they involve children with high or special needs into their service. How do they include those with behavioural challenges or developmental delays? Ask about what is important to you as a parent. For me I needed to know the centre understood the challenges of a child with sensory processing difficulties. Some directors looked at me like I was a nutter when I mentioned Ruby's sensory needs…others were passionate about the subject and shared their strategies and thoughts freely.
Don't be swayed by bright colours, fancy brochures and lots of talk. See with your own eyes, ask questions and make an informed choice. You will no doubt be forming a relationship with your child's centre for a few years to come (and you are also paying a lot for this service)so you have the right to ask questions and receive answers.
All photos were taken in the twins new preschool room and outdoor space at Friends Child Care Centre…..I knew I wanted my girls here as soon as I saw the environment and talked with staff! It's a special place full of inspiration and happy staff and kids…and it was worth the search, yours will be too!
Do you have any tips or questions you ask when choosing a child care centre?
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Great list and there new child care looks fantastic
Thanks Karen, it is lovely and has helped me to loosen the reins on them a little lol!
Such great tips Jode, and such a good way to consider child care!
Helpful tips Jodie. I would have benefited from reading them when I was researching child care centres. It sux in the city that you have to put your name down at around six or more different places and accept whatever comes up because you’re lucky to get anything.
Jodie that was a pleasure to read, well done. Lee
Great tips, Jodie, so many valuable points for parents to consider.
Great list, loved the beautiful pictures. Looks like a truly amazing place to learn and play.
Thank you for this lst. I’ve recently been concerned about the high turnover rate at my sons daycare as well as the fact that the teachers don’t greet me when I bring him in…only say hi to him and it’s like pulling teeth to get them to talk or tell me about his day. I suppose if I’m wondering if it’s the right place it’s probably not.
One of my pet hates is staff not greeting parents and telling them a little about their child’s day. Parent communication should be of the highest importance and you have a right to get it since you are paying for this service! I’d go with your gut Krishna because in all honesty if you do not feel welcome there it is likely your son often feels the same way x
You mentioned that you should check the outside environment, as having a great place for children to explore and grow is very important when choosing a child care facility. I’ve been trying to find a good child care program for my daughter, and I’ve been interested in what makes a good service. I’ll definitely look for one that provides good activities outdoors, as I want my daughter to learn to love the outdoors like I do.
That’s great Dennis – I definitely think it is an important for the outdoor program to have as much importance placed on it as a indoor program. good luck in your search!
I like your idea to look for staff that make an effort to smile and acknowledge those who enter the room. It’s important that you get a good impression of the staff and their personalities at a daycare. That way, you will better be able to identify if the child care program is something that your child will respond well to.
This is some really good information about child care. I liked that you pointed out that you should take a look at the way the children act. My sister is going to need a daycare soon for my nephew. He is pretty shy so I would like him to go to a daycare that has really friendly children and the staff there.
Thanks for your comment about how you should look into a child care centre that has experienced caregivers and teachers. I also like how you said that they should have a positive environment. My husband and I are considering looking into child care facilities for our twin sons once we start working again.
You make a great point that when choosing a child care center you should take a tour around the center and see if there is an educator in each room who is engaged and playing with the children. I am looking for a child care center for my daughter and she is pretty shy, so I want to find a center that can help her engage with the children and the teacher in simple and meaningful ways. Also, I will make sure to look at the cleanliness of the facility!
My wife and I are thinking about putting our son in daycare this summer, so thanks for sharing this. I like your point about checking out the education center to see how the kids react and if there are enough adults present. I’ll be sure to check this out so I know my son will get the attention he needs.
I like that tip to check toilets. You can get a sense of their potty training like that. My wife wants to go back to work, so I’m looking for a daycare for our daughter now.
We’re looking for a childcare option for my son, so this is great. I’ll be sure to check and see how the kids all act when we take tours, like you said. I want him to be comfortable and happy in a safe environment, not a crazy one!
I have recently been looking into finding a daycare for my kids. I really appreciated the tip about if there is enough staff. I think making sure there is correct government approved ration is critical.
You make a good point that you should ask about the things that are important to you as a parent like with things like high or special needs. My daughter is old enough now that I think it would be good for her to start interacting with other kids her age, and I need to get back to the busy schedule I had before I had her. She doesn’t have any special needs, but I think that it would still be a good idea to ask any child care centre I try things like that.
I really like the tip to ask about the routine of the daycare, especially since kids benefit from a constant routine and consistent environment. My wife and I have been trying to find a new daycare for our daughter since we are both going back to work. I will be sure to ask about the day to day routine of the daycare before we make our decision!
My brother and his wife have run into some financial difficulty, so his wife needs to return to the workforce. Because of this, they have been looking for a good daycare for their son, Carter. I like how you mentioned to visit potential childcare centers and see how it makes you feel, as your child will most likely feel the same way. Thank you so much for the helpful tips on how to choose a childcare facility.
I hope your brother finds the information helpful – it can be such a huge decision I know!
I like how you suggested asking for a sample menu for meals at daycare. I want to find a daycare center for my toddler that caters to healthy lifestyles. Thanks for the tips on choosing a quality child care center.
I totally agree that how a child care center communicates with parents is super important. The anxiety of sending my son Charlie is real. It would be really important that communication is great for my potential child care center.
One of my friends may need to return to work, so she could use some tips for choosing a child care center. It was helpful when you mentioned to visit child care centers and see if the children feel scared or overwhelmed. These tips could help my friend find a great child care service, so thank you for sharing them.
I’ve been planning to look for a daycare center that can take care of my child whilst I’m at work. I guess you’re right; before choosing a facility, I must observe first the different rooms and the children’s behavior. I also keep in mind to check if individual children’s needs are being met.