Deciding to place your children in daycare isn’t an easy one. If it were up to you, you’d keep them at home or with a relative who you trust. Unfortunately, these options aren’t always available to you.
One of the hardest things you’ll have to do is leave your children with people you don’t know. You leave your children in the hands of strangers, and you must trust that they’ll take good care of your little ones as if they were their own. This process is difficult, but we’re here to help.
Finding a daycare near Manchester CT that’s right for your family will take some time, but you can have some peace of mind knowing that you’ve found the right one for your children. How do you get this peace of mind, though?
Below is our guide on how to choose a reputable, professional, and caring daycare for your children. Continue reading to learn more.
Check for Required Licenses
Any daycare near Manchester CT should have their licenses. There are specific requirements that a daycare facility must meet to acquire these licenses. If the daycare meets all of the requirements, then they’ll have no problem attainting their proper licenses.
Be sure the daycare you choose to send your children to has all the necessary state licenses to operate as a daycare facility. You can look up this information online, or you can ask the daycare to show you the licenses in person.
When shown the licenses, check that the dates are current.
Search for Reviews and References
If parents are unhappy with the type of care their children receive while in daycare, they’ll talk about it online. These parents will want other parents to know about specific issues to prevent the same thing happening to them. Before you place your children in a daycare facility, search for reviews and references.
You can do a quick online search to see what people are saying about the daycare, and you can ask the daycare to provide you with a few references that you can call. Call the references and ask them about all the good and bad things about the facility.
Speak With Them About Daycare Policies
Each daycare has its own policies that it follows. Some of the policies will be the same with all daycares in Manchester CT as they must follow specific state and local laws. Other policies will be specific to the daycare.
Ask the daycare about these policies, which might include pick-up and drop-off times, an open-door policy, and more. You want to find a daycare with hours that’ll work well with your work schedule. You also might want a daycare that allows you to pop in when desired.
Know what their sick policies are as well. What symptoms require a child who stays at home? What will cause the daycare to call you to pick your children up?
If a child is injured, will a parent receive a phone call and an accident report? What are the teacher/child ratios per each age group?
Have a clear understanding of all policies in place.
Ask Them About the Curriculum
Not all daycares have an educational curriculum in place. If this is important to you, then you should ask the daycare if they offer one. If the daycare does follow a curriculum, then be sure to know what all that curriculum entails.
Is there a reading center, a free-play center, a space for outside play, and more? How will the daycare teachers teach your little ones and prepare them for their next stages in life? If a curriculum is offered, ask the daycare to provide you with a print out of it for you to review at home.
Ensure All Staff Has the Right Credentials
The daycare itself should have proper licenses, but the staff also needs to have all of their individual credentials. What credentials does the staff have, and is proof of credentials posted in the office or each room?
Is the staff fully trained in emergency events? Do they have their first aid and CPR credentials and other educational credentials? Be sure to ask the daycare these questions and get proof of it as well.
Know What the Schedule Is Like
Aside from the curriculum schedule, there’s an overall daycare schedule that’s followed as well. This schedule includes the drop-off and pick-up times, opening and closing hours, breakfast hours, lunchtimes, snack times, outdoor play, nap time, and more.
Ask the daycare to give you a printout of this schedule as well. You’ll want to know what times your children are eating certain meals and napping because you’ll see them want to stick with this schedule at home as well.
If you know what schedule they follow at daycare, then you can keep them on this schedule during the weekends and make it easier for the entire family.
Consider the Cleanliness and Safety Practices
It’s essential that you get a tour of any facility before choosing the right one for your family. During your scheduled visit, be sure to look out for and ask about cleaning and safety practices. How is the daycare cleaned and maintained throughout the day?
What safety measures are taken, or what practices are followed to ensure all children remain safe throughout the day? If you see anything that’s concerning to you, don’t hesitate to ask about it.
You want your children to be in a clean and safe environment each day.
Have You Found the Perfect Daycare Near Manchester CT for Your Children?
Are you still searching for the perfect daycare near Manchester CT for your family?
Schedule a tour with us today to get a feel for our facility and to have the opportunity to ask all and any questions you might have about placing your children in daycare!