For working parents, balancing family and career isn’t impossible. But it can be difficult even when your kids are already in school. Youngsters need constant supervision. As such, they should not come home to an empty house after school.
Types of Day Care Facilities
Various options for school-age daycare for your child exist. For one, you can always leave your child in the care of a family member. In addition, some recreation centers, places of worship, and community learning centers may also offer daycare for school-aged children.
When it comes to commercial school-age daycare, you have two major options:
- Group daycare
These centers are usually state-licensed and run pretty similarly to a school. Children of different ages are usually cared for in groups. Group school-age daycare is a great option for your child as you’re assured of expert supervision and a nurturing, supportive environment for your child.
- In-home daycare
This option differs from group daycare in that it is run out of the providers’ homes. When choosing this type of school-age daycare, it’s important to consider how many kids are enrolled at the facility, as overcrowding may limit the quality of the services.
A good school-age daycare can offer significant advantages for you and your child, including a well-organized program geared to your child’s growth and development.
Tips for Choosing School-Age Daycare
Many daycare centers offer exceptional childcare expertise, providing your child with an environment where they will get valuable support and socialization. That said, having a license doesn’t necessarily mean a daycare is any good – it just means the center has satisfied the state’s minimum requirements.
So, here’s how you can ensure that your child gets the best care possible.
- Ask about the child-to-staff ratio. If it’s too high, then your child may not get the attention they need and deserve.
- Confirm the daily schedule with the caregivers. Ideally, it should include enrichment activities as well as homework support and the provision of a healthy meal or snack.
- Ask about the daycare center’s policies when school is out of session, for instance, during breaks or in the event of bad weather. This way, you can have a backup plan in case of an emergency.
- Inquire about the training of the staff. It’s always a good idea to ensure that you’re leaving your child in the care of qualified professionals.
Balancing childcare and your full-time job is nothing short of challenging. That’s why it’s crucial to find the right school-age daycare for your child. This way, you’re assured that your child is in safe and qualified hands at all times.
Contact The Learning Center
Contact us to learn more about our early childhood education programs in Windsor, South Windsor, and Manchester, CT. You may reach us at (860) 643-8639 or visit our contact page.