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How to Choose the Best Childcare Facility: Questions to Ask

One of the biggest choices a parent has to make is which daycare center to send their child to. Finding the best preschool in Silver Spring can be tricky for even the most experienced parent. The secret is to find one that offers the best care and supports your child’s developmental needs.

This is due to the fact that a baby’s early years are extremely important for brain development. Babies grow into toddlers and toddlers grow into preschoolers, so you want a facility that will help your child learn and grow no matter what age they are. The best childcare facilities will help your child learn how to form relationships with caregivers and other children, how to control their emotions, and so much more.

Questions to Ask When Choosing the Best Childcare Facility

Selecting the best childcare facility can be quite challenging. As you tour different facilities to help you make your decision, it’s important that you ask the right questions.

  1. Does the program have a license? And always ask to see a copy of the license.
  2. What is the ratio of kids to adults? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than three babies under 12 months old for every adult. With toddlers, one adult for every four children is recommended. The actual ratios vary by state, so look into your state laws before making your final choice.
  3. Have all the people working at the daycare been fingerprinted and had their state and national background checked?
  4. Is there always someone there who knows how to do CPR and first aid for kids?
  5. Is there a clear, written plan for what to do if a kid gets hurt, sick, or lost?
  6. What is the plan for dealing with disasters, such as fires and floods?
  7. Can parents randomly drop in to see their kids? If you can’t visit whenever you want without calling ahead, you should look for a different facility.
  8. Are kids always being watched, even when they’re sleeping? (Yes is the right answer.)
  9. Do you adhere to safe sleeping practices? Each baby should have their own sleeping area, be laid on their back on a firm surface covered with a fitted sheet, and there should be no other things in the crib. This is what safe sleep practices mean.
  10. Is there a written punishment strategy? You should find out the daycare’s official policy on dealing with behavior problems. For instance, does the policy make it clear that hitting is not allowed?

children having a good time playing at preschool in Silver Spring, MD

Questions to Ask Facilities About Policies and Procedures

To choose the best preschool in Silver Spring, MD, you need to understand its policies and procedures. The best way to learn about the facility’s policies and procedures is to ask questions while you are visiting.

  1. How much do you charge per month or per kid? When are payments due?? Can I get on the waitlist? Are there any deals that I can get?
  2. What are your rules about being absent or picking up kids late?
  3. What do you do when a kid is sick? What are your rules about immunizations?
  4. Do you drive to take kids anywhere/ If you go places, where do you tend to go? Ask to see the car, make sure it has insurance, and look at how the seats are set up.
  5. What do I need to bring to daycare with my child? Should I bring food, extra clothes, or something else?
  6. Can my child bring a special blanket or toy that they love? Do you have a safe place to keep your personal things? What do you do when something gets lost?
  7. How much notice do parents get if any of your rules change, like the cost of tuition?
  8. Are there clear steps for checking in and out?
  9. Do you offer potty training? What are your policies regarding diaper changing? Will you change all kids or only those under a certain age? Do you allow cloth diapers or only disposables?

Ask Questions About the Facilities Philosophy

Almost every childcare facility has a written philosophy that serves as a set of guidelines for instructing and tending to children. Before you start touring the facility, ask to see a copy of its philosophy. Read through it and make sure its values and beliefs align with yours.

  1. Do kids get to rest or take naps?
  2. Is there a set plan for each day? Does it include loud and quiet play, group learning and independent learning, rest, and meals?
  3. Are there different places to rest, play quietly, and play actively?
  4. Are there educational experiences offered for kids??
  5. What kinds of things will my child do throughout the day?
  6. What, when, and how many times will my kid eat during the day?
  7. What age ranges do you have at this facility? Do you put kids into groups based on their age? If so, where does my kid fit in?
  8. Do you use TVs, computers, or any other forms of technology? How often, if so?
  9. Is there a safe place to play outside? How often do you take the kids outside?
  10. How do the daycare workers let parents know how their kids are doing?

What is the Most Important Factor to Consider When Choosing Childcare?

Most childcare centers’ environments, plans, routines, and rules will be very similar. The most crucial thing to consider while choosing childcare is your family’s particular needs and how the childcare facility can meet those needs.

Child and teacher.  playing at preschool in Silver Spring, MD

How Do I Find the Best Daycare?

When visiting a Silver Spring preschool always look at the caregiver-to-child ratio. With infants, you want one teacher for every two to three infants. For toddlers, you can look for one adult for every six kids. In reality, the more adults there are taking care of a group of kids, the better. The best daycare uses the same caregivers for the same children each day.

Final Thoughts on What to Consider When Choosing Childcare

If after visiting several childcare facilities you still feel like you haven’t found the best one, don’t give up. Even if you feel like you found the perfect one after visiting only one or two facilities, you should still visit a few more. This allows you to quickly compare the facilities before making your final choice. Additionally, don’t hesitate to follow up with questions as they come up. It never hurts to more questions because a great daycare also has open, honest, and consistent communication.

 

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