Child Education Tips from a Devoted Mother

Posted on: 9 May 2017

As a single parent, it is important to surround yourself with support, and enrolling your child in a quality child care center lets you know that you have additional caregivers available who understand the importance of early childhood education. However, it is common to have many questions regarding how to determine if a prospective daycare program provides quality care. As you begin the process of choosing a child care center, use these tips to find one that fits your child's needs.

Consider the Location

Parents often face the dilemma of choosing a center that is either close to their home or nearby their workplace. Spend a few minutes thinking about how you will handle things such as sick days when you may need to pick them up early or whether or not your child may need to go to their program on your days off. If other people will be picking up your child, then you may also need to consider their proximity to the center. Selecting a location gives you a starting point for finding a child care program that offers you convenience, yet it should not be the only factor in your decision.

Ask About Staff Education and Training

High-quality child care centers take pride in having staff members that understand the importance of creating an environment that allows children to thrive. One way this mission is accomplished is by making sure that each member of the staff undergoes extensive training regarding safety practices along with the best methods for stimulating a child's development through learning experiences such as reading aloud and playing with educational toys.

Visit to Observe a Normal Day

While a child care staff member can answer many of your questions over the phone, the best way to check out a prospective center is to visit it on a normal day. When you do, ask to see your child's classroom so that you can see the environment in which they will be every day. You should see that it is clean, organized and has a happy hum of activity as the children learn and play.

Finding a program that you can trust to care for your child while you are away is a huge decision. However, you can quickly identify a quality program by simply asking a few questions and touring the center. Then, all you have to do is start getting your child excited about their first day by talking about their new center and taking them to meet their teachers.