What do parents look for in DAYCARE CENTERS?

Question

Hey Everyone,

I've been wanting to open up a new modern/more secure daycare center in a town ive been living in for about 20 years now, however, i think I need some more input from the actual parents who utilize these facilities.

If you're a parent or anyone who utilizes a daycare center, could you tell me some of the most important things you look for in these facilities?

First impression aspects that you really keep an eye out for?

Anything that brings up red flags?

Type of staff (Age/look/personality) you like seeing working in daycares?

ANYTHING will help! Please only serious comments...Thanks!

Answer 1

sadly enough, the first thing a parent will consider is the cost.  bottom line.  they need daycare they can afford and they look for the best facility in their price range.

aside from the other answers you've received, parents will notice smells (especially baby/toddler/bathrooms), cleanliness, they'll check licensing records for violations, they'll interview teachers to see if they can interact well with them and the kids and speak properly.  they want bright, shiney, new looking and clean.

Answer 2

First- that the kids are engaged, and having fun!  

Then-

* The center appears clean and well kept (no obviously broken toys, shelving, or climbing structures.  Clean carpets and floors and counters.  Nothing glaringly wrong with the upkeep or building.

* Staff are affectionate and using appropriate language and have developmentally appropriate expectations of the kids.

* Age of staff really isn't a concern as long as they appear to know how to work with children.

* I want to know that the center:

- Does background checks including TB tests and fingerprinting on any person who works directly with the children,

- Has an open door policy: I can come check on my child whenever I like

- Is licensed- this is a must!  I won't even step into a center that is not licensed by the state.

-Does continuous trainings for their staff on all kinds of subjects related to child care (staff should keep abreast of the newest techniques)

*I look for a director who knows what she is talking about when it comes to child development: They have a B.A. or M.A. in child development, with years of experience as a teacher and a director.  

* I ask about the turnover rate of staff: this can tell you a lot about the center.  If there is extremely high turnover rates, then you know that the staff isn't happy for some reason.  High staff turnover often indicates low-paid staff, and lower paid staff often do not feel valued in the job they are doing... which can lead to less quality in the classroom.  High staff turnover also affects the children in their attachments, and it makes it difficult for children to trust the adults.

* I ask about staff to child ratios: a lower ratio in the classroom means that the children are getting better quality of care.  I look for classes that meet or exceed the NAEYC's guidelines for classroom sizes.

* I ask about the qualifications of the teachers: What level of degree or training do the teachers have to have to teach a class?  Are they allowed to teach after a certain time in the field?  Are they trained in Developmentally Appropriate Practices?  How do they get their curriculum (is it something they make up, or the same curriculum across the board for all teachers)?  

* What the discipline policy is: this can vary greatly from very strict, to more relaxed, based on the education and goals of the staff.  Some centers will not put up with a child who bites (even if it is developementally appropriate!), and they are out after two bites.  Other centers will work with your child on developing a plan to change the behavior.  I will always look for a center that will work with your child/family on modifying challenging behaviors, rather than ejecting a child.  Do the teachers use time-out excessively?  How are they trained in behavior modification techniques, or is it just however the staff can get through the day?  This often is a quick point of discussion that will either keep a center in the running, or eliminate them quickly.

* Classrooms look friendly and inviting: children's work is highlighted, and is the most prevalent decoration in the classroom.  I don't want to see Carson-Delosa pictures... I want to see my child's things.  And, if the toys/manipulatives are within reach, displayed nicely with tags, and appropriate for the age of the children.  For more standards and information on this, you can look at the ECERS: http://www.amazon.com/Early-Childhood-En...  

Answer 3

There kid/s.

Answer 4

I am a teacher and I used to also work at a daycare and I can tell you what I will probably look for based on my experiences.

1. Camera system. Doesn't have to record but I feel better knowing the director or the front of the school parents can watch their kids.

2. Some sort of accreditation NAEYC

3.  I would ask for teacher turn over so that means that you will need to choose your employees carefully and that also means that if you don't want employees to leave, pay a higher salary.

4. I look at the community. Daycare employees are typically underpaid and underappreciated. So, when touring a daycare, I want to see if they are happy and probalby ask how long they have wored there.

5. I look to see if it's clean - especially the bathrooms

6. Alot of activities, books and experiences...Rice Tables, Sandy Tables.

7. Is there an outdoor area? Does it have shade for the students.

8.  Academic curriculum if ther is one.

Answer 5

Kids that seem happy and in voledd in play or what is going on in the class

Well run classrooms/ not chaos/ kids wondering around

Nice hum in the class/ teacher voice not loudest in the class

Staff interacting w/ kids

toys that represent different cultures of centers i.e. food in house keeping

Children's art work around class

New/ unbroken toys

Clean/moderen

Range of options for kids/centers

Bright happy colors on wall/ lots of sunlight

Organized shelves/toys/not messy on shelf

Literacy rich environment

Pictures of staff  w/ name at entry  of center

Set of classroom rules/expectations around the room

Nice bullinten (sp) board

Classroom routines posted.events in the classroom, newsletter for week, theme in classroom and school etc

Mix of older and younger staff (speaks english fluently)

Staff nicely groomed

A good range of books/ comfy chairs beanbags etc

Computers in the class