What do you feel makes a quality program for children? (in daycare)?

Question

or in other words, what do you look for in a daycare when choosing one for your child?

Answer 1

A CARING CAREGIVER, CLEANLINESS ONE RECOMMENDED BY SOMEONE YOU TRUST

Answer 2

First, get recommendations from your friends.  Then call and set up visits with the centers.  Let them know you want to tour and observe how they work with the children.  Look for signs of cleanliness, loving and caring staff, happy children, ask what training they have had, trust your gut feelings......

I work in a center that is accreditated and has received the KQRS 5 star rating.  this means that we have been rated as an excellant center by professionals who have spent time rating us in every area of our center/curriculum.  Believe me it should make parents feel good about leaving your child because they are "tough" when it comes to meeting their strict requirements.  When you narrow your search to two or three, do pop-in visits to see if things are still being done the way they were when you visited.  Make sure you take your child with you to visit---what how they are greeted, talked to, etc.  Good luck.

Answer 3

I work in a daycare, AND I can honestly say that I will  NEVER EVER put my child in daycare. It is free for me to take my daughter ( who is 2) and it would  be $50.00 a week for my newborn.. but neigther of them will attend, because most daycares are over-placed ( with children) and understaffed, the legal limit for my class ( 2 year olds) is 11:1 ratio.. THAT OS HORRIBLE!! A place that has a running ratio for that age range of 5:1 is good.. I mean most of the workers there are ujderpaid and over worked, I have 22 kids in my class..... there is little time for a structured curriculum. There is ony enough ppl there to change diapers and make sure no one goes home wit hserious injuries!

Answer 4

Mom- trust your "gut" more than anything.  Check it out without the kids in "tow" and once again with them.

Don't rule out "old" schools, some are better than fancy ones.

I look for a CLEAN, standardized curriculum of education, play, rest, music and a diverse class with enough staff to "take care" of the kids in a daycare or a Mother's day out program.

I look for certification and prefer older teachers with young college kids as their aids. They seem to be the most nurturing and professional.

I want a written sheet of "what" my child did "today", including events (younger- the pee/poo output) what they learned and did.  I DO drop in at anytime several times prior to signing up or sending in money.

Also if they take drop IN care....ask if you can do that once a week, so you see if you like it.  It will save you lots of money.

I would use a church/private school over a public one, in my experience, they are more nurturing with the kids and compassion and manners are taught.

I loved the one my son is attending so much, I actually got a job there for this coming school year.

Best wishes

Answer 5

During the interview, ask lots of questions.  As a preschool teacher I love it when parents are curious.  If they seem annoyed by you asking lots of questions and wanting to be involved, then a little siren should go off in your head.  Any good director or teacher should want you to be curious and involved.  Look for something that fits your way of thinking.  There are a lot of programs out there, so you just got to start looking.  Happy hunting.  :-)

Answer 6

I prefer an in home day care, however in a new town I would be more apt to go to a center.  I look for Cleanliness, and my gut feeling about the caregiver FIRST and foremeost!!!  I also personally believe in lots of playtime........freetime, and story time, as well as decent meals.  The things we all look for will vary in what you /your child need for their personal growth.  I first and formost look for my childs safety, background checks and my gut feeling!! Good Luck!! Check references!!!

Answer 7

I have 3 kids, all way out of preschool. If your kid can talk, ask him if he likes it there. That was the biggest deciding factor for me. If my kid came home and said she hated it everyday, I found out why. When she was 3, I found out the owner's boyfriend hung out there all day and night. She told me this. Things changed after that.

After you find a good place, listen to your kid. That is the best thing you can do for them. Pay attention to what they say.

Answer 8

hmm, I can tell you this. It isn't pee wees play house, mister rogers, barney or any teltubbie.

maybe Bill Nye the science guy?

Call the child protective services about the school and the better business beauru for real.

Also talk to other parents from the daycare.

Answer 9

1. Trust your gut!

2. Drop in, do not schedule an appointment, you want to know what goes on when they aren't expecting you. (rude i know, but we're talking about our babies here)

3. Ask if they are NAEYC accredited.  Daycares and Preschools that pass additional testing and meet rigid requirements receive this certification.

4.  The nicer places usually have waiting lists.  For example if you call 10 places. and 1-9 all have waiting lists, and #10 says they have immediate openings.  Keep in mind there might be a reason why.