While you work, run errands, or plan a private getaway with your partner, daycare centers take care of your little one.

But choosing a daycare center isn’t easy. You need to find one that’s affordable yet high-quality, while also being near your home and safe for your child. There are many things to consider before choosing a daycare center for your infant, toddler, or preschooler. Here’s a comprehensive checklist.

Stellar Reviews

Research plays a vital role in your hunt. From online to in-person, find as many reviews and recommendations as you can. A good daycare center will always have positive word-of-mouth. Consider asking friends and family members about daycare services they’ve tried, read up online reviews, check out testimonials on websites, or consider asking parents you meet in the pediatrician’s waiting room!

You can also go through resources from credible children’s referral services and regulatory agencies.

Take a Tour

Once you’ve listed your choices, start visiting the facilities in person. We recommend you drop-by at the centers unannounced. You have to trust your gut if something seems wrong to you. Observe how the daycare’s staff treats the little ones, how they behave, interact, and communicate.

After the visits, narrow down your options by creating a pro/con list or by making a list of patterns that you observe across various facilities.

Ensure Accreditation

Three organizations run accreditations for infant daycare centers and afterschool programs across the US:

• National Accreditation Commission for the Early Care and Education Programs (NAC)
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)

The NAEYC has the most comprehensive list of daycare centers, but accreditation and licenses are not the most crucial factors for choosing a daycare facility. Other factors—such as pricing and location—must also be taken into account.

Caring, Stimulating Environment for Your Kid

A high-quality infant daycare facility must offer a relaxed, hygienic, and purposeful environment. Along with clean premises and well-maintained indoor/outdoor play areas, the staff should be culturally sensitive, inclusive, and responsive to your child’s needs. If you’re considering an afterschool daycare or a preschool kindergarten, ensure that the facility offers an interactive, varied learning curriculum and educational resources.

Safety

Ensuring the safety of your infant when choosing a daycare facility is a no brainer. Excellent daycare services go above and beyond to ensure children’s well-being and safety. From food safety, childproofing, and indoor air quality, to hygienic changing tables.

Moreover, your child must stay with the same caregiver for a year, because consistency is essential for your child’s comfort and cognitive development. Vigilant daycare facilities abide by the recommended ratios for daycare groups.

You don’t want to send your child to a place with inflexible, messy regulatory practices for emergencies.

Avail High Quality, Affordable Infant Child Care and After School Care Programs in Lenexa, KS

The Whole Child Development Center is a quality daycare service where your little one can grow to their full potential. Contact us today to arrange a tour to see our facility, services and learn more about active learning strategies!