A place where a child receives care is essential to their growth and development. Parents often spend ample resources and time researching the best childcare options near them. When you’re looking for a childcare provider, there’s a lot to consider. Location, cost, approach, and qualifications are just a few of the factors that parents put on their list. Here’s a short guide to what you should keep in mind as you weigh your options.
1. You and your child should feel at home.
First and foremost, you and your child should feel comfortable, both with the physical space and with the staff. Before you visit the location, see if the website showcases pictures or a virtual tour so that you can envision the space. When you enter the facility, it should be clean, colorful, and well-organized. As you look around, keep an eye out for adults interacting with infants and children on the floor. Caretakers who make a concerted effort to relate to a child on his or her level show empathy and awareness. Watch how your child interacts with staff and with the space. Does she look at ease? Does he look eager to engage with others? Your child’s comfort should be paramount as you consider your childcare provider.
2. The philosophy and curriculum should resonate with you.
When you’re considering a preschool for your child, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the many options that exist in childcare. Some locations have a specific focus or guiding philosophy. You may be researching Montessori schools, Reggio Emilia schools, or academically-focused preschools that prioritize S.T.E.A.M. activities. It can be difficult to sort through all the possibilities to find an approach that works for your child.
Rather than narrowing your search down to a particular philosophy, consider looking for a school that combines several approaches. A dynamic, responsive preschool will build its curriculum around the latest research. A school that is able to fluidly provide the latest in innovative pedagogy to students will be more helpful than one tied to a single method. Look for a school that combines some or all of these approaches for a well-rounded, diverse preschool experience.
3. There’s ample time for open-ended play.
Caretaking for young children should strike a balance between a gentle introduction to academics and plenty of time for both indoor and outdoor play. Unstructured play time has a huge effect on a child’s brain, helping them retain, organize, and store information. When kids engage in imaginative play with their peers or partake in physical play, both their brains and their bodies benefit.
At the same time, you want to make sure a school is introducing academic concepts early to help promote kindergarten readiness. When visiting a childcare location, be on the lookout for a wide variety of toys, curriculum materials, manipulatives, and colorful, educational decorations and decor. Kids pick up on what is around them, and there’s a reason many nurseries are decorated with the alphabet and numbers. Children surrounded by letters and numbers are more likely to recognize them when they begin reading and counting. Even passive exposure to them during the early infant years can make a difference in reading fluency and confidence.
4. The childcare provider is safe, secure, and clean.
As a parent, you want to know that when you drop a child off, you can feel certain that your child is in a safe space, both physically and emotionally. Childcare facilities should provide a two-tier level of security for visitors entering the space, and parents should be able to view each individual classroom from monitors in the front lobby. To ensure protocols are in place to keep your little ones healthy, make a point of asking how often classrooms are cleaned and what cleaning products are being used. Finally, your child’s care provider should have strong community partnerships with local fire and police departments. In case of an emergency, a preexisting relationship will build trust and reassure children.
A Warm and Welcoming Community
The Gardner School provides unparalleled care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our degreed and highly qualified teachers understand child development and how to help kids feel comfortable in every situation. By providing the best possible preparation for kindergarten and plenty of time for play, The Gardner School takes a balanced approach to education, growth, and development. Schedule a tour to visit us today!