How to Choose a Quality Childcare Center: What Parents Should Look For
Sending your little one off to daycare for the first time is often scary—but it shouldn’t be! Having the proper tools in your belt will help you better prepare for your child’s first day, and give you some much needed peace of mind.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when searching for childcare.
Make sure whichever program you’re interested in has an active license with Community Care Licensing. Even in-home family childcare centers (FCCs) should be licensed!
Always ask about employee screening policies. All program employees, including support staff (custodians, kitchen staff, and classroom aides) need to be cleared using Livescan. Additionally, anyone working in a licensed care facility needs to have a current TB test and up-to-date immunizations.
Ask about CPR and first aid certifications. Site directors are required to be CPR certified, but it’s ideal for classroom staff to also be certified.
What are the class sizes and teacher to student ratios? For infants, the legal ratio is 1:4, and the requirement for toddlers is 1:6 (preschool age is 1:12 and school-age is 1:14). An ideal class size for infant and toddler care is less than 12 children in one room. This allows for intimate and personalized care for each child.
Check that the center philosophy aligns with your beliefs. Whether it’s a Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, or traditional thematic center, you’ll want to feel confident that the teachers’ practices are right for your family’s needs and expectations.
Is it affordable? If you find a center that you love, but are worried about the cost, ask about subsidies! In Contra Costa County specifically, CoCoKids and Stage II work closely with many quality childcare centers.
What is included in your tuition? It’s common that great programs will offer a food service, cot/crib bedding, milk, diapers/wipes, formula, or other services to help take the load off of busy families.
Ask about school-home communication. Does the center use an app or other digital methods to communicate with families? Do they send home physical notes at the end of each day? Or is your child’s daily care a mystery?
If you still need support in finding the best care for your little one, click here!
