Daycare Centers

The childcare choice for the vast majority of today’s working parents is daycare. Daycare centers make finding childcare for your child very simple. Following are some of the advantages to using a daycare center for your child while you’re at work:

• Daycare centers have convenient hours – most are open for about 12 hours daily.

• When your child attends daycare, you don’t have to find a backup sitter because your regular sitter is sick or takes vacation.

• Daycare centers have learning curriculums.

• Daycare centers are affordable for most families.

There are also a few disadvantages to using daycare for your child’s care:

• Daycare centers are not typically open at night or on weekends.

• Daycare centers take care of large numbers of children, leaving your child more exposed to germs.

• Because of the large number of children attending daycare, your child may not get the individual attention he would get with a nanny or in a small home daycare.

If you decide to put your child in a daycare center while you work, there are some things you should look for to ensure that the facility will provide a safe and nurturing environment for your child.

Is the facility clean?
What is the teacher/child ratio in your child’s classroom?
Is the facility locked during business hours to prevent people from wandering in from off the streets?
Does the school have a website with classroom monitoring that allows you to see your child’s classroom from work?
What is the average turnover of the staff?
Is the school accredited by any national or state organizations?
Are the teachers certified?
Does the staff know CPR and other basic emergency procedures?
How long has the current director been employed at the school?
What is the school’s policy on sick children?