Sending your child to a new child care centre can be stressful for both you and your child. Whether it’s your child’s first time in care or if they’re simply moving to a new centre, providing a safe and fun experience for them is likely your top priority. You’ll want to evaluate every centre carefully to make sure it fits your family’s needs. To get you started, here are four things that you should do when evaluating a child care centre.
Table of Contents
1. View the Website
The website of a centre is often the best place to start. If you aren’t sure of the URL of a centre, or want to see what centres are located nearest you, you could use Google, or a search engine of your choice. Just type in a query such as, “child care centre Sydney” and then check out the results.
Oftentimes, the website will have basic information such as location, hours of operation, photos of rooms, and ways to contact the management. There may also be reviews or testimonials from current families to help you gain a better feel for what the centre offers. Make note of anything that you really like as you peruse each page, or write down any questions that you think of. This will create a handy guide to help you on the next steps.
2. Read the Curriculum
Childcare centres that take in toddlers or older children typically offer a curriculum plan. For younger children, this may include basic skills like colour identification and learning to share. Older children may practise school readiness skills such as letter identification and beginning handwriting. The curriculum plans may be found on the centre’s website, but don’t worry if they’re not listed. You can always ask the centre directly about what curriculum they use and what it offers for each age level.
3. See the Grounds
Your child will be spending a lot of time at the centre, so it’s a great idea for you to get your eyes on the place as well. Photos on the website or social media are a good place to start, but it can’t quite compare to being there in person. Ask for a tour of your child’s room and any common areas. A quality centre should be happy to oblige you as long as it doesn’t disrupt the daily schedule.
While on the tour, take notice of the toys and activities in the room. Ask about hygenic facilities such as nappy changing areas, kitchens, and bathrooms. Pay attention to the playground and outdoor toys to make sure they look well-maintained and are age appropriate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions while on the tour either. This is where using the list of questions from your website visit can really come in handy.
4. Talk to the Staff
A final way to evaluate a child care centre is to talk to the staff. Ask to speak to your child’s future teacher about how they run their classroom. Find out what they love about working at the centre. If your child can come for a visit, watch how the staff interacts with your child. These things will give you clues about how your child will be treated, and can help you feel much more comfortable about enrolling them in the centre.
As a parent, evaluating a child care centre before enrolling your child is one of the smartest things you can do. Take the time to really check out each option, from what’s on their website to viewing the centre and speaking with staff in-person. Trust your instincts as well- if a centre seems like a great fit for your child, then chances are that it is. Young children can learn so much from attending a child care centre.
Once you’ve found the right place, you may be amazed by how much your child blooms and grows.