According to data from Zippia, about 58% of working parents in the US rely on child care centers.
There are plenty of options out there, but you shouldn’t just send your child to the first child care center you find. Every parent wants the best for their child, so you should take the time to find a solution you’re happy with. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your child is in good hands.
In this guide, we’ll go over some key tips that will help you find the best child care in Austin. Let’s get started.
1. Make a List
You can start thinking about day care and child care long before you need it. Doing so will help you find a suitable choice with plenty of time to spare.
Look into the child care centers in your area and make a list of the different options. Think about their locations in relation to your own home to make sure pick-ups and drop-offs will be easy enough. This will help you rule out any that aren’t feasible.
When you have a list of all the potential options, you can start looking in more detail.
2. Consider Reviews and Recommendations
If you have friends or family who have sent their children to any child care centers in your area, ask them for recommendations. They may be able to give you a good idea of what they experienced, and this could help your decision.
If you’ve joined any baby groups or classes, you could also ask in these. Some of the parents will likely have children the same age as yours, so they may be looking too, but anyone who has older children could already have good insights.
You should also look at reviews for different centers. Any that have a lot of negative reviews may be worth avoiding.
3. Compare the Pros and Cons
Based on the recommendations you get, you may have an idea of what different centers offer. For example, one may stand out for being very child-friendly, while another might have a focus on nurturing early learning.
Consider the pros and cons of each, and you can weigh them up against each other. Look at locations in more detail, so you can make comparisons on things like:
- Location
- Fees
- Qualifications
- Reviews
From these comparisons, you may be able to further narrow your list down so it consists of the best options.
4. Visit the Settings
Now that you have a few key choices, you should visit them in person. You should be able to contact them and organize a visit with ease, and this is one of the most important parts of your selection. There are certain things you want to keep an eye out for on your visit.
Cleanliness is key. Look at different areas, including:
- Main rooms
- Toilets
- Kitchen
- Outside
You want to make sure your child is in a sanitary environment.
Additionally, you want to get a feel for the overall atmosphere. How engaged are the children, and are they enjoying being there? Is the environment calm or chaotic, and how well does it seem to be organized?
No one knows your child better than you do. Take this opportunity to determine which of these environments suits them and will help them thrive. You want to base this on the environment itself as well as the other children and the employees.
5. Observe the Employees and Ask About Credentials
The employees themselves will have the biggest impact on your child’s experience. They’re responsible for the care and education of all the children at a center, so you want to make sure they’re suitable.
Look at how they engage with the children. Do they simply supervise them, or do they actively interact with them? Do they engage in conversation, and how do they speak to the children?
You should also pay attention to how the employees interact with one another and the general attitude they take to their work. On top of this, enquire about their credentials. Certain qualifications like degrees can be ideal, but you could also ask about things like first aid certificates and background checks to get a better idea of the kinds of employees a center seeks out.
6. Ask Plenty of Questions
You may feel like you’re nagging or demanding too much, but it’s important to know as much as you can about a child care center before committing to it. You’ll get plenty of information from the website, the employees, and your tour, but there could still be plenty of aspects you’re unsure about.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some that could be worth considering include:
- How many children are there for each employee?
- What is your daily routine?
- Are there set activities or can children freely choose?
- Do you provide hot meals, and how do you cater to fussy eaters?
- What are your emergency procedures?
There can be many more, so don’t hesitate to ask about anything that you want to know.
7. Look Into the Safety and Security
Like many parents, finding safe child care is probably a priority to you. Make sure you enquire about the policies they have in place to keep children safe.
For example, signing in and out for children or allowing people other than parents to pick up the child. If they put a focus on safety and security, you’ll feel much happier about leaving your child in their care.
Look for a center that has high security standards. Controlled entry and CCTV are ideal. You also want to make sure you have control over who can pick up your child at all times.
Finding the Best Child Care in Austin
Ultimately, you need to think about exactly what you want to find the best child care in Austin. Consider the location, reviews, employees, security, and more to help you make the right choice.
Happy Bunnies is dedicated to providing the best level of care to every child. We provide a safe, nurturing environment that has garnered 5-star ratings on Google, Yelp, and Facebook from many of our happy clients. Book your tour of our center today!
