Placing your little one in daycare isn’t a decision to take lightly. After all, you want your child to grow and thrive when you’re not able to be with them. You’ll need to be proactive about visiting potential daycares – and asking the right questions.
What attributes should you look for in an Oak Hill childcare center? Read on to find out!
Check Licensing
Every Oak Hill childcare guide will tell you to check the licensing and accreditation of a potential daycare center. You want to be confident that your child is under the care of a team that:
- Follows mandated state guidelines
- Conducts background checks on employees
- Has accreditation from a nationally recognized organization
All states will have guidelines regarding ratios for teachers to children, for instance. And childcare centers will need to meet other rigorous state guidelines to keep operating. It’s fair to ask a prospective daycare center about the process they undergo to stay licensed.
Additionally, ask if the daycare conducts background checks on employees. You don’t want to entrust your child’s care to just anyone. Employees should have clean records.
And finally, make sure the daycare has broader recognition from a national entity. Organizations include the National Association for the Education of Young Children or the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs.
Ask About Safety Precautions
Safety measures are essential when you’re letting others care for your children. Make sure to tour every daycare and ask the director what security features are in place. A quality daycare center will have:
- Secure entrances with access codes
- Gates or fences around outdoor spaces
- Established protocol to track attendance
Look for a daycare with baby gates at all entrances and secure front access. Only parents or guardians registered in the daycare’s system should be allowed to enter the center. Likewise, outdoor playspaces should have tall fences and gates to prevent outsiders from gaining access.
Ask how a potential daycare prefers to communicate with parents, too. For instance, some daycares may use an app to enable regular interactions between parents and staff. Other daycares may send pictures throughout the day or offer video access.
Check Staff Training Measures
The best childcare in Oak Hill will have qualified, trained staff. When you tour a daycare, you can ask a director or teacher what staff training looks like. All staff should:
- Be CPR certified
- Have child development education
- Know proper health and safety measures
- Pursue ongoing training
Staff should know first aid techniques and have emergency preparedness skills to ensure the safety of your little one. They also should undergo regular training in educational techniques that are age-appropriate for your child.
Further, staff should know how to handle little ones with big emotions and engage children. When touring a center, pay attention to how staff members interact with little ones. They should demonstrate patience and care as they handle each child.
Understand Curriculum Goals
Another one of the best Oak Hill daycare tips is to ask about a potential daycare’s educational philosophy. For example, they may prioritize:
- Play-based learning
- Holistic development
- Lesson planning
Daycare represents an excellent opportunity for your child to develop social skills and gain comfort around other people. Even if your child is barely entering toddlerhood, their mind is a sponge. You want them to develop as much as they can, and the daycare center should be able to articulate what each age level will be doing.
Look at the Space
A quality daycare center starts with a dedicated staff. But the resources within the center itself are important, too. You want to send your little one to a clean, comfortable space where they can enjoy their time.
Take a tour of any potential daycares before enrolling your child. Make sure the daycare you’re considering offers:
- Clean indoor play spaces
- Secure outdoor play areas
- Ample toys and books
Indoor spaces should have plenty of floor space for little ones to toddle around or crawl. They should be equipped with toys like play kitchens and balance bikes. And they should have books and dolls for more focused, individualized play.
Outdoor spaces should have age-appropriate climbing options or sandboxes. They also may have water tables and other activities suitable for summer fun.
Read Reviews
When you search online for family childcare Oak Hill, you want to find centers that have earned the approval of other parents. A reputable daycare will have:
- A professional and detailed website
- Strong reviews in search engine results
- Good reviews in social media parenting groups
You can start the vetting process for a potential daycare by checking out search engine reviews. Be wary of daycares without many reviews, as they may be inexperienced. And, of course, steer clear of daycares with recurring negative reviews.
Check parenting groups on social media sites, as well. Often these groups will be a good source of honest perspectives on daycares. In many instances, you can ask questions and converse about a given daycare in these groups.
Know the Schedule
Finally, when looking at Oak Hill childcare options, you’ll want a center with the hours to accommodate your schedule. Look for a center that has:
- Full-time or part-time options
- Holiday policies
- Extended hours that meet your needs
- Clear explanations of penalties for lateness
If you work a 12-hour shift, for instance, you may not be able to pick up your child by 6:00 every night. As a result, you may need to choose a center with longer hours or weekend availability.
Aim to choose a center with a clear explanation of policies regarding holidays and lateness, too. Some centers charge for every minute of lateness in picking up a child. The center should have a parent handbook that details their policies.
Choose the Right Oak Hill Childcare Center
A quality Oak Hill Childcare center will have trained staff and a secure facility. Look for a daycare with lots of positive reviews and quality indoor and outdoor spaces for your child. A daycare center also should offer the flexibility you need for coverage.
At Happy Bunnies Child Care School, we bring international experience to our childcare center in Austin. We want children to find a home away from home when they’re in our care. Contact us today to learn more!
