| Many working families choose a commercial or | | | | by a specific age. Your center should reinforce good |
| individual day care center to care for their child during | | | | bathroom habits, including wiping, flushing and thoroughly |
| the workday. We've listed important aspects of a | | | | washing hands. Some centers also add brushing teeth |
| daycare center's environment to evaluate when | | | | to the regular routine. |
| making your choice: | | | | Napping. Most young children benefit from regularly |
| Staff to Child Ratio. This is the number of children each | | | | scheduled nap times during the day. Most centers will |
| staff member is responsible for. Most states regulate | | | | have young toddlers take a nap in the morning and |
| the minimum number of staff to child ratio. This will | | | | one in the afternoon. Older toddlers and preschool age |
| vary based on your state and the ages of the children. | | | | children may have one name in the afternoon after |
| An average guideline follows, but check with your | | | | lunch. Ask whether you are responsible for bringing |
| state department for what to expect in your area. | | | | bedding or if it is provided. In the latter case, your child |
| - An infant room will have one to four or six staff to | | | | should have his own dedicated linens that are |
| child ratio | | | | laundered each week. |
| - A young toddler room will have a one to six or eight | | | | Parent Visits. Parent visits should be welcomed |
| staff to child ratio | | | | throughout the day, whether announced or |
| - For 2s and 3s room, an eight to ten staff to child ratio | | | | unannounced. There should be observation windows |
| is average | | | | available for you to observe your child's day or you |
| - Children 4 and 5 years old average a one to ten | | | | should be welcomed into your child's classroom. |
| staff to child ratio | | | | Schedule. Hours of operation often play a key role in |
| Diaper Changing. There should be a dedicated area for | | | | whether a center is acceptable simply by default of |
| diaper changing, equipped with sanitary diaper pad | | | | being available when you need them to be. Some |
| covering, disposable gloves, wipes and diapers and a | | | | centers have two tuition schedules, one for standard |
| dedicated waste receptacle for waste that is emptied | | | | daycare (i.e. 9am - 4pm) and extended daycare (i.e. |
| on a regular schedule. | | | | 7am - 6pm). Ask what the late policy is, whether you |
| Sick Policy. Most daycare centers will require that a | | | | will have to pay on pick-up, if that payment must be in |
| child sent home with a fever or after a bout of nausea | | | | cash, etc. |
| or diarrhea be kept home for 24 hours. While it | | | | Safety and Peace of Mind. Does the center have |
| inconvenient for working parents, it is the safest | | | | controlled access, with locked doors after the usual |
| practice to prevent contagious illnesses from spreading | | | | drop-off times? There should be a sign-in/sign-out |
| within a classroom. Some centers may have a | | | | process to account for each child. When you register, |
| separate infirmary and onsite nurse or share the | | | | you should be asked to supply emergency contact |
| operating costs with other centers in the area. | | | | information for yourself and partner, two people who |
| Discipline, Biting and Dismissal Policies. Find out how the | | | | can be contacted and take your child if either of you |
| center handles discipline and what the process is for | | | | are not available. Some centers will also ask for an |
| misbehavior that affects other children, such as biting | | | | out-of-state emergency contact in the event of a |
| or hitting. As if there is an escalation process, what the | | | | regional emergency, like an earthquake. |
| coaching and dismissal policies are. You will want to | | | | Emergency Plan. If your area is prone to natural |
| know both sides in the event your child is the | | | | disasters like flooding or earthquakes, ask about your |
| aggressor or the victim. | | | | center's emergency plan - how they will notify parents, |
| Feeding. Some centers serve prepared food and | | | | where their evacuation location is, if there is a |
| some have families bring lunches and provide morning | | | | lockdown procedure. |
| and afternoon snacks. Find out if the daycare | | | | Daily Status Reports. A daily status report will give you |
| providers will heat up food in your child's lunches, if | | | | detailed information about your child's day, including |
| there is a refrigerator available, if they provide milk and | | | | feeding times, diaper changing information and activities |
| filtered water for drinking and what kinds of snacks | | | | during the day. This is especially important for infants |
| are served. | | | | and young toddlers. |
| Supervised Lunch and Snacktime. The center you | | | | Classrooms. Children love rooms that are bright, |
| choose should support your nutrition preferences and | | | | cheerful and full of visual stimulation created by |
| provide healthy options served in a clean, supervised | | | | creative artwork, children's projects and family pictures. |
| environment. Staff should use the opportunity to teach | | | | Classroom curriculum. Each classroom should be |
| manners and model good eating habits. Ask about the | | | | equipped with age appropriate activities, equipment and |
| center's policy on sharing food at the lunch table if your | | | | toys to stimulate your child's development in fine/gross |
| child has allergies. | | | | motor activities, sensory and cognitive skills, language |
| Toilet Training. Some centers will help potty train your | | | | development, number concepts, music and art. |
| child, others require that the child be fully potty trained | | | | |