If you are taking your child to day care, then you may feel as though there are a lot of unknowns. You might not know what to expect or even how the whole process works. Either way, you have to know that this is completely normal and that there are a few things that you can do to make sure that the one you’ve chosen is right for your needs.
Open Communication
Parents should always feel as though they can talk with their provider about any issues that they might have. The provider should be open and honest, and they should also be more than willing to discuss any possible solutions too. If you don’t feel as though you can talk with the provider you have right now, then this is a sign that the day care you’ve chosen isn’t the right one for you.
Insurance
Every single day care you visit should have daycare liability insurance. If they don’t then this is a strong indicator that they don’t care about their business as much as they should, and therefore should be avoided. If you’re not sure if a provider has this type of insurance, then don’t be afraid to ask them. This is the best way for you to find out everything you need to know, and it can also help you to feel confident and at ease.
Cleanliness and Safety
Your provider should always have a clean and organized space for your child. The space should have ample room for your child to play around with while also being safe and free from any hazards. Any home or centre should be smoke-free and it’s also a good idea to make sure that the staff who work there have passed a background check.
Open Door Policy
As a parent, you should be welcomed into the centre at any time during main hours. A lot of providers lock the main doors during the day purely for safety reasons, but as a parent, you have the right to visit at any time you want. Sure, a provider may ask you to call in advance so that they can anticipate your arrival, but other than that, there should be zero restrictions.
Respect
Your provider should always be respectful of your role as a parent and they should also have no influence in the decisions you make for your child. If you feel as though your day care provider is constantly commenting on your parenting skills or if they try and interfere then this is a strong indicator that you should be trying to find someone else.
Reliability
If you can’t rely on the person who is running the day care, then this says a lot about the establishment. You should be notified well in advance about any scheduling changes, new staff members or even closures. Sure, there will be times when a member of staff becomes unwell, or even when they have to close early, but this shouldn’t happen very often at all.