What to look for in a child care center
Early education centres are one of the very best ways to give young children a great start in life, but it’s also important to choose the right one for you and your child.
Not all early learning centres are exactly the same, so in this article, we’re going to be posing some questions for you, so you know what to look for before making a decision.
Is there a school readiness program at the center?
One of the most important things an early learning facility can do for children is help to prepare them for the school years to come. You should look for a centre that provides a school readiness programme.
This programme introduces children to the fundamentals of education, such as math, english, science, and other subjects. Personal development, such as increasing a child’s self-confidence, is also an important part of a school readiness programme. The smoother the transition to school, the better prepared the children are.
Will kids be taught about nutrition?
Another important lesson that an early learning centre should teach your children is nutrition and how to eat healthy. Children are far more likely to develop an interest in learning about good nutrition, why they should eat healthy food, and be more positive about eating things like vegetables when they are in a group setting with encouragement from experienced teachers and minders
Verify that the early education center’s curriculum includes a nutrition component and that the facility serves delicious, yet healthy, meals to the children.
Are the centre’s hours convenient?
You’ll want to enrol your child or children in a centre that has hours that suit your schedule and lifestyle. For example, if you want your child to be at the centre while you’re at work, is the centre operating during those exact work hours?
Some early learning centres open very early in the morning and close quite late in the day. It depends on the centre, so be sure to check their operating hours before enrolling your child.
Do the staff and children seem positive and happy?
A good idea, once you have a centre or two in mind, is to actually go to the centre, speak to the staff, peruse their curriculum and generally have a good look around. Don’t just rush in and rush out. Spend a bit of time observing, seeing how the kids interact with their carers, what activities they are involved in and whether everyone seems happy and positive.
You want to be sure you are placing your child in a good environment, where they will learn, be comfortable and have a good time. A stressful and negative vibe is the exact opposite of what you want to be looking for
Is it a safe and secure environment?
Safety and security are paramount when it comes to leaving children in an early education facility. Once again, it pays to visit the centre in person to discover whether the environment is safe and secure. This includes the centre itself, the grounds, activities and the staff who work there.
