Choosing a day care center for a child can be a stressful and confusing process for parents. This guide provides parents with suggested questions to ask, and considerations for reflection when making one of the most important decisions about a child.
What are the factors that are important to you in your job? Your child has the same needs and desires in how they spend their day: comfort, safety, being treated with respect, rules and systems that are clear and consistently applied. There are a few things you might want to check out before making a decision to place a child in a day care center. Even if you just love the first center you visit, check out several. Each one has a different “personality” and it’s so important to find the center that’s the best fit for your child.

Day Care Cost

What are the hourly/daily/weekly rates charged by the day care center? Do they allow parents to pay for partial days, or will you be charged for a full day even if your child is not there (doctor appointment, etc.)? Are you required to pay for holidays when the day care center is closed? Are you expected to pay for weeks your family is on vacation and your child does not attend? What other fees are charged, i.e. for diapers, nap time mat, etc.?

Location, Location, Location

Consider the location of the day care center. Is it convenient to your home or work or will you need to build in extra time in your morning and afternoon routines to pick your child? Do the grounds look well-kept? Is the parking lot adequate to ensure safe entrance and exit by cars? Is it easy to maneuver in and out of the day care center and parking lot with a child (or two) in tow?

Teacher Credentials

How long has your child’s potential teacher worked at that day care center? What are the teacher’s background, education and training? What are the hours the classroom teacher works? Will you have an opportunity to talk to the teacher each day, either in the morning or the afternoon?

Once Your Child Is Enrolled

After a few days your child should feel relatively comfortable in the day care center. Talk to your child about specific activities they did at art time, circle time, during free play each day. After a month or so, does your child seem to be relaxed and happy when you arrive at the day care center to pick him/her up in the evening? Does your child look forward to going to the day care center (beyond the normal separation anxiety, sleepiness, etc.)? Does the teacher greet your child by name? Do they greet you by name?

Drop in at the day care center from time to time without an appointment. It’s your right and your responsibility to be sure your child is happy, healthy, and well-cared for. You’ll feel much better knowing your child is in a setting they enjoy. If you have concerns about anything you see or hear or your child reports, address it immediately with the teacher or day care center director.

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