Safety and various childcare policies

Give special attention to established rules and regulations followed by the childcare centre. A responsible and thoughtful childcare centre should have a set of well-established regulations from operating hours to emergency measures.

For instance, you might need to fetch and drop off your child at different times. Sometimes your friend or family will fetch your child. Or what if your toddler falls ill. Is there a strike sick-child policy that dictates when and how long a recuperation period for your sick child or any other children in the childcare centre. Or how about if you frequently bring your child food. Does the childcare centre have any guidelines on it. Talk about how the childcare centre handles these situations.

Be wary too of childcare centres which does not encourage parents to drop by unannounced. Excellent childcare centres go the extra mile to encourage parents to join in the centre’s community practise to help in activites, games, lessons and extra curricular actitivies involving their children. If a certain childcare centre discourages your presence, chances are they might not want you to see their lacklustre performance. Just a precaution.

Well-trained, qualified, sensitive and caring staff

When it comes to people looking after toddler, spare no expense at looking for a childcare centre with excellent reputation in their staff and caregivers. As a start, make sure there are enough caregivers to look after the needs and attention of all the children in the childcare centre.

On top of that, a good childcare centre should employ qualified staff with a background in early childhood development. Caregivers who are responsible, enthusiastic and caring will definitely ask about your child’s health and any information deemed necessary to care for them safely. They should also share your preferences when it comes to your child’s eating, sleeping, discipline and other care issues for you to feel absolutely comfortable leaving your child under their care at the childcare centre.

Caregivers should also make personal hygiene and cleanliness one of their top priorities. For instance, after every diaper change, a wash of hands and proper diaper disposal should be done.

Education and curricular activities

Find out about the childcare centres schedule on reading sessions, TV time, physical activities, curriculum structure and educational related aspects. Is the curriculum age-appropriate? Is the curriculum stimulating enough to help with your child’s early development? Does the childcare centre’s curriculum timetable strike a fine balance between learning and playing?

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