Entrusting new caregivers with your little one can be a nerve-wracking experience, no matter your child’s age. The plethora of options out there can make the hunt for the perfect child care center or best caregiver feel like finding a needle in a haystack.
Buy hey, don’t fret!
Our partners over at KinderCare have your back with a handy guide to aid you in your quest for the ideal child care solution.
First and foremost, you want to find a place where your child will be safe and genuinely cared for.
Your child’s well-being is paramount. Seek out caregivers who pay meticulous attention to every detail, big and small, and who are readily available to address your queries whenever they pop up.
According to a recent Harris Poll, a whopping 82% of parents find their own confidence boosted when they know their child is in a secure environment. Safety is a must, but you’ll also want caregivers who have a natural knack for working with little ones.
The best caregivers should respond to children with kindness and compassion, providing the emotional security that young kids need to tackle those exciting milestones.
Ask yourself and the director:
- Do they radiate warmth and love toward babies and children?
- What are their safety protocols?
- Are the teachers or providers CPR-certified?
- What’s their approach to naptime?
How will your child be seen and welcomed for who they are?
Each child is a unique individual who develops at their own pace. Look for caregivers who celebrate and encourage this individuality.
Does the center have a system to figure out if kids might need some extra support in certain areas?
And if your child does need that extra help, will the center or caregiver collaborate with you to make sure your child gets the support they need?
KinderCare uses a popular developmental screening tool to check if children are hitting their age-appropriate milestones.
Results show that KinderCare students are often better prepared for grade school than their peers.
Now, ask yourself (and maybe even chat with the director or provider):
- Do they have a regular way to keep in touch with families?
- Do you see artwork on the walls that represents the diversity of the children and their talents?
- How do they team up with families to bring out the best in each child?
- What extra resources does the center or provider have access to?
KinderCare offers its own Inclusion Services team who are dedicated to advising and helping teachers meet each child’s unique needs and interests.
How does the center or provider nurture your child’s innate curiosity?
In the world of children’s brains, every second counts, especially since it’s growing more now than it ever will.
Seek environments designed with kids in mind, featuring items at their eye level. Open-ended learning spaces are a plus, where children can explore and decide what and how they want to learn and create. A print-rich environment with books and words everywhere can also foster literacy skills and critical thinking.
Social skills are key to building relationships
Think back to your school days; your favorite teacher probably made learning something to look forward to.
Seek out places where teachers are attuned to a child’s needs and respond with helpful suggestions and questions. Friendships among children are crucial for independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem, so ensure that social-emotional skills are at the core of the curriculum.
Ask yourself (and the director or provider):
- Are teachers focused on what the children are doing?
- Are they engaging with children by asking questions and talking respectfully to them?
- How do they handle tears or children working to share a toy?
For more than 50 years, KinderCare has been crafting safe, nurturing spaces where children can learn, grow, and develop the confidence for life they need for success. At KinderCare, all families are considered family, regardless of their unique needs, backgrounds, or experiences.
KinderCare Learning Centers has a brand-new center in Washington D.C!
Pay a visit to the City Ridge KinderCare on 15 Ridge Square NW, Washington, DC 20016, or call to schedule a tour and meet the Center Director at (202) 644-8354.
Your child’s adventure in learning awaits!
