How to Select a Daycare Provider
Childcare licensing, environment, staff, curriculum, health & safety
Important criteria for selecting quality childcare
Licensing/accreditation: Find out if the center is in compliance with applicable laws or licensing regulations. Licensed programs have met the minimum standards for healthy and safe care.
Also find out if the program is accredited, says Nanci Weinberger, an associate professor in the Applied Psychology Department at Bryant College who focuses on early childhood environments.
This is a voluntary process where programs show they have met a higher standard of care determined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The NAEYC provides a process for child care professionals and families to evaluate programs.
What is NAEYC?
NAEYC is the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The NAEYC administers the largest and most widely recognized national, voluntary, professionally sponsored accreditation system for all types of early childhood schools and child care centers. NAEYC is the nation’s largest organization of early childhood educators.
Why choose an NAEYC-accredited program?
NAEYC-accredited programs have demonstrated a commitment to providing a high quality program for young children and their families. While the NAEYC accreditation process examines the total program, greatest emphasis is placed on the quality of interactions among staff and children and the developmental appropriateness of the curriculum--what really happens to the children. Health and safety, staffing, staff qualifications, physical environment, and administration are all reviewed during accreditation, but primary consideration is given to the nature of the child's experience. Accreditation helps you identify high quality programs. High quality is important for children and families, so parents can be reassured that their children are in good hands.
Environment: The environment should be safe, clean, and uncluttered. The physical environment should be a bright, colorful and inviting place.
The environment should be designed with children in mind and furniture should be child sized, says Dr. Steve Green, assistant professor and child development specialist at Texas A & M University. Materials should be accessible and displays should be at the child's eye level. Different areas should be designated for different uses (e.g., messy area near a sink, quiet area away from building blocks).
Staff: Caregivers should have the proper past experience working with children and educational background. Caregivers should be able to interact one-on-one with children in a warm and responsive way, says Dr. Sal Severe, parenting expert and author of the New York Times Bestseller of How To Behave So Your Children Will, Too!
The rate of turn over with regard to staff should be low and caregivers should be consistent. Caregivers should also stay current through classes, workshops, and professional journals. Caregivers should be responsible for small groups of children. (Recommended ratios for adults to children are: infants-1:3 toddlers-1:5 preschool-1:8 school age-1:12).
The program/curriculum: The program or curriculum should be varied according to age. For children aged three and under, programs should emphasize play activities that enhance development as opposed to formal educational curricula, says Weinburger.
Four and five year olds can benefit from school readiness activities that combine elements of formal education with play and free expression. All programs should include both small and large group activities, and a balance between rest and activity.
Family Involvement: Look for a daycare facility that encourages parents to serve on the board of directors, to become involved as volunteers, to have input into center policies, that welcomes visits from parents, etc., says Ann Douglas, author of The Unofficial Guide to Childcare. The program should have an "open door" policy where you are welcome to drop by and visit whenever you wish. You should be regularly informed of your child's progress and daycare experiences.
Safety and Health: The environment should be clean and well ventilated. Toys should be cleaned and in good working order. There should be specific policies regarding injuries, contacting parents in case of emergencies, and medical intervention. The staff should be trained in CPR, and first aid should be on-site. Children should never be left unattended.
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