Our partners at KinderCare know that trusting new caregivers with your child is stressful, no matter how old your child is. Choosing a caregiver or childcare center can be overwhelming and difficult because there are so many options to choose from!
How do you choose the right childcare option for your family? KinderCare has some tips!
Find a place where your child will be safe and loved.
Caring for children is a huge responsibility. Find a caregiver who pays attention to every detail — big and small — and who makes themselves available to answer your questions whenever you have them.
Find out their safety procedures! Are they CPR and First Aid certified? How do they approach naptime and disciplinary issues? Are their answers and techniques similar to yours?
Will your child be seen and welcomed for who they are?
Every child is unique and develops at their own pace and in their own way. It is important to find a center or caregiver who celebrates your child’s individuality! Teachers and caregivers should get to know each child in the class, as well as their families. There should be opportunities for each child to see reflections of themselves and their beliefs, customs, and cultures in their classroom community.
What if your child needs extra support in certain developmental or educational areas? Will the center or caregiver be able to work with you to find the support your child needs? KinderCare uses a popular developmental screening tool to see if children are meeting developmental benchmarks for their age — and the test results show that KinderCare students are more prepared than their peers are for grade school.
How will the center or provider encourage your child’s natural sense of curiosity?
What does the classroom look like? Make sure the classrooms are set up with children in mind — with things at a child’s eye level. Keep an eye out for open-ended learning spaces where children can explore and decide how (and what) they want to do, learn, and create. Is it a print-rich environment? Even if children can’t yet read, a classroom with books and words everywhere (even labels on chairs and tables) will help children develop literacy skills early on! It is never too early to start learning!
Socializing is the key to building important relationships.
Look for a place where teachers are trained to listen to a child’s needs (at different ages and stages) and respond with appropriate suggestions and questions that guide children toward choices that will leave them feeling confident. 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 50 years, KinderCare teachers have been creating safe, encouraging environments where kids can learn, grow, and build confidence for life. At KinderCare, hardworking families are family — regardless of needs, backgrounds, and experiences.
Learn more about what to look for in a childcare provider at KinderCare.com.
KinderCare Learning Centers recently opened a brand new center in the Seaport District! Visit the Seaport KinderCare on 130 Autumn Lane in Boston, or contact 833-90-LEARN to schedule a tour and meet the Center Director.
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