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Getting your child into good childcare is crucial for their well-being. Letting them stay at home with a nanny is fine if the nanny is equipped to teach your child in addition to caring for their basic needs. But, the truth is, there are many things that contribute to a child fully developing, and that includes social interaction.

When you consider childcare, you first need to establish your goals for your child. Do you want them to be in a learning environment? Do you want them to be taken care of physically and health-wise? Do you want them to meet new friends? Do you want them to develop their character and emotional development?

Not all childcare facilities offer the same environments and services, so it’s crucial for you to decide what you want, set expectations, and see which childcare options meet those expectations.

So, what qualities accompany a good childcare provider?

• Safe and healthy. The physical environment must be clean, organized, and properly maintained to assure the safety of your child. In addition to cleanliness, also look for safety measures, such as fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, emergency numbers, locks on cabinets, and no dangerous objects lying around.
• Good reputation. Ask around and get people’s feedback on your potential provider. A good reputation means that the provider has been tested and proven to be of high quality. Firsthand feedback is so important when it comes to making a decision.
• Caring staff. From the start, you can feel the energy of each staff member. You want to look for people who are warm, caring, and sensitive enough to address your child’s needs.
• Established ground rules. There should be rules implemented in the center to ensure everything is organized and everyone is following the same ideology. If the childcare provider does not have established guidelines or a mission statement of some sort, this could indicate a lack of organization and structure for your child.
• Healthy meals. Every provider offers meals to your child. You need to check their meal schedule, when foods are given to the children, what kinds of foods are provided, and how they handle the food.
• Good educational curriculum. Know what they are teaching your child. It is crucial for you to have an idea of what your child is learning and the pace they are establishing in their educational system.
• Clear communication with parents. Make sure they can properly communicate their goals, plans, and anything happening with your child and the center.

Child care is not something you carelessly pick out and move on. Leaving your child in the care of others is a major act and needs your utmost attention, so you can be assured they are in good hands. Before choosing a child care option, it is important to take note of their services and leave room for evaluation.

To help you choose the best childcare for you and your child, here are some helpful tips:

• Lay out your wants and your child’s needs – Establish your expectations for what you want childcare to provide. This will let you know where to start in your evaluation. Do you want them to teach your child or simply babysit? Are you planning to leave your child for extended periods of time on a regular basis, or do you only need assistance with childcare occasionally? Knowing these expectations will help you sort through your options better.
• Trust your intuition – If you have a gut feeling that a certain child care provider is not a good idea, then move on. Oftentimes, you have that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach, there is a reason. Trusting your instincts will help you choose a child care provider that you will feel comfortable with, and that is essential. Even if you’re looking at someone with the best reputation in town, if it doesn’t feel right, look at other options.
• Experience it yourself – Don’t just rely on their sales pitch, marketing materials, or even third-party reviews. You won’t know the true experience your child will have until you see what the environment is like for yourself. Observe a class or ask if you can check the facilities and see firsthand where your children will be.
• Mind your child’s feeling – Ultimately, your child is the one who will be with the child care provider, so listen to what they think and feel about the option you are considering. If they are old enough to provide feedback and opinions, let your child feel involved. It will make them feel more comfortable with the situation.
• Seek recommendations – If you have friends who already use child care, ask for their recommendations. Their experience can be a testimony of how trustworthy childcare is. Always do additional research before making a decision, however.
• Ask everything you need to know – Seek all the information you can about each childcare provider to help you decide which is the best for you and your child. Ask questions and clarify any thoughts or concerns that may bother you about their system.