Day care, what do you look for when choosing day care

7 Comments

I have been looking for day care for my eleven month old and I need some help in deciding how to choose one.
Are they all much of a muchness or are there big differences?
I’ve heard to try and stay away from the big chains as they are all about profit and don’t put much back into the center.
I came up with a little list but not sure if I have missed anything that’s really important.
Clean, well ventilated, plenty of shade outside, rules about going outside at pariculat times and the uv, menue’s, staff turn around. Correct me if I am wrong but I think they all use the same educational framework.
You would be surprised that some of these would be common sence, but I was supprised!
I have seen pot plants in the baby’s room, and one of the babies got into it and pulled out mulch and soil!!
I would have thought this could be a choking hazard!!
What has been your experience? How did you decide on which child care to use?

Posted anonymously, 20th February 2015

7 Comments

- - mom57522 said
  - 15 Jun 2015
    8:51 pm
I chose one of how it felt. We’re the kids and staff happy, was it clean, did it feel like a place I’d want to send my daughter to.

- - mom93821 said
  - 19 Mar 2015
    12:22 pm
Make sure the centre has an open door policy where parents/carers can drop in at anytime. It is important as their high standards need to be maintained at all times.

- - curlytops said
  - 03 Mar 2015
    9:11 pm
go at drop off time or pick up time to see how happy the kids are and talk to the parents to get honest feedback too.
- mom93821 replied
  
  30 Mar 2015 , 9:00 am
  This is some really good advice as happy parents will talk to you quite freely.
- - mom94125 said
  - 26 Feb 2015
    4:48 pm
well trial the daycare! see how your child and the other children interact with the staff. I was really upset one day that i went with my friend to pick up her child and while she was collecting things, i looked out the window and saw a little boy standing next to my daughter’s child and he kicked her. she kicked him back and the supervisor who saw the whole thing, sent her to the corner and when she realised that her mum was there, changed her tune. told my friend and she went through all the process and with drew her child. This daycare also had many other issues with children and not very popular where we live

- - Kelly said
  - 22 Feb 2015
    4:52 pm
I think once you walk into a child care centre your know its right for your child, i walked around 4 different kindys for my son and as soon as i walked into one i just knew that that was where i wanted him to go.

- - BellaB said
  - 20 Feb 2015
    4:41 pm
Check their rating on the national framework – things like those pot plants should give them a lower rating!! Look at the nappy change/toileting arrangements – are they hygenic but also easily visible to others (this is a safety thing, sorry to say – reduces the risk of abuse). Visit the centre and see how the staff respond to your child. Don’t underestimate the value of the “vibe” you get from the centre – you know what suits your child better than anyone.