It is somewhat difficult and daunting to find the right childcare center for one’s child. Usually parents find themselves with a lot of options to consider when it comes to the facility’s security, amenities, policies, staff qualifications, cost and availability. The goal being to find a daycare that is a happy and safe place for the child at the same time encouraging the child to learn and develop. Having been rated by fellow parents as a Trusted daycare provider in Orlando we would like to share some useful guidelines for choosing an ideal childcare center. If you feel that we meet your needs, feel free to stop in for a tour Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm.
Below are some of our tips for helping select the right daycare center for your children:
Make it a Priority
Give yourself enough time to start your search for a childcare center, that way you are not rushing last minute. When you give yourself enough time to search for the right daycare that in turn affords you the opportunity to compare and ask questions. Also, to keep in mind would be the child’s behavior, health, temperament and any special needs that they might have, so-as- to match the services provided at the chosen childcare provider to those needs.
Check for Referrals
Many parents go through the process of checking for a daycare, so one should refer to online reviews as a source for checking other parents’ experiences. Platforms such as Google, Yelp are all places that may have reviews for a daycare within one’s area. This also assists in narrowing down a few centers that would have a good standing, so as to start calling and visiting the chosen few.
Visit the local Orlando Daycare Centers
Once you have shortlisted a few centers, the next step would be to visit them. What to look at, at these centers is how the caregivers/ teachers interact with the children, what toys and learning materials are present and to also make sure the facility is organized and clean.
Additionally, one should always check the staff-to-child ratio. There is a mandated ratio by the Department of Children and Families for the State of Florida, however the fewer children are per adult the better. Ratios as per below:
- Infants 1:4
- Toddlers 1:6
- Two Years 1:11
- Tree Years 1:15
- Four Years 1:20
- Five Years 1:25
Important to ask during the visit, would also be the qualifications that the caregivers possess and the types of activities they participate in with the children in their care to promote learning.
The Cost
Another important factor to consider is the cost of the childcare center. All costs should be investigated, that is the tuition fee and, the parent also needs to know what is included in the tuition, if there will be any other extra costs. Are meals and snacks included in this cost? What other additional services does the day care offer? It is important to know all the answers before signing up.
After doing all your research and preparation choosing the best Orlando daycare will be so much easier. This will help settle one’s nerves and get you ready for that first day of daycare.
Kids Christian Academy offers so much more than the typical Orlando daycare. Free freshly prepared hot meals, after school care until 7pm, and we even have the option for Saturday care. If you have any questions about our programs, including infant care, childcare, VPK, or after school programs give us a call at (407) 720-1533.