Choosing a Daycare

Scallywags Childcare

As a parent, I am sure you are well aware of how incredibly difficult it is finding someone you truly trust to care for your children while you are away at work. Finding the perfect child care provider may seem like a tedious and time consuming task, but when it comes to your children, it is one of the most important decisions you, as a parent, can make.

What Type of Childcare Are You Looking For?

First and foremost, you need to consider what precisely you are looking to get out of your daycare or child care provider, namely based upon your child’s (or children’s) age. Where an infant is concerned, more hands on care is required, as opposed to a pre-k child who is more interested in playing with children their own age, and beginning to learn and grasp issues of life in a new way. A group daycare may have your child in a room with other children the same age and group daycares tend to have larger groupings of children. A licensed home based daycare will have a maximum of seven to eight children and the ages of those children can vary. Licensed home based daycares can be wonderful if you are looking for a comfortable, home like atmosphere and with less children, the caregiver can often devote more attention to your child. 

The Importance of Scheduled Activities for Children

One of the most important aspects of a child’s early developmental stage is ensuring that a regular schedule is implemented in their day-to-day life, and seeking a care provider who can offer this is one of the best qualities to look for. Children grow and feel comfortable with a scheduled day. They are less likely to feel uncertain of themselves if they are able to trust their surroundings, and those they are around. Make sure that the child care or daycare centre you are considering has a daily schedule that works around your own, and is easy for your child to accept and grow with. That being said, it is also important that children have ample opportunities for free play.

Another highly important aspect to consider is daily activities, including mealtime. Some questions you may want to ask yourself are, what activities are provided for your child? Are they age appropriate? Do they instill learning and developing in ways that are beneficial to your child? Are meals and snacks provided? Are they nutritious in a manner that provides growth and health? 

Licensing and Certification

In your search for finding the best care provider for your children, it is incredibly important to question the certifications of both the centre or home location of the daycare, as well as the certifications of teachers, instructors, or care provider. If you are choosing a daycare, make sure that the daycare is licensed. You can even search to see if any complaints have been filed against the care centre, also be sure that any teachers, or care providers are CPR and First Aid Certified. It only takes one brief second of a care provider looking away that could have detrimental consequences for your children if the adult is unsure of what measures to take to help your child. Do not be afraid to ask questions, or even request visual documents of certifications.

Do A Trial

If you have settled or are in question of a care centre, it is okay to give it a trial run. Allow your child the opportunity to try out the care centre, and if they are old enough, truly listen to what they have to say. If they are still infants, drop in unexpectedly to the centre to see how things are being run, watch your child’s behavior, just because a child can not speak, does not mean they can not communicate. Parental instinct is one of the best options you have. 

Take Your Time

There are many options in the Chilliwack area. It is okay to take your time in choosing the best care provider for your child. Never be afraid to interview, ask a great number of questions, and take a lot of tours. It may seem time consuming, but the best option is out there for you and your children, you simply need to find it! And it may be closer than you think. Don't immediately judge the child care space or the care provider without getting to know both a little. You may be surprised at how well you work together.