Factors To Consider When Choosing A Daycare For Your Child
Posted on: 8 April 2017
When you have your first child, the thought of sending them to daycare may be a bit scary to consider. However, at some point, you will need to return to work or get back out into the world and you will need to find someone to help take care of your child. If you are trying to find the right daycare for your child, there are many different factors that you should consider. Get to know some of the different aspects to keep in mind when selecting your child's daycare so you can be sure you are making the right choice for both you and your child.
The Educational Program They Use
Daycares are not just daycares anymore. They are also educational centers for young children. It is important for you to choose a daycare and childcare center that utilizes an educational program and basis that best suits the type of education you want your child to have. Montessori schools, for example, offer an emphasis on independence and natural child development. These programs offer a holistic approach to education that focuses on all aspects of a child's development rather than just academic.
However, this is just one of many different educational programs that daycare centers offer. There are more academic programs that are run more like a traditional school. There are also much more freeform programs that are more about play than a strict curriculum. The program you choose depends entirely upon your values and what is best for your child and their individual personality.
Class Size
Another important factor to consider in your selection of a daycare for your child is the number of children assigned to each classroom or group in the daycare. The more children per teacher, the less individual attention your child will receive from their teachers. More attention from teachers can lead to better academic achievement and faster development of various social and academic skills.
However, larger classes do have some advantages as well. Your child would have more opportunities to socialize with other children, for example. Larger classes may also be more diverse, helping your child to become comfortable with diversity.
Most parents prefer the smaller class sizes, particularly when children are quite young. When you speak with daycare centers, ask about the number of children assigned to each lead teacher. You will also want to ask how many assistant teachers will be in the classroom at any given time. This will give you an idea of how much adult attention and supervision your child will receive and help you to find the right fit.
With these factors in mind, you can better find the right daycare for your child.
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