The formative years of our child are one of the most important phases wherein the child gets to develop his or her inclinations, be it in math, science or the arts. However, no matter how much time we would like to spend with our children, this is not at all times possible. When both parents are working, it is really improbable that one parent can dedicate all of his or her time towards such child. But, even though, we, parents might be loaded up with work to be able to also provide for the family and our children’s future, the child’s development must also not be compromised.
Daycare centers have always been a great help these days because not only are we comfortable where we leave our child at, we also know that while they are there, they are also learning something new from each day at the daycare.
If you want to find the best daycare in Marlborough or another town near you, there are multiple things to keep in mind. I live in the greater Boston area, so Marlborough is nearby for me and most of my readers, but you might need to do a quick Google search to find daycare centers nearest to you.
When searching for the best daycare, look for the following characteristics:
1. Consult with other parents who have experiences with daycare
Because child rearing is never easy, it must be definitive that such daycare will be able to tend to the needs and tantrums of your child. Aside from the learning process, the daycare should also be able to make the daycare experience toward the child become a fun one. Because if not, chances are, you will yet again find another daycare because your child might no longer want to go back to such daycare.
There really is no such thing as a perfect daycare, but it is not impossible for you to find one that best fits your needs, your child’s needs, and one that complements well as towards the characteristics of your child. You can do this by soliciting advice from co-parents who have had their own experiences when it comes to daycares.
2. Ensure that the daycare has well-established day to day activities
The attention span of a child is really short, and if eventually, the child finds the activity to be boring, chances are, that child will become unruly and uncooperative with the daycare facilitators. You should be able to find a daycare that can handle both the good and bad moods of the child because by way of well-organized daily activity plans for the child to immerse into. These lessons need not be complex, it is should be just well enough that the child learns from it and at the same time has fun while doing it. Fostering children’s creativity is an important element of learning.
3. Get your priorities straight
As a parent, you should know very well the limits of what a daycare can provide. And in line with that, you should then be able to establish the non-negotiables and negotiable factors that you want that daycare to possess. If your non-negotiables are not being possessed by the daycare center that you have been eyeing on, then chances are, you will just end up satisfied and frustrated.
The teacher or facilitator must be able to connect with your child and figure out their learning style because if they don’t, then it will be burdensome on the part of you, the parent, and on part of the teacher. Because it is going to be very difficult to try to teach uninterested children.
4. Look beyond the teacher’s track record
Although enrolling your child into a daycare center who employs highly-qualified teachers and facilitators is great, there are times wherein you will have to know if this is what the child really wants. These credentials are added qualifications, but one must also consider the emotional aspects of the child. And because the child cannot really assert or explain in detail on what he was going through, the importance of having someone aside from yourself as a parent is vital. The teacher or facilitator must also be able to connect with your child, making him or her comfortable during the whole duration of being in the daycare.
You know you have found the right daycare when you can see from the teacher how well they can handle not only your child but along with other children as well. These are traits which are not found in credentials alone.
5. Ensure that the teachers are committed to your child’s development
Given that because of the age of these children, there will always be unruliness and whatnot. It is important for you as a parent to know that apart from a well-planned day to day activity, is a roadmap on various milestones that your child is going to attain over the period of your child’s stay in the daycare. One good roadmap that you can check is whether the teachers are also assessing your child on his or her progress so to be able to reinforce learning and development.
6. Assess if the teachers are well-driven
A good teacher is one who knows what to teach and how he or she can positively influence your child. This can be easily determined through observation as to how good the teacher is handling not only the class but also as towards himself. Because, when a child senses that something is not right with the teacher, chances are, something really is not right. There might be other factors affecting the performances of these teachers, but if you feel that you are no longer comfortable on how the daycare is handling your child, then you should also have to consider transferring your child into another daycare center.
7. Make sure there is a sense of engagement
The interaction between the children and the teacher is a good indicator should these children respond positively towards the teacher in between lessons. If you can see that your child and the other children are practically enjoying the teacher’s presence, then you know that your child is in good hands and you can already be secured enough to know that your child is in good hands.
The list enumerated above is not exclusive. There are still a number of factors that you should altogether consider when it comes to entrusting your child to a daycare center. Just because another parent likes a specific daycare center, doesn’t mean it’s the best one for you and your child. Make sure at the end of the day that you choose the one that is the best fit for you and your child.
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