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Choosing an Early Childhood Center
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Choosing the right daycare or preschool for your family can be a difficult process. You may want to consider two broad categories of factors:
1.
Experience - Has the center been in existence for a long time? Loyal, satisfied customers are required for a business to keep operating year after year. A child care center's years (or decades) in a community are a strong indicator of the trust families have placed in the facility and its staff.
State inspections - Child care facilities are required to have State inspections and follow hundreds of regulations. Inspectors will make scheduled and unscheduled visits to each center and publish their findings online. While all inspection findings are cause for concern, the State ranks some infractions as "Serious non-compliance" which present an "elevated risk of harm to children." An important part of comparing centers involves researching the recent inspection reports.
Step Up to Quality - Centers can choose to go beyond the required minimum regulations and achieve a Step Up to Quality (SUTQ) rating from the State. This proves that the center maintains smaller adult to child ratios, more training standards for staff and other regulations which ensure a higher standard of care.
Value - Does the center offer good value for the money? In addition to costs for daily care, be sure to consider all costs, such as registration fees, supply or activity fees, transportation costs and any penalties. What discounts do they offer which can reduce your costs? What meals or snacks are offered, saving you time and money?
How does the center rate on objective, measurable criteria such as:
How does the center feel?
2.
Beyond appearances - The old saying of "never judge a book by its cover" is especially important in choosing a child care facility. A building can be brand new, but not feel like "home" to you and your child. On the other hand, a plain exterior can house an exceptional facility and staff. You and your child should visit, ask questions, spend time in a classroom, talk with the director or take whatever other steps will allow you to get a good "feel" for the building and staff. Avoid making decisions solely based on how a center looks.
Staff - Teachers, classroom aides, the director, cook or any other staff or volunteers must model caring and appropriate behavior. Are you and your child treated well when you visit? Are people friendly? Do they answer your questions and take time to make you feel at home?
Fun - The best early childhood education centers will use research-based curriculum to enhance your child's development and get them ready for kindergarten. While this learning should be rigorous, the center must also be fun for your child. Does your child appear interested in the classrooms, activities and field trips?
We have created a form to help you compare local daycare / preschool centers. You can download a copy of this form as a PDF file.
Please print the form and keep with you when you visit or call each center. Information on Chardon Community Day Care Center is already on the form, along with space to make notes for other facilities nearby.
We have created a form to help you compare local Child Care Centers. Download a copy of this form as a PDF file.
Want even more information about selecting an early learning center?
Click here for a comprehensive guide from the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.
