How to Choose a Daycare – Examining the Characteristics of a Good One

Handing my son the measuring cup, I helped him dump chocolate chips into the mixing bowl. I turned on the mixer and he shouted, “I see the cookies!” I laughed. This was a rare occurrence. Since his brother had been born two months ago, I hadn’t had much one-on-one time to give him.

Suddenly, my watch started vibrating, interrupting my thoughts. I absently glanced at the screen and noticed the number of the school district I worked for. Quickly, I grabbed my phone, wondering why they would be calling. I wasn’t due to return to work for another three months.

My stomach dropped as the HR representative informed me that, as a teacher, I hadn’t worked enough days in the last year to qualify for FMLA. I needed to return to work in the next few days.

Suddenly, nausea swept over me. I didn’t even have a daycare for my baby.

Choosing a daycare can be a mentally taxing quest for all parents, no matter how old your child is. But leaving your new baby with a stranger is both mentally and emotionally taxing for most moms.

So how do you know what the characteristics of a good daycare are? What makes the difference between a great daycare and the ones you see on the news?

What are my options?

When considering the characteristics of a good daycare, you first want to know what type of daycare you’re looking for. There are a few different options to consider.

1. The Early Education Daycare
2. The Preschool Daycare
3. The Large Facility Daycare
4. The Large Home Daycare
5. The Small Home Daycare

The Early Education Daycare

Early education daycares are considered early education schools for children from birth-kindergarten. They boast of great curriculum and focus on teaching your children specific skills. The focus is on learning, not just daycare. These are typically the most expensive option.

Examples: The Learning Experience & La Petite Academy

Choose this option if: Your biggest concern is your child’s education. No matter the cost.

The Preschool Daycare

The preschool daycare is one that is specifically for educating preschool-aged kids. The intent is to prepare them for school. Therefore, they only offer childcare for children starting at age 2. These can be a little less expensive since the ratios can be higher. They also often offer part-time enrollment (half-day or full-day a few days a week).

Choose this option if: Your child is preschool-aged and you want him/her to learn. Also, if you work part-time.

The Large Daycare Center

A large daycare center is one that exists basically to house your children while you’re away. They normally offer transportation to and from school.

Choose this option if: You have school-aged children and you need them to get to and from school while you’re at work.

The Large Home Daycare

A large home daycare is a daycare that someone runs out of their home. They have to be licensed and meet certain standards, but anyone can open a home daycare.

These daycares generally have 12-14 children at a time (depending on the laws in your area). With a primary caretaker and an assistant caretaker. Some take infants and some don’t. It just depends on the daycare. Home daycares are generally less expensive than facility daycares.

Choose this option if: You need/want a cheaper option for young children and/or you like the idea of your children having a consistent caregiver.

The Small Home Daycare

A small home daycare is also a licensed daycare. But they only have 4-6 children (depending on the laws in your area), with one caregiver.

The cost is similar to the price of a large home daycare.

Choose this option if: You need/want a cheaper option for young children, you like the idea of your children having a consistent caregiver, and you want a small group option.

Let’s Compare

It Comes Down to You

I’ve given you a general overview of daycare options. But remember how I asked, “What makes the difference between a great daycare and the ones you see on the news?” Well, now it’s your turn to gather as much information as possible about your prospective daycares.

Now that you know which type of daycare you want to look for, you need to start investigating. Call the daycares you’re considering and set up a tour/meeting. Bring them all of your questions.

Daycare Questions

• Do you use a curriculum or teach any skills?
• What qualifications do you have or what qualifications do you require for your teachers?
• What do you provide? What would I need to bring?
• How do you put children down for their naps?
• Do you have any requirements for the parents?
• What are your hours?
• What happens if my child can’t attend because of illness? Can they make up the day(s) they missed? Do I still pay if they don’t attend?
• Do you have a license number? (look this number up with the department of social services)
• How much do you charge?
• What is the adult-to-child ratio at your facility?
• Do you have surveillance?
• Can I meet my child’s teacher before deciding? Can I observe a class?
• Are children allowed to watch TV or play on devices?
• What is your method of discipline?
• How do you support potty training?

Look for the Unicorns

Meet everyone you can and ask questions. Look for people who are kind and caring. Watch the teacher in action. Watch her interactions with children. Gather as much information as possible and look for things that stand out as either good or bad.

For example, generally, there is surveillance at large daycare centers, but maybe the children are not under constant supervision and they’ve found spaces to hide from cameras or teachers. I’ve gone to daycare centers with high accolades to find kids sitting in groups in corners on an iPad.

On the other hand, you may find a great home daycare with a highly qualified teacher running it.

You have to ask the questions and do as much investigation as possible to find the best option for you and your child.

Note: Don’t ever put your child in a daycare that won’t let you tour the space and talk to the providers beforehand.

Let’s Find a Daycare

You can find a daycare center pretty easily. Just search “daycares in my area.” Finding one that has an opening is going to be more difficult. Make sure you start your search in advance.

Home daycares are more difficult to find. Some may come up on a search, but many will not. It all depends on where the daycare owner registers. Often the ones that are easy to find are full.

So how can you find a daycare spot when everyone you find is already full?

Facebook.

Search for daycare groups in your area. Often home daycares will post to these groups when they have spots available. If you can’t find anything, ask other moms you work with. Finding childcare is one of those secret codes that only moms know. 

Even though you may not be ready to return to work, choosing childcare is an important thing to get an early start on. I hope this has helped you consider the characteristics of a good daycare. And you feel prepared to find a great one.

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