Choosing Childcare Thoughtfully

Signs That You'Ve Found A Great Daycare

by Erik Reyes

When on the hunt for a great daycare facility for your child, you may find it tough finding the characteristics that really make a daycare stand out from the rest. Here are 4 things you should look for to know that you've found the right one for your child.

They Encourage Drop-in Visits

Since your child may be too young to tell you about their day, it's nice to have an idea about what exactly happens while they are at daycare. That's why you want to use a daycare provider that encourages drop-in visits. It's alright to have some exceptions, such as during nap time, but you want the ability to stop by and see what kind of activities your child is up to while they are under someone's care.

They Encourage Healthy Eating

Daycare facilities typically don't have you supply food for your child, since everything is prepared in a controlled environment to minimize the risk of exposing kids to food allergies. While that is a great thing for a daycare facility to do, you also want to verify that your kid is eating a healthy diet. Take a look at the lunch and snack menus for the month, and check to see if they are providing a healthy variety of different foods. Small things, like offering water and milk instead of juice, can help promote healthy eating.

They Have Good Illness Policy

While it's tough to deal with a sick child because you need to unexpectedly stay home from work, you want a daycare to have a policy in place that doesn't allow sick kids to attend when they are still contagious. Look for things that follow basic CDC guidelines, such as keeping a child home 24 hours after a fever has gone away. Following the guidelines will help ensure that your child does not get sick due to other kids.

They Have a Fun and Safe Play Area Outside

Daycares are required to have some outside playtime each day if the weather is nice. You will want to look at the quality of the outside play area and if it is both fun and safe. This is where your child will be spending a lot of time, and it should keep them busy with plenty of activities to work on their fine motor skills.

With these 4 things in mind, check out your local daycare facilities for one that will work great for your kid. For more information, contact a business such as Noah's Ark Christian Daycare.

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