How to Find the Very Best Child Care for Your Family in 8 Simple Steps
5-minute read
Article Overview:
Research shows that choosing a quality preschool for your child will put them on the path to a fantastic future. Here’s our checklist for finding the very best child care fit for families with children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old.
- Choose a child care center nearby; it can be a real sanity saver.
- Look for nationally accredited centers that meet high standards in teacher qualifications, curriculum, and safety.
- Make a list of what matters to your family and use it as a guide.
- Look for cleanliness, nutrition, and health and safety information.
- Spend time with your child’s teachers. Do they seem to love what they do? Are they warm and nurturing? Their answers will tell you a lot about their passions and their openness to working with you!
- Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to ask questions before deciding.
How can you tell if a center is “high-quality” versus just “so-so” or a “no-go”? We’ve compiled insight from our child care experts with nearly 50 years of experience to sum it all up in less than 10 steps.
Step #1. Make it easy on yourself: Pick a center along your commuter route.
The rhythm of drop-off and pickup will quickly become a familiar part of your routine. There are no hard-and-fast rules here, but having a child care center close by can be a real sanity saver—especially on those days when you’ve got an early morning meeting or shift, and nothing is going right. Consider what’s more important to your family—being closer to home, work, or somewhere in between. For example, if you have a baby you’d like to feed yourself, a center close to work might make the most sense for now.
Step #2. Find a center that’s nationally accredited.
Think of accreditation as a big gold star in the world of early childhood education. Awarded by an independent organization, accredited centers meet rigorous standards in everything from teacher qualifications to curriculum to safety. Nationally, only about 10% of centers are accredited—but 98% of KinderCare Learning Centers are!
The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) handy search tool makes finding an accredited center easy. Simply plug in your ZIP code and boom—they’ll share a list of accredited centers in your area.
Step #3. Make a short list of what matters most to your family.
The right center will honor and celebrate your family, including your structure, needs, beliefs, customs, and languages. To help in your search, create a list of what you need from a center, what you want for your child, and any concerns you may have, no matter how large or small.
Are you worried your child won’t nap? Do you want your child to be super-duper-ready for kindergarten? Are you concerned about how the teachers will manage your spirited child when they knock down other kids’ block towers? Do you speak an alternate language at home? Use your list as a conversation guide when speaking with centers—and don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions.
Step #4. See if the center has mastered the basics.
When you visit virtually or take an in-person tour, this is your time to check out the space, meet the center director, and imagine how adorable your child will look covered in finger paint. But if the center can’t get the basics right, move on.
- Cleanliness: The center should be clean and tidy.
- Safety: Look to see if health and safety procedures are easy to find on their website and prominently displayed. Plus, strong emergency plans should also be available, and the staff should be able to explain them—especially in areas prone to hurricanes, snowstorms, and earthquakes.
- Nutrition: Menus for meals and snacks should be made up of whole-grain foods and plenty of fruits and veggies. Our staff does not serve juice, which is high in sugar. Healthy body, healthy mind!
A Lifetime Of Confidence Starts Here
Our teachers help every child build the confidence they need to try new things and explore the world around them.
Search for a center near youStep #5. Check to see if the classrooms are kid-centric.
Whether you’ve got a whirling dervish, a whiz kid, or a quiet contemplator, a great classroom for kids empowers them all to reach their full learning potential. Ask if they:
- Encourage exploration by providing easy access to many learning possibilities—science stations, art supplies, dress-up clothes, and games where kids can easily reach them.
- Encourage reading by placing books within easy reach. Bonus points if the classroom is “print-rich.”
- Build a sense of belonging by hanging art at eye level and labeling cubbies with names and pictures.
Step #6. Spend a little time with the teachers.
When kids love their teacher, they love school—and love learning. Your center director can arrange a video visit or phone call with your child’s future teacher. When talking with them, do they seem to love what they do and enjoy being with the children? Ask them what they like about teaching. Bring up any concerns you might have about your child. Their answers will tell you a lot about their passions and their openness to working with you!
Step #7: Trust your instincts—you know your family best.
Narrowing down what’s right for your family can seem overwhelming at first, but asking yourself these questions can really help you out in the long run: Did you feel listened to, heard, and understood? Was the center and staff warm and welcoming? When in doubt, trust your gut! This is your child after all, and you know them best.
Step #8. It’s okay to ask more questions if you’re still unsure.
Still on the fence? Set up another virtual visit, phone call, or in-person meeting. A great center will be more than happy to honor your request. Just like we said at the beginning, the perfect preschool for you will make the experience all about you and your family!
