Evaluating a Childcare Center (Part-2)
Current license
Ask to examine whether the center’s credentials and licenses are current, valid and good. Licensing regulations vary from state to state, but a childcare center cannot exist without some form of official sanction. Any hesitation on the part of the center in providing the documentation sought is a sign of weakness and secrecy. Remember to check the NAEYC’s database for accreditation of the center, and its conformity to state regulations on health and safety of kids and staff.
Healthy food
If the center has a food plan, check the kind of food served as snacks and meals, for values of nutrition, dietics and hygiene. Does the center take into account any food allergies a child may have and modify the menu accordingly for that child? If children have to bring their own food to the center, check the guidelines on dos and don’ts. Some centers may impose restrictions on candy and all kinds of junk food. That should be okay for you, as children’s best interests are involved.
Safety and cleanliness
Since safety is a critical factor for all, check the following.
Ask to examine whether the center’s credentials and licenses are current, valid and good. Licensing regulations vary from state to state, but a childcare center cannot exist without some form of official sanction. Any hesitation on the part of the center in providing the documentation sought is a sign of weakness and secrecy. Remember to check the NAEYC’s database for accreditation of the center, and its conformity to state regulations on health and safety of kids and staff.
Healthy food
If the center has a food plan, check the kind of food served as snacks and meals, for values of nutrition, dietics and hygiene. Does the center take into account any food allergies a child may have and modify the menu accordingly for that child? If children have to bring their own food to the center, check the guidelines on dos and don’ts. Some centers may impose restrictions on candy and all kinds of junk food. That should be okay for you, as children’s best interests are involved.
Safety and cleanliness
Since safety is a critical factor for all, check the following.
- Are the smoke detectors functional?
- Are the fire extinguishers in place?
- Are the radiators and heater covers protected from accidental contact?
- Are first aid kits available?
- Is entry restricted for all strangers?
- Are all the normal childproofing systems (covered outlets, safety gates etc.) in place?
- If there is an outdoor play area, is it clean, level and fenced off?
- Are medicines and hazardous substances kept out of children’s reach?
- Is the bedding clean and fresh?
- Are broken germ-infested toys lying around?
Look for signs of lack of cleanliness and hygiene. Any place meant for children can never be completely tidy, but that does not imply it can be a terrible mess. Check whether classrooms, play areas, floors, walls and all entry and exit points are impeccably clean. Have a look at the pantry room, bathrooms and diaper changing stations to examine if they are potential hideouts for disease-causing pathogens. Are the staffs clean and well groomed to your satisfaction?
Caring staff
No safety precautionary measure is of any consequence if the staffs are unclean and disheveled. They should have received appropriate level of early childhood education and should have considerable experience in dealing with kids. In addition, they should have received sufficient training in emergency medical procedures like CPR. Find out discretely whether the first and foremost priority for the staffs is the safety and personal care of the kids.
The bottom line is that parental instincts are often more reliable in sensing issues than all known criteria of evaluation of a center. If you see red flags in respect of any aspect, you can think of other options. It is best to seek help from a reputed online service to find the best childcare center in your locality.
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