Did you know that ninety per cent of brain development occurs within the first five years of life?
Since your child’s early years are so important for their growth, it’s essential that you enrol them in a nursery that can meet their particular needs. Even though it can be challenging to know how to find a suitable childcare facility, there are several things to consider so that it’s easier to make the right decision.
If you want to learn how to choose nursery care for your child, read on, and we’ll tell you what you need to know.
How to Choose Nursery Care: Do Some Research
Do some research on the internet and in your community to find out about the nurseries in your area. A great place to start is by reaching out to other parents in your neighbourhood to ask for recommendations.
If you don’t have many friends who are also parents, consider starting conversations with parents at your neighbourhood playground or park. You can also reach out to your paediatrician to determine if they know of any great nurseries in your area.
Make a List of Your Favorite Nurseries
When you find a nursery that you feel may be the right fit for your child, add the name and contact information to a list.
When you’re creating this list, it can also be helpful to write down important details about each facility, such as the cost, the hours that they provide childcare, and when they have availabilities for your child.
Try to limit your list to ten or fewer childcare facilities so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. Once you’ve finished making your list, make sure to rank them based on how well you feel they can meet your child’s needs.
You can then make a list of several questions you have that you’re unable to answer by visiting their websites.
Make Visits to Your Favorite Nurseries
Contact each of your favourite nurseries and make a plan to visit. When you visit, it’s a good idea to invite a friend to come with you who can help you make your decision.
When you visit different nurseries, several important things to look for. When choosing a daycare, it’s important to ensure that staff are well-trained and can respond to your child’s particular needs.
You should take notice if the facilities are clean, well-maintained, and welcoming for young children.
Since every nursery offers different kinds of daily activities, you should take notice of each facility’s daily routines. Do the facilities offer playtime, reading times, and nap times? Do they give children the opportunity to paint and draw?
Interview Staff Members
While visiting each nursery, make sure that you take a moment to speak with staff members. This will give you the chance to answer any questions you still have.
Consider asking about their child to staff ratios and how many children are in their care. You should also find out what training and qualifications staff members have. You might also want to find out about their discipline protocols, what kinds of food they serve, and their daily routines.
Verify the Nursery’s Quality
Most childcare providers that look after children under eight years old need to register with Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills).
This organization visits all childcare centres that register with them to make sure children are safe and that each centre meets its standards for quality of care. You can visit their website to find out what grade report they’ve given to nurseries in your area.
Choose a Daycare for Toddlers With the Right Staff Ratio
It’s very important that you choose a nursery with the right staff ratio. If there are not enough staff members available, your child won’t get the attention that they need. Check that there is enough staff present to assure the safety of all children who are in their care.
Make Sure the Nursery Serves Healthy Meals
It’s easy to overlook the importance of nutrition when choosing childcare for your toddler.
Young children need the right vitamins, minerals, and plant nutrients to be at their best. While at their nursery, your child will be learning throughout the day. This means that they’ll need to have enough energy and brain function to make the most of their experience.
This is why you should make sure that the nursery you bring your child to offers healthy daily meals containing ingredients from each essential food group.
Get References
Once you’ve found a nursery that you feel is right for your child, get in touch with other parents who have their children enrolled. If possible, get at least two references.
Ask about what they like and don’t like about the childcare facility and find out whether or not it’s a facility that they recommend. Lastly, take a moment to ask any remaining questions that you have.
Find the Perfect Nursery for Your Child
It can be challenging to figure out how to choose nursery care for your child. The first important thing to do is find out about childcare facilities in your area.
Once you’ve identified some of the best facilities, reach out to ask questions and schedule a visit. Before enrolling your child at a nursery, be sure to reach out to get references from parents whose children are enrolled.
If you want your child to attend a nursery school in Gillingham that offers parental support and exceptional childcare, consider enrolling them at Happy Bunnies. Don’t hesitate to book a visit today.
