It is a major emotional decision to put your little one in a daycare facility. You feel guilty about leaving your child in the care of someone that is not family. However, sometimes you have no choice but to do it.
Choosing the right daycare is an overwhelming task. You want to best daycare for your child to ensure that they get personal care and attention just like in a home environment. Here are some useful tips to help you find the right one.
Infrastructure and Amenities
Visit the daycare and take a tour of the premises on a working day. Look around and observe other children. Observe how the caretakers are interacting with the kids. Are they fun and friendly or rude and affectionless? This will give you a good idea of whether your child will be comfortable and happy there.
The space should be colourful, well-lit and adequately ventilated. It should have kid-friendly furniture and washrooms. It should have ample toys, games and learning resources to engage the little ones. An open-air playground with swings and slides is a bonus.
Check for the amenities such as a drinking water station, kitchen equipment and sleeping arrangement (for naps). If you want the daycare to provide meals and transport facilities, inquire about that too.
Safety and Security
A daycare with a safe and secure environment will give you the utmost peace of mind as a parent. Find out if the daycare has incorporated the following safety measures:
- Safety locks, guards, gates and harnesses for furniture, electronics, staircase, doors, windows and cupboards as applicable
- Locked and restricted storage areas for cleaning supplies, medicines and other hazardous materials
- A fence around the playground
- CCTV cameras
- Quality and hygiene of toys (clean and unbroken, no sharp edges)
Management and Staff
Do some research on the founders/management team and staff. They should have the necessary professional certification and training in childcare. They should be well-qualified to run a daycare facility and take of children.
You should also find out if they are equipped to tackle emergencies, especially those that need medical supervision. Can they administer first aid and CPR or handle incidents such as falls, burns, choking, etc?
Reputation
Unfortunately, there is a lack of ambiguity in regulatory guidelines for daycares in India. Hence, you have to be careful whether the daycare has the necessary compliances and licenses to be operational.
You should check for online revives or get first-hand parent reviews. Ideally, choose a daycare that is tried and tested or recommended by someone you know.
Activity Plan
Whether your child is an infant or a toddler, they need encouragement to achieve their developmental milestones. This can happen only when people around them interact and play with them.
Check what kind of a routine the daycare follows in terms of activities, creative free play and outdoor play to engage children.
Proximity
It is advisable to choose a daycare that is located close to your home or office. This way, you can pick up and drop off your kid easily without wasting time commuting. Moreover, you can easily reach your child if there is an emergency.
Click here to explore daycare facilities in Pune.
