It’s never easy to entrust your child’s safety and well-being to another person, but for many parents, day care is a necessity. When searching for a day care facility, there are many factors to take into consideration, including distance to your house and drop-off/pick-up options. Here are four of the most important questions to ask when selecting a day care. 

4 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Day Care 

1. Are They Licensed & Accredited?

Licensure indicates the day care facility satisfies the legal requirements to operate. The center should also be accredited by the state, which ensures the curriculum meets state educational standards. Furthermore, all staff should be certified in CPR and First Aid in case of emergency. 

2. How Experienced Are the Teachers?

Day care teachers should be knowledgeable in early childhood development and experienced in working with children. Ask prospective day cares about their educational philosophy and their perspective on early childhood care. Inquire about what training or certifications teachers are required to have as well. This will help you ensure your child gets the most of their time in day care. 

3. What Is the Adult-to-Child Ratio?

Ask about the adult-to-child ratio. If the facility is overcrowded, your child may not get the attention they need. With very young children, there should never be more than 10 to one adult. The whole group should be no more than 30 at once. 

4. Are Facilities Clean & Orderly?

Take a tour of the facilities before enrolling your child. This gives you an opportunity to look around and ensure it’s clean, organized, and kid-friendly. There’s bound to be an assortment of toys and learning implements throughout the facility, but it should be sterile and orderly to a certain degree. If it seems excessively dirty or messy, it’s probably not an ideal environment for your child. 

In addition to the above factors, make sure the day care center has a good reputation in the community. Over the Rainbow Kids Place in West Henrietta is one of New York’s most respected day care and early childhood education centers. Caring for children six weeks to 12 years old, they provide a variety of early childhood development programs. Call (585) 334-2530 to speak with a friendly staff member or visit the website to learn more about their facility and curriculum.