Parents who are looking for childcare in milford CT have a lot of options. Not all of those options, however, are created equal. Choosing the right daycare or preschool for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent. Early childhood education sets the trajectory a child’s life will take, a fact supported by numerous studies showing more positive outcomes for children who received quality day care or preschool education.

Many parents are committed to enrolling their children in the best childcare preschools, but don’t know how to separate the good from the bad. In this article, we’ll provide a few pointers for parents trying to select great childcare programs.

A Great Childcare Facility Is…

1. Developmentally appropriate. This term is used in early childhood education to describe a program that is aware of child development and that has goals and procedures that correspond with the developmental levels of its students. In childcare programs, most students are no older than four years old. Developmentally, they are still building their concepts of the world through exploration. A high quality childcare program recognizes that developmental characteristic and provides a safe place for children to explore their environments with support. In practice, that means that the childcare facility allows children to learn through play. Not all of that play should be unstructured. Choice time is often used as well, during which children are supplied with multiple play based learning stations where they can practice their skills and further their development. Short bursts of group instruction utilizing read aloud story books and sing alongs are also developmentally appropriate.
2. Licensed. A quality facility is license by the state of Florida, demonstrating that it has fulfilled the training and safety requirements. Always ask to see proof of a facility’s licensing information before enrolling your child.
3. Concerned with safety and nutrition. If you’re going to entrust your child’s care to another person for a substantial amount of time, you should absolutely know that they’re caring for your child just as you would. Ask about safety guidelines, making sure that the building is secured against intruders and that safety protocols are in place for any outdoor ventures. If the preschool provides meals and snacks, ask to see a sample menu so that you can confirm the nutritional value of those provisions.
4. Clean. Preschools have the potential to be extremely germy. Young children aren’t necessarily excellent at cleaning up after themselves, and to compound that, aren’t very good at compensating for those behaviors in others. It’s up to daycare centers to make sure that everything is as bacteria free and safe as possible.
5. Qualified. Some facilities don’t hire genuine experts for their staff. Contrary to what some believe, a love for children is not enough to provide a superior learning experience in a childcare setting. Ask if the staff are trained in child development, classroom management, and educational psychology. Preferably, they should have degrees in early childhood education.

Don’t entrust the care of your child to a child care facility that is unqualified. Ask the important questions, take tours, and make your decision seriously and confidently. A child’s future is a terrible thing to waste.
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