child care: finding the right fit

story by | laura lempe

It’s difficult to tell who is most stressed the first day you’re taking your child to a new child care center: you or your child. Questions bounce around in your head, “Will they provide really good care?” “Will they take time to learn about my child?” “Was this center the best choice?”

Choosing a child care facility is a big decision for parents, and may be the biggest they make in their young child’s life. The search can seem impossible with all of the different and excellent choices in the Fargo/Moorhead/West Fargo area, but it does not need to be overwhelming.

To begin the process, ask family, friends and co-workers for referrals. Keep in mind, a quality child care center will go above and beyond basic licensing requirements to meet the social, emotional and early learning needs of your child. The following tips will help guide you to a center that will be the right fit for your family: the initial phone call

Begin by asking about openings for your child. Then try the following questions.

• Can you tell me about your program?

• What makes it different or special from the other centers in the area?

• What makes the teachers/caregivers qualified to care for my child?

• How many teachers/caregivers will my child spend time with throughout the day?

• What is the daily/weekly/monthly rate for my child? Are you planning a rate increase in the near future? What does the rate include? Are there different fees charged throughout the year?

Gauge how you feel about the answers you’ve been given. If you feel good about what you’ve heard, ask to set up a tour. Also ask if there would be time on the tour to meet and talk with your child’s potential teacher. the tour

A top-notch director will take the time to show you around the entire child care center and encourage questions throughout the tour. As you take the tour, keep the following in mind.

• Are the spaces designed with children in mind? Tables and chairs, shelves, sinks and toys should be age appropriate and child-sized.

• Is there space for outdoor play? This space should have a variety of surfaces [grass, cement, wood chips, etc] and be large enough for the children to run, play and explore.

• Do classrooms have a variety of play areas? Take time to walk around the classroom. There should be soft spaces for relaxation, space for active play and different areas for learning to take place.

• Is there hands-on learning? You should see children actively learning by doing and engaging in play and exploration. For example in a quality classroom, children should be able to create in the art area, build with different types of blocks, and explore nature in the science area.

• Teacher-child interaction. You should see teachers/ caregivers getting down to the child’s level to talk to and encourage the children in play.

personal visit with teacher/caregiver

Meeting the teacher/caregiver is essential as they will be spending time with your child. Take time to ask questions:

• Tell me about the classroom management in your classroom. You may want to give different scenarios and ask what he/she would do in that situation.

• Tell me how you decide what the children will learn about or explore in your room.

• Is there anything else you would like me to know about your classroom or center? after the tour

Ask yourself this key question: Will my child be safe, happy and have fun learning? If your answer “yes,” you’ve found the right fit.

Nothing is more important than your child. Every child is unique and deserves the best possible care, so taking time to research and tour will help you find a comfortable, safe place for your child to be cared for, play and learn successfully and happily.

Elim Children's Center offers a Christian learning environment for ages two years to pre-kindergarten. The well-rounded preschool curriculum integrates important life skills into daily life and encourages respect and compassion for others. Call for a tour.

3534 University Drive S., Fargo, www.elimcare.org 701.271.1810