Are you planning to enroll your child in daycare? At this point, you might be clueless about daycare facilities, especially if it’s the first time you’re looking into them. You need to find the right child care facility that will suit your child’s needs, which is why you need to be equipped with all the correct information. With that, here are some of the things you should know about daycare centers:

There Are Different Types Of Day Care

There are a couple of options you need to think over thoroughly to find the best child care facility for your little one. First, there are group daycare centers where kids of varying ages are looked after in groups. Second, there are in-home daycare facilities, which involve your child being taken to the home of the provider.

Keep in mind that not all states require in-home daycare providers to carry a license. That means if you’re considering the second type, research the regulatory requirements before you send your child to that establishment.

It’s Less Expensive Than Hiring A Nanny

Hiring a nanny has its perks. Your child gets to stay at home where they are most comfortable and safe. However, it’s more costly. Therefore, if you need somewhere to leave your child and allow them to socialize and learn new things, a daycare facility is a more affordable solution.

Some Centers Can Accommodate Your Schedules

Some daycare facilities are open for about 12 hours to support a variety of parent schedules. Therefore, if you often have busy workdays, you need to find a daycare that can accommodate you.

There’s More Than One Caregiver

Daycare facilities are not handled by only one caregiver. There are multiple caregivers in the establishment who help each other out during each session. Kids can get rowdy, so it’s essential to have more than one person keeping an eye on them. The number of staff in the facility depends on the number of kids they take in.

Now that you know some of the most vital things about child care facilities, it’s important for you to do your homework. Research properly, and get recommendations from other parents and your pediatrician if you can. See to it that you screen centers over the phone. If the staff isn't welcoming, it’s best to scratch that center off your list right away.

It’s equally important to check each facility in person once you have narrowed down your choices. Trust your gut—if it doesn’t feel right to you, it probably isn’t right for your child. You should check for references as well, and take the time to call former and current clients and ask about their experience with the facility. It also won’t hurt to drop by the facility unannounced to get a more accurate picture of what it’s really like when the staff isn’t prepared.

Last but not least, make sure that the day care center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Have your child taken care of only by the best. Here at Little Steps Daycare, we are always ready to attend to the various needs of your child while you’re away. Contact us today to learn more about our services.