For most parents, child care centres provide them with the convenience of knowing their children are in safe hands as they work. What most parents may not know is that the care their children receive at the child care centre plays a vital role in shaping their personality, creative skills and academic genius. As such, they must be cautious when choosing a child care centre. Below is a guide to help you choose a child care centre.
1. Curriculum
The school curriculum must be government approved. Besides, it should meet the following characteristics.
- It must allow the teacher to identify the individual needs of each student.
- The curriculum must be age-appropriate and progressive. Beginners should start with basic skills and advance to more sophisticated learning.
- It must be culturally and linguistically appropriate. Otherwise, learners will have a difficult time switching between the home and class environment.
- The curriculum should be evidence-based. Conduct some background research to know its effectiveness among other learners.
- The curriculum should have specific learning goals. For instance, some curriculums will be centred on honing creative skills, while others will improve classroom skills.
2. Teacher Experience
The childcare centre should have well-trained and highly experienced teachers. It is a guarantee that they can deliver the curriculum. Besides, you should also assess the centre's leadership. Remember, they will develop and examine the effectiveness of the various teaching strategies.
3. Physical Environment
The child care centre should have a friendly environment. Children are known to be curious. Therefore, the child care centre should provide them with toys and playing equipment that can help trigger their critical thinking skills. Besides, the centre's program should allow children to socialise. The child care centre must be safe. Take a tour to check the hygienic standards observed in the washrooms, kitchen and classrooms. Inspect the centre for faulty swings, slides and toys that could cause accidents.
4. Family Engagement
The child care centre should encourage family involvement in the child's school life. Parents and teachers should meet regularly and discuss the child's progress at the facility. For example, teachers can inform parents if the child has a childhood disorder such as anxiety or conduct disorder. Besides, the teacher can provide a few tips on how the parent can help promote the child's creative skills. On the other hand, the parent could inform the teacher of any issues that he or she has identified in the child. For example, some children can become aggressive or withdrawn.
When choosing a childcare centre, examine its curriculum, the experience of teachers, the physical environment and the family engagement strategies.
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