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Daycares are a godsend for busy parents who just don’t have the time to mind children during the day. What with the cost of living so high, most households are dual-income or even multi-income families. Daycares, therefore, are welcome additions to society, giving parents some free time to work hard for their children’s future. As with anything related to your child, the daycare center you enroll him in should be chosen carefully. It can literally help form the foundations of his academic and social life. After all, this is the formative period and what he sees and learns here can set the groundwork for the kind of adult he turns out to be. Search in advance Don’t leave daycare hunting for the last minute; even if you plan to start work in the next two months, start searching now. Ask family and friends who have children to recommend a daycare. They can give you first-hand information on how efficient the caregivers are and how well their kids adjusted to time away from their parents. Adult to child ratio The same way classrooms with too many children can’t enjoy the full benefits of personal attention, daycares with too few teachers to attend many children won’t be able to provide the same level of care. The age of your child will determine what the ratio should be. Babies and toddlers can’t do with a ratio higher than 1:4 where one adult caters to four babies/toddlers. Children around the age of four, meanwhile, should be enrolled in centers where the ratio is not more than 1:10. Aside from ratio, the number of kids in the classroom should be small. Even if there are five adults for every 25 children, the atmosphere will be more chaotic than a class that has two adults for every 10 kids. Children can get easily overwhelmed if there are too many people so settle for a daycare where the number of children is fewer. Activities and tools How does the center plan to integrate new admissions into existing classes? How does it aim to enhance cognitive, motor and spatial skills in first-timers who’ve never been away from their parents? What about toilet teaching? All these questions and more must be answered so that your child learns to like being in daycare. You don’t want to deal with separation anxiety a month after enrolling him. How often are parent-caregiver meetings held? Parent-caregiver meetings are all-important because they’re the only connection you have to understanding just how well your child is doing. The information shared can also give you the tools to help your child grow academically and socially while the caregiver will use your insights into how to make your child associate with peers better and develop necessary skills faster. Caregivers’ qualifications Just like how teachers in schools and universities must be properly qualified, daycare caregivers must be trained in the science of dealing with children. Hands-on experience is crucial as every child is different. Those who undergo regular workshops and refresher courses to hone their skills should be preferred. Center’s reputation and accreditation Worthwhile daycare centers come recommended and have excellent reputations. They’re also accredited by national governing bodies and licensed to practice. Such centers have high standards to live up to and are closely monitored to ensure they remain at the top. Leaving your child at a daycare center can tough on any parent. Every parent therefore must look into the safety standards, adult to child ratio, availability of a doctor on the premises, etc. while choosing from the various day cares in Mississauga. For more tips on choosing the best day care for your toddler, click here.
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