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Are you a first-time parent in Tempe, Arizona who is finding it hard to leave your new baby with strangers? I’ll tell you it doesn’t get any easier as they grow up but in today’s world both mom and dad have to work so choosing a child care center will be something you will have to do. A good child care center is invaluable so some prep work is needed to ensure you pick the right place for you and your little one. Knowing what questions to ask and what to look for in the center is key! Luckily there are many options available for you, just make sure to follow these tips when you choose the right child care center for your baby!
Do Research
Browse on the internet or look around Tempe for childcare providers. You can get recommendations from family and trusted friends for the best providers/centers in town by asking them about their experiences in leaving their little ones at daycare. You might also want to ask your obstetrician or family doctor for recommendations and always make sure to check the reviews about the center from previous clients to be on the safe side.
Do Interviews
You can do a phone or face to face interview and make sure to ask lots of questions, they are used to it. There are times when the opening hours of the center do not match with your work hours so you can start removing some centers off your list pretty easily at this time. Ask about tuition fees, waiting lists and about their accreditations, licenses and qualifications. Accreditations are very important so make sure you take your time and don’t forget about this step! You should also get specific details about the guidelines in handling ill kids and the snacks/meals involved for each specific age group.
Check the Facility Personally
You need to drop by in person and see the facility yourself. You can schedule a tour with the child care center but I suggest dropping by unannounced as well to see how they are conducting their business when no one is expected! See if the place is clean and check how the staff are handling the babies in their care. Look for signs if the kids there are happy and the if the environment is stimulating enough. Check if the toddlers are separated from infants. Double-check if the doors are constantly locked to prevent the children from leaving and strangers from wondering inside.
Questions to ask
Hours – Ask about the hours available, how late can you pick your kids up and if they cater to holidays in Arizona and across the US. Also check if they are available on weekends or even on vacations.
Services – Ask about the specific services involved. Check if they do diaper change often, the activities they have in store for children and the all specifics involving your child.
Training and Qualifications – Know if the staff or the childcare providers have certificates and if they are accredited by the state. They should have at least more than 5 years experience and they should know how to handle infants and kids of all ages.
Communication Channels – Ask whether the childcare center will provide feedback and updates about your baby throughout the day and how they communicate that to you. See to it that you will be contacted in case of emergencies.
Healthcare Providers – Check if a doctor and nurse are constantly on duty and available and if they will help if your child is sick or hurt. If they don’t have a doctor/nurse based in their facility the national standard requires that the center be visited at least twice every 3 months to make sure that everyone is up-to-date with their latest vaccines and news about health.
Ensure the Safety of your Little One
Safety is an utmost priority and you should find a center that can ease your worries. Aside from the above questions you should check other factors such as visiting policies, training, staffing, safety precautions and anything else on your mind. The list above is not comprehensive and you should do more research to find the perfect childcare for your baby in Tempe, Arizona.
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