Page 38 - Choosing a Child Care Center

LETY CARVAJAL, M.ED.

assure yourself of some of this with a simple online
search. Find the school’s website and read about the
program’s history and philosophies. The best schools
will have been in business for several years and have
references or positive reviews online. An accredita-
tion, such as one from the NAEYC, is a reliable sign of
a high-quality center, though a center shouldn’t be
ruled out merely because it doesn’t yet have accredi-
tations. Another great aspect that many centers are
implementing now is a camera system connected to
an app, through which you’ll be able to check in on
your child throughout the day. This gives many
parents more peace of mind, and if it’s important to
you, find a center that offers this.
The most important tell of quality in a child care
center is the mission, values, and passion of the
owners, directors, and teaching staff. A great child
care owner isn’t in the business to make money; he or
she is there because they care about cultivating future
leaders and investing in the lives of the children in
their community. This strong passion should be
passed down to all the staff hired at the school. A high
-quality center will have directors who care about
those under their care and give them individualized
attention, teachers who are excited to come to work,
and families that rave about the center. A center with
a passion to encourage growth in your child will give
them the best possible care, caring for your child

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