Page 65 - Choosing a Child Care Center

CHOOSING A CHILD CARE CENTER

tolerate gossip, backstabbing, or rude behavior. Their
engagement with their staff and clients is proved by
how excited everyone is to recommend them.
The entire staff should all be on the same page,
have the same strong foundation of values, and be
unified in the culture of the center. When staff work
together and have a good professional relationship
with each other, everyone benefits. Knowing these
core values and agreeing with them will help you
choose one center over another. The overall experi-
ence, from how the teachers interact with the leader-
ship to how the staff interacts among themselves, and
how the children respond to the teachers, will give
you the vibe of the center and influence your decision
making. This is why visiting the center during the day
to observe the classes, children, and staff is so very
important. You need to experience the entire center
and ask questions to help you in the selection pro-
cess.
Staff are not the only ones who need to be on the
same page with the leadership and feel as if they are
contributing to the values and the way the center
runs. Family members should feel that way too. What
is the communication like between the center and
you? Are there regular surveys in place so you’re able
to make suggestions or point out problems? Does it
seem like your input would be valued and appreciat-

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