Different families will have varying priorities they’re looking at when they’re considering daycare programs, and one of the most common separation factors here is child age. One great example here is infant children, whose parents will often be looking for very different things in a daycare program than, say, a 2-year-old.
At Smart Kids Development Center, we’re proud to offer quality child care programs for families around Salt Lake City and Taylorsville, including for ages ranging from infants and toddlers up to 2-year-olds, preschoolers and even school-age and kindergarten programs. For parents specifically of infant children, this two-part blog series will go over some of the top priorities to be thinking about in your search for the ideal daycare program.
Naturally, because infants are in a fragile state of their lives and development, perhaps the most important consideration for daycare programs is safety. This means more than just codes and regulations – it also means a focus on consistent supervision, safe play areas and proper communication with parents.
When you visit potential daycare centers, be sure to ask about their safety policies and practices. This includes things like staff-to-child ratios, background checks for employees, emergency procedures, and even smaller details such as how they handle food allergies and sanitation practices.
The safety conversation also ties into your due diligence when it comes to the quality of caregivers at a daycare center. Specifically, be sure to look for programs where the staff is well-trained, educated in early childhood development, and able to spot potential issues or warning signs with infants.
It’s also worth reviewing any specific certifications or accreditations the daycare center has, such as a state license and training in basic first aid and CPR for infants.
Another major priority for infant daycare centers should be an environment that encourages collaboration and personal attention between caregivers and families. At Smart Kids, we believe in building positive relationships with both parents and children to help nurture their growth during these early years.
This can include things like open communication policies, plenty of opportunities for parent involvement, and even the ability to tailor programs or schedules to meet the specific needs of your infant. Be sure to ask about these factors when you visit potential daycare centers.
Whether we’re talking about safety or any other area, it’s important to find a daycare program with policies that are easy-to-understand and transparent. This means clear communication regarding fees, schedules, and any other expectations for parents.
It also includes things like the way they handle sick children or vacation time, so be sure to ask about these details when you’re speaking with caregivers. It may be helpful to have written policies available for reference as well.
In part two of our series, we’ll go over even more top priorities for infant daycare programs and what you should be looking for. If you’re a parent searching for the right infant daycare program, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our experienced team at Smart Kids Development Center is dedicated to providing quality care and support for your little one.
