What defines a good childcare?

A parent’s mind is constantly filled aspirations for their little one, including the desire to provide the best from the very start of their life. A childcare is central to this aspiration – the right one lays the foundation for a beautiful tomorrow.

It is widely accepted that children who go to childcares foster enhanced cognitive and language development. Children from high-quality childcare settings also exhibit less impulsivity, have a more advanced expressive vocabulary and portray greater social competence. The benefits are not confined to the cognitive realm either — the social fabric of a

child’s life is enriched through improved independence, concentration and sociability as they transition into school life.
Now that we have established the benefits of childcare, how can you find one that is right for your child? What constitutes a good or high-quality childcare? In this blog we explore attributes you should look out for in a childcare.

Look for happy kids
You’ll feel it right when you walk in the door. In this situation, first impressions really are everything. Does it seem like a vibrant, clean, fun space for your child? Do you see happy, engaged children with a myriad of activities and projects around them? Do they seem responsive to their caregivers? Are they being heard? Are they being allowed a voice in what they choose to do?

If you can see your child standing in the middle of childcare, stomping off to the next play thing, you know the place is right.

Physical environment and facilities
Does the centre feel warm and welcoming? Is there sufficient light and spaces indoor and outdoor? Is the centre clean and hygienic in its practices? Is the environment stimulating?
Pay special attention to use of natural materials. With their varied textures and forms, natural materials offer a rich sensory experience, fostering a direct connection with the environment. Meanwhile, outdoor spaces provide a venue for play, exploration and the underrated joy of just being in the open air. At Nature’s Point, connection with nature – through materials indoor and an extensive outdoor activity schedule – ensures an enriching start to its children.

Educators
How do you assess the adults in the room? First, make sure they have the basics in terms of certification and training. Listen to how the teachers or caregivers interact with the children and take note of their body language. Are the teachers talking respectfully to children at children’s eye-level? Keep an eye on the number of teachers in the room compared to children – low ratios mean a teacher is able to provide sufficient time for your child.

Also ask about staff turnover – a high-quality centre has low staff turnover, showing they care for their teachers and feeds into consistent care for your child through their time at the centre.

Safety and nutrition
Great daycare centers go above and beyond to ensure children’s safety. This includes childproofing, food safety practices, a well-kept and maintained play space with sets of toys (making sure none of have been recalled) and constant supervision.

If the childcare provides food, ask about where the food is prepared and its nutritional value. Nutritious food fuels little bodies and curious minds, providing the energy required to explore, learn and play.

Licensed centres only
Ensure that the childcare you are considering has the required licences to operate by the Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office (ERO). You can ask a centre or the ERO for a centre report to see how they fare against early learning standards set by the government.

Established policies and clear rules
Great daycares have written-down, well-established operating policies for small things like when they do circle time to more crucial rules like how to handle sick children or emergency situations. You don’t want a place that’s so inflexible you can’t do something like pack a special meal for your child, but you also don’t want one that’s so loose with their rules and policies that it can be confusing or feels unsafe.

A varied curriculum driven by children
Excellent early care and education programmes allow for children to be invested in the materials and their learning. Skilled teachers balance important learning outcomes with children’s natural interests – it is about providing children the space to choose their own learning experiences.

Final thoughts on good childcare…
At its core, a childcare is about creating a nurturing haven where children can flourish, where their days are filled with exploratory joy, meaningful connections and a feeling of safety. No early childhood centre is perfect, but finding one that checks all the crucial boxes is imperative.