September 22, 2023

5 Tips for Choosing a Child Care Centre

As a working parent, you know that one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing a childcare centre for your little one. You obviously want to choose what’s best for them – but there are just so many factors involved that it’s overwhelming! 

Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up five tips below that’ll help you get through the process. With these, you should easily find the right child care centre for your growing child.

1. Do your own research 

Don’t just rely on best-of lists online! If you know of other parents with children of similar ages or older, go ahead and ask for their recommendations. Chances are they have their own good (or bad) experiences to share about different centres. 

And if you’re new in town, you can check the listings of centres recommended by government agencies such as the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). You can also check with your OB-GYN or with fellow parents you’ve met during birth classes. 

Making a checklist can also help you narrow down your options. This checklist should consist of all of the most important qualities and factors for your consideration, such as location, accessibility, cost, schedule and more. This way, you see where your priorities are, making it easier to decide and look for options that are in line with what you need.

2. Plan a visit

Once you’ve shortlisted all the child care centres that you’d like to consider, set up a time to visit them. If you can manage it, try to do this unannounced – this way, you get a real, casual feel of what each centre is like during school hours. 

Aim to observe for at least 30 minutes and imagine your child in the setting. Would they be comfortable in that space? Would they be safe while also being allowed to grow? You can actually observe the children at the centre to make this easier. Do they look happy, engaged, and comfortable? 

Observing the teacher also helps. How do they approach the children? Are they attentive and responsive? You’re looking for teachers whose interactions with the children are warm, respectful, age-appropriate, and always at eye level. 

And last but not the least, check that the centre is clean, healthy, and child-safe for your baby.

3. Ask the right questions 

To get to know the childcare centre better, it’s important to ask comprehensive questions. Here are some of the most important questions you can ask the school for a start:

Question: What’s your cost (tuition, application fee, miscellaneous fees)?

If they’re way out of your budget, you can cross them off your list quickly and conserve energy that way. That being said, it’s best not to make the budget the main deciding factor when it comes to choosing a child care centre. 

After all, you still want to look for a high-quality childcare provider. When a child care centre is costly, it’s usually because they hire highly experienced and certified teachers to plan and conduct activities that will help in a child’s holistic development (check this, of course!). You also have to factor in the paraphernalia that the child care uses for their learning activities. Better, more cutting-edge tools tend to cost more!

Question: Is there a waiting list? 

Some child care, especially those targeted at infants and younger babies may have waiting lists. So if you have a younger child, it’s better to start looking earlier.

Question: What’s your accreditation? 

Now, it’s worth noting that this doesn’t directly affect your child: an accredited school doesn’t necessarily guarantee that your child will get the teacher’s full attention in the child care. However, as a parent, it can bring peace of mind when you know that your child’s school is of a higher standard, and is licensed and registered.

Question: What’s the teacher-to-child ratio? 

Babies and young toddlers need a lot of attention, and if a teacher has too many children to see to, that can result in one child not getting enough oversight or care. To ensure the utmost safety and support for your child, it’s good to know how the facility sets its limits for how many children each teacher has to look after. If you don’t know what a good ratio might be, the ECDA has set the teacher-child ratio for different age groups here.

Question: What’s your child care policy? 

It’s important to share the same parenting philosophies with your childcare provider on topics such as discipline. Do they do time-outs? How do they manage the children’s behaviour in class? 

Furthermore, you can ask questions such as: Is the TV used all day? What snacks do you provide? When are naps offered? If a baby is being fussy, how do you put them to sleep? If they diverge on too many things from your own policies, you may want to look elsewhere.

4. Know the warning signs 

Look out for any red flags such as children who may be unengaged or staff who don’t try to engage with the children. A lack of structure to the programme in the centre can also be a red flag. Check too that teachers are responsive to children’s requests. 

One of the warning signs that may be surprising to you is when the room is too clean and organised. While cleanliness is important and a must, children should be allowed to explore, play, pick up things, play with toys, create and investigate – in short, be active. So a little mess is good sometimes (and expected)!

Moreover, when looking at these signs, it’s important to trust your gut. It doesn’t matter that it’s a popular child care centre that everyone around you is raving about if you feel something’s off about it. Look elsewhere if something in you is saying it’s not right!

Remember, a child thrives (and deserves to be) in nurturing conditions. And if you think that the place isn’t for your child, explore other options until you find the one you feel most comfortable with.

5. Familiarise yourself with their programs and activities 

You should also ask what programs are currently being offered to the children. Take the time to find out what lessons are being taught and if they’re age-appropriate. Ideally, you want a good balance between learning and play.

Some centres may offer school-readiness programs and a variety of enrichment activities, which may be something that you want for your child. Another point you may want to check about is whether or not there’s regular feedback provided so you can keep track of your child’s progress.

Ready to explore? 

The tips above should give you an idea of how to find the best child care centre for your little one. And if you find yourself still struggling, try visiting one of our own centres to get an idea of what to look for. My Little Campus is trusted by many parents like you for several reasons, and seeing them for yourself can give you a good reference for what to seek.

Our curriculum has been specifically designed for all-rounded development, for instance, which ensures every part of children’s growth is accounted for. We prepare children not just to achieve academically but also to thrive in life’s many other endeavours, and that’s something you can look for in a centre.

In any case, you can also contact us to learn more. You can also register your interest in our own preschools and even schedule a tour of one of our centres, to see if it’s what your child needs!