9 things to observe when visiting a childcare center

Here are 9 thing you must consider when visiting a childcare provider:

1. Kids to teacher/caretaker ratio
   This ratio should not really be more than 5 to 1, ideally more in 3 to 1 range. The more the number of kids the more divided the attention from the provider.
   
   
2. Age groups of other kids vis-a-vis your kid
   A mixed age setting is actually good for your kid unless the gap is too much. But there should be kids of same age as your kid also.
   
3. Cleanliness and Safety - for e.g. are there cleaners lying around ?
   You would be surprised when you look at county audits of the licensed day care. One of the most common issues we have seen are where cleaning liquids were lying around in children's reach.
   
4. The toys, posters and other such kid items - how and where are they placed
   Toys, books and their condition tells a lot about kind of activities as well as discipline that the care take is able to maintain.
   
5. Is the care take CPR certified.
   In case your kid is an infant there is a separate Infant CPR - ask for the certificates. The certificate should not be expired.
   
6. Look at the sleeping arrangements for the kids
   Where do the kids sleep, is it comfortable, quiet and safe?
   
7. Presence/Absence of television
   Lost of provider keep television in the same area as the kids play. There is a just a greater tendency to use the television this way, especially in a mixed age setting.
   
8. Backup plans
   What happens when the provider has to take a vacation
   
9. Provider's flexibility
   Time and again you'll find you get late, or leave early. The kids get attached to providers, it's important to choose a provider who is flexible enough that you don't have to ask the kids to adjust to someone else also.