As a parent, maybe you don’t know where to start or even begin? Maybe you’ve relied on your friend who’s been down the early education choice path with her kids already, but she is just as unsure as you are. And, let's face it: the parent grapevine is the first to notify you of the next greatest thing, or the one thing you should absolutely not do.
So how do you know you are making the right decision?
The resources to make the most educated decision are not readily available for parents: parents must take it upon themselves to research and make a decision for their child without help or support.
(With this being said, all the research in the world cannot open up childcare spaces in quality childcare programs that don’t have available child care spaces. But that is a problem for another blog to solve. )
As a parent looking to choose a child care centre, you might be thinking:
· Will I know when I tour a childcare facility what is acceptable, unacceptable, ethical or just plain awful
· What are the questions I should ask? I have no clue? I don’t have a childcare background. I'm not a teacher. I'm just a parent!
· What types of things should I look for when choosing a childcare setting?
· What types of things should I be aware of that would make me question my decision - my child will make a lot of friends, and I hate the idea of looking for child care. . .again
· Popular childcare trends seem to be what everyone is lining up for. . .they must know something I don't. If I don't get my child into the right program, they won't do well in school (and it will be all my fault).
· Montessori. Fine Arts. Traditional. Reggio. Core education. Foundational education. Waldorf. Learning framework. Best practice. Developmental periods. What does this all mean?
This blog can't make the choice for you - and can't fix the shortage of available spaces in great centres. But this blog can give you all the information you need to be an educated consumer of child care. You have the right - and responsibility - to be informed so that you can made an educated decision and be confident that it is the right decision.
Your child is prepared. Now it's your turn.
