When you are on the hunt for a daycare, there are many things to consider. You want the best care and environment for your child, and you can find that if you know what to look for. Here are some important aspects of a daycare that you should keep in mind as you search. 

Staff Experience and Certification: One of the most telling aspects of a daycare's quality is how experienced and professional the staff are. Some daycares have a high turnover rate and hire inexperienced staff that will quickly move on. All this constant change can make a daycare's quality of care fluctuate, and it means that the staff will be less invested in your child. A good daycare has long term staff who want to stick around and who have the right certification and experience. You can ask to see the staff's certification, and you can ask about the turnover rate of the staff when you visit a daycare.

Staff to Child Ratio: When checking out a potential daycare, ask about the ratio of staff to children. The higher the staff to children ratio is, the more one on one attention your child will receive. Since children come and go at a daycare, you should ask how often this ratio changes. Some daycares have hard and fast rules about staff to children ratios so that your children will always have the care that they deserve.

Food: It is a good idea to see for yourself what your child will be eating at a daycare. A good quality daycare will offer healthy, balanced, and age-appropriate meals and snacks that are appealing, like fresh fruit and vegetables. If your child has any allergies, be sure to ask how the daycare will accommodate these and safeguard your child's safety.

How Staff Interacts with Children: When you are visiting a daycare, watch how the staff interact with the children. Are they cheerful and optimistic? Encouraging and kind? Or are they distracted or harsh? Make sure that the daycare will be a positive experience for your child. 

Cleanliness: Pay attention to how clean the playroom, toys, bathroom, and kitchen area are when you check out a daycare. Look for dust and grime, and ask about how the facilities are cleaned. A good daycare will be able to answer your questions and will address your concerns.

Private or Public?: A good daycare can provide quality care for your child in a safe and fun environment that will help your child develop and socialize. Private daycares often offer nicer facilities and better student to staff ratios. Parents also have a greater say in how things are run at a private daycare.

For more information, reach out to a local daycare.