There can be absolutely no compromise when it comes to choosing a quality establishment to take care of your young children, and there are many places that will claim such quality. It’s therefore quite a challenge for some parents to differentiate between different places and really pick the place that offers all the best aspects of quality that they seek.
If this sounds like a situation you are facing, then below are some classic hallmarks of quality child care institutions. Look for as many of the following as possible, and wherever you can, ask them to provide evidence of how they meet or exceed that particular criteria.
1. Accreditations and Paperwork Are in Order
First and foremost, it’s essential that the facility is accredited, licensed, and has all its admin and key legal paperwork in order. One thing people tend to overlook is insurance, because if an establishment hasn’t bothered to look for an insurance provider for child care facilities, then they first could be open to all kinds of legal liabilities, but more importantly are demonstrating a total lack of basic responsibility.
2. Small Group Sizes
Establishments that organise students into small class sizes or groups, and those who place a strict limit on the number of students they can take in each year or semester according to attrition and free spots, are the ones that are invariably the best quality. Smaller groups means that the child care staff and/or teaching staff can focus more attention onto each child.
The more attention your child receives, the more work that child care and early years education professionals can put into discovering their strengths and weaknesses, and helping them strengthen in the key areas where they might be struggling.
3. High Education Level of Teachers and Staff
Look for places that hire teachers with at least a master’s degree, and where there is a good portion of teachers — though not necessarily a majority — with doctorates. A child care institution or early childhood education facility where Ph.D. holders are working and teaching will typically be on the forefront of pedagogical knowledge and practice. The staff are also far better at spotting and diagnosing learning difficulties when kids are younger, and forming strategies to help, all without needing to consult further outside expertise.
4. High Retention Rates of Teachers and Staff
If you meet with representatives from these establishments, always remember to ask them about their average staff retention rates. Places that retain teachers for longer do so because they treat them well, offer a great working and teaching environment, and have invariably empowered teachers to do more, be more innovative, and push students to achieve more even at a very young age. A place where teachers love to work is more often than not a place where students also love to learn!
As for how to measure a good retention rate, you want to aim for places that have retained current staff members for 4 or more years. Previous studies into this problem have revealed that between 30 and 50 percent of new teachers leave their role within the first 5 years. Therefore, places where teachers have already worked for 4 or more years is a good sign of pleasing retention.
5. Innovative and Well-Defined Ethos
Finally, when you’re reading about the child care centre, or early years education school, whatever it is, take time to read about their philosophy and ethos, too. If their principles and philosophy all sound a bit woolly and hard to understand, then it’s potentially a red flag. The best places always have a very clear mission and vision for what a good child care or education facility is. When you can follow it and get behind it, you might have just found the perfect place for your child.