Are you searching for a childcare? There are a lot of great options.
How can you find a daycare or preschool?
- Use Larimer County Child Connect tool by Early Childhood Council to find preschools that are close to your home, your work, or along your route to work.
- If you are not sure of what philosophy you have about child care or preschool, visit my guide "From Public To Montessori, What Types of Schools Are There? " NOCO Has a Diverse Educational Culture this guide will help you choose the best fit for you and your child.
- Take a list of questions to ask and things to consider when meeting with your potential caregiver. I have a list of questions in "Top 40 Questions to Ask Prospective Preschools & Private Schools."
- Schedule a visit with your child so you can see how your child feels in the preschool and how staff relates to your child.
- Determine if you want to participate in UPK Colorado; if so, apply to one of the following:
Larimer Early Childhood Council of Larimer or call 970-377-3388
Weld United Way of Weld County or call 970-353-4307
Remember you don't have to do UPK if you are not interested.
I suggest visiting any caregiver that you are interested in so you can get a feel for the place and so your child can be comfortable with them.
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Observe
I know you can't judge a book by its cover, but first impressions do matter. Especially with your child's impression of the preschool, daycare and the caregiver. Trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right it's not a good fit.
- Does the caregiver focus on you only or did they acknowledge your child to?
- Is your child having a positive interaction with the caregiver?
- If other children are around, how do they interact with your child?
- How does the caregiver/teacher interact with the other children and how do they react to the caregiver?
- Does the caregiver/teacher get at eye level to talk or interact with them?
- Does the caregiver/teacher appear responsive?
- Does the caregiver/teacher actively listen?
- Does the caregiver/teacher use positive language?
- What is the atmosphere like? Loud, quiet, interactive, individualistic, well-lit or dark?
- What kinds of learning toys and age-appropriate materials are around?
- Where can your child have quiet time or naps? Is the area clean and safe?
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Ask Questions
- Does the caregiver/teacher welcome questions? Do they fully answer your questions or do they divert to another subject?
- What is the school’s teaching philosophy?
- What is the school’s approach to children’s behavior and discipline?
- How do the schools’ activities help to promote social-emotional and intellectual growth to stimulate creativity?
- Is there space and materials to promote a wide range of developmental activities like fine motor skills (holding things like cups and crayons) and full expression of their body movements (like dancing and running)
- How does the teacher support individual children in their individual learning levels?
- Where does your child get to keep their special things?
- How does the school communicate with families and how often?
- Can you visit the classroom at any time? If not, why not?
- Get references of parents who currently have a child in the school, as well as parents whose children have graduated to kindergarten. This will show you how well the children transitioned from preschool to kindergarten.
You can find more questions in my 40 questions article.
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