A good childcare program lays the foundation for later success in school. However, it’s important to know that the right program for one child may not be right for another—even for 2 children in the same family. Begin the search by thinking about what kind of setting best suits your child and your family’s needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll want to be sure that a childcare program has taken steps to help prevent spread of the virus. Check out this info from the American Academy of Pediatrics on what COVID-19 preventive measures to look for and ask about in childcare settings—from cleaning and disinfection procedures to safe distancing during group activities.
When choosing a program, find out the size of the program, its location, the number of days and hours offered, the availability of extended hours, how different ages are grouped, class size and cost. After deciding which type of program best meets your needs, visit more than one site so you can compare.
If looking at a childcare center, the following detailed checklist may be helpful.
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