36 THE QUEENS COURIER • KIDS & EDUCATION • AUGUST 30, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
kids & education
How to Find the Right Preschool
Things to consider when researching child care providers
Finding the right preschool or care provider
for your child doesn’t have to be a
daunting process. Because your child’s
early years are crucial in his or her development,
choosing the right child care
facility is one of the most important decisions
you can make to prepare him or her
for both school and adult life.
While most parents start the process by
asking friends and family for recommendations,
keep these tips from the child
care experts at KinderCare in mind when
searching for a child care center:
Find Locations Along Your Existing
Commute. Th e rhythm of drop-off and
pick-up will soon become a reality of
your days, so take into account how a
new routine will impact traffi c and drive
times during your commute. Looking
into child care facilities near your home
or offi ce, or along your route, can be a
sanity saver, especially on those mornings
when you’re rushing out of the
house behind schedule.
Do Your Research. Child care has
come a long way in the past couple
decades, and nationally accredited centers
like KinderCare can provide everything
your child needs to reach his or her
potential. Awarded by an independent
organization, the National Association
for the Education of Young Children,
accredited centers meet rigorous standards
in everything from teacher qualifi -
cations to curriculum to safety. A simple
search online can provide a list of accredited
centers near your location of choice.
Make a List of Requirements. Before
you tour a facility, it can help to fi nd
your focus. Make a list about what you
need from a program, what you want
for your child and any concerns you
may have, no matter how large or small.
For example, consider potential concerns
like kindergarten preparation, teachers’
management of confl ict between children
and more. Use your preferences to
guide conversations when you’re ready
to take tours.
Take Tours. Once you’ve narrowed
down your list to a few preferred facilities
or programs, schedule tours to check out
the spaces, meet the directors and watch
how the teachers interact with the children.
Keep your requirements in mind
and look for clean, safe facilities that
focus on nutrition and encourage exploration
and reading while building a sense
of belonging. If you’re still on the fence
or need more information about one or
more centers, don’t be afraid to go back
for a second visit and ask more questions
to ensure you’re picking the right place
for your family.
Trust Your Instincts. Aft er taking
tours, you may have a lot of information
to process. Narrowing down what’s right
for your family can seem overwhelming
at fi rst, but asking yourself questions such
as these can help you in the long run: Did
you feel listened to, heard and understood?
Was the center warm and welcoming?
When in doubt, trust your gut. Th is
is your child, aft er all, and you know him
or her best.
Find more tips and information to
help pick the perfect child care center at
kindercare.com.
Courtesy Family Features