It is not that easy to find a suitable childcare place in a daycare center. And what does “suitable”
childcare actually mean? What are our needs and what should we pay attention to when choosing a
daycare center? What is important? Anyone who deals with the topic of choosing a daycare center for
the first time has many questions like this. That’s why we’ve put together some tips for you to make
your daycare search easier.

Children spend a lot of time in daycare. Parents should therefore think carefully about what is important
to them about childcare. Where would our child feel most comfortable? In our opinion, this is the central
question or the most important criterion of all. And we’ll also talk about the best way to find out.

But what use is the best daycare center if it is not accessible? It can therefore make sense to first look at
the general conditions, even if they are not the main focus.

To do this, you should first ask yourself the following:

• Who will bring the child to daycare and who will pick them up? And what time?
• Should the daycare center be close to home or work?

You can then start researching online, ask friends or the community and see which daycare centers are
available in the desired location and take a closer look at what they offer on their website.

You should then pay attention to other general conditions and clarify for yourself:

• Is the daycare easy to reach by public transport, bike, or on foot? Is there parking?
• Can daycare hours and company holidays be reconciled with our working hours?
• How much can the daycare cost?

In order to get a good impression of the possible facilities, a viewing should be arranged next. It’s best to
take a closer look at the website before visiting and prepare a few questions. The more you ask and talk to
those responsible, the more you will get a feel for the facility and the support staff. Pay attention to how
you are received at the appointment, how your questions are answered, and how the staff treats the
children present.

How do you find out whether the daycare center suits your needs or the child?

In order to better assess the quality of the facility and find out whether the daycare is right for you and
your child, we recommend discussing the following in more detail with those responsible and finding out
more about the following:

● Pedagogical concept (values, methods, care principles)

What does the daycare center’s pedagogical concept look like, what are the care principles and do these fit
with your own educational principles?
This also includes the question of how the daily routine is structured. So are there certain rituals and
activities that are integrated into the day or topics that are taken up with the children?
It may also be interesting to see how the caregivers maintain contact with the parents and whether or how
often there is a regular exchange about the child’s well-being.

● Settling in

What does settling in look like? Is there a permanent caregiver at the beginning? How much time is
planned for acclimatization?
An adjustment period is important so that the child can first build trust in their new carers before they stay
alone in daycare for the first time. During the adjustment phase, the child initially visits the daycare center
with one parent and then gradually stays there unaccompanied for longer and longer periods of time.

● Sympathy/impression of the staff

Do the employees seem friendly and competent? How do caregivers handle things that are important to
you? For example, how are quarreling children dealt with? Are there rules when it comes to eating etc.?
How is the staff further trained?

Further points can be:

Rooms and atmosphere of the facility: Are the rooms in the daycare set up in a child-friendly
way, i.e. are there a lot of different play materials so that the children can have a variety of
experiences? Are these functional and accessible to children? Are there different areas for
activities as well as opportunities for retreat and relaxation? Can the children live out their urge to
move? What outdoor spaces are there (garden, park, playgrounds) and what do the children do
outside?

Food and drink offerings: Is there a varied menu plan? Does this correspond to your ideas about
a healthy diet for children? What drinks are offered? Do parents have to bring anything with
them?

Additional offers (forest days, language support, yoga, etc.): What additional offers are there
that are important to you?

By visiting and exchanging ideas with those responsible for the various facilities, you get a good
impression of the different daycar e centers and usually quickly sense which daycare center you have a
good feeling at and the necessary trust to have your child looked after.

If you are looking for a daycare center in Ohio, you can consider Pooh Bears Hunny Stop. With
specialized programs from infants to preschoolers, experienced caregivers, and a focus on comprehensive
development, we’re here to support your family’s needs. Visit us now and learn how we can make a
difference in your child’s early years.