THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHILDCARE
This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. However, all thoughts are my own.
Whether or not you’re a working parent, if child care is an option you’re exploring it can be seriously overwhelming. It’s also something you can’t take lightly, because after all… this is the place that will be taking care of your child while you aren’t there. This is the place that will be feeding them, teaching them, inspiring them while you can’t be.
When Emaline was 6 months old, I went back to work full time and especially with her medical condition, finding the right place for her was extremely important. Through that process, I learned what is truly important when trying to find childcare. And I wish I had known about QualityRated.org, because it is an incredible, free resource for Georgia parents that can help you find the child care services that are right for you.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHILDCARE:
LOCATION - First of all, where will you be coming from for drop off and pick up? Second; what will traffic be like at both times of the day? These are two extremely important things to consider when choosing child care. They will make or break your quality of life, trust me. Is it better to have a longer commute in the morning so that daycare is closer to your work, so that you have more time to pick her up in the evening? Or vice versa? QualityRated.org helps you search for child care along your commute route,
YOUR NEEDS - Do you need full-time childcare or just part-time?
BUDGET - What is the max you can spend a month on childcare?
EXPERIENCE - What type of childcare center do you want your kid in? One with a strict educational curriculum, or one that is a little more laid back? You want to VIBE with this place. You want to not worry all day in the back of your mind. Emaline used to be at a stricter educational institution which is important, don’t get me wrong, but now she’s at a place that feels a little more relaxed and more like family to me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Allowing children to learn through play is actually very important to their development and we love watching her imagination explode!
BELIEFS - A lot of preschools are based out of churches or other faith-based organizations, and a lot of preschools aren’t. If you choose one that is Christian-based are you okay knowing that your child will learn about the Bible? Or vice versa: If you choose a secular school/childcare, are you good knowing that your child may not learn about anything religious?
If you’re searching for the right place, go to QualityRated.org and use their search tool. They use a star-rating for child care programs based on whether or not they meet certain standards. I think this is SO neat and helpful and a fantastic resource!
