An effective daycare care center will have the proper license and credentials to run the facility. While each state has its own set of rules, most day cares are required to pass an inspection for health and safety issues. If the facility passes these requirements, it will be awarded with an up-to-date license. The license lets parents know the facility is clean and safe for their children. It is also important to receive some type of accreditation from a well-known early childhood program, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Having solid credentials shows parents the facility has undergone and passed rigorous guidelines.
Individuals who work in a day care facility need to be properly trained. They should have a background in early childhood education and be certified in CPR and first aid. The staff should be caring, affectionate and loving in nature. They should also be responsible, energetic and well-organized. Prior to hiring employees, an effective day care center will perform criminal background checks on its employees and verify they were properly trained. Day care centers that hire untrained staff will not be as successful as the ones that do.
No one wants to leave her child in a day care center that appears dirty. To keep a facility running smoothly, a thorough inspection of all play equipment and toys needs to be performed on a regular basis. Toys that are broken need to be thrown out, and equipment that need repairs should be fixed promptly. Effective day care centers provide children with age-appropriate toys, and the staff watches them closely throughout the day to ensure their safety. A good day care center also cleans its facility on a daily basis. Staff members will make sure the garbage is emptied and the floors are cleaned. Having a clean, safe environment makes the center more welcoming for both parents and children.
When running a day care center, it is important to set ground rules. If rules aren't established, safety and other problems can quickly arise. Good day care centers will have a "rules and regulation" booklet or handout to give to parents when they enroll their children. These booklets will answer questions and concerns parents may have, and let them know the policies implemented by the school. The rules and regulations booklet should include the operating hours of the school, sick-children policies and actions in case of an emergency. Implementing ground rules lets parents know the day care center cares about the well-being of their children.
A good day care center will have a detailed curriculum implemented by the school. The curriculum should include group activities, quiet time, physical play, centers, mealtime and nap. Children should be given an hour to perform each one of these activities before moving on to the next. Setting a daily routine for the kids will give them security and let them know what to expect on a day to day basis.