River Leone Forni von Stoddard attends a home daycare program, along
with a separate preschool center.
Selecting the right childcare for your little one can feel
overwhelming. What is the difference between daycare, nursery school and
preschool, anyway?
As you begin your search, consider your child's age and needs to meet
the level of care and programming required. Here is a breakdown of the most
important things to consider:
Daycare centers provide staff and structure like a classroom. The size
and location of a center may make a difference for your child. A daycare center
may have larger staff-to-student ratio than home-based site and provide
learning centers, story time and snacks or meals. Daycare in a home may be less
structured than those in centers and provide more individualized time with
fewer children.
Whichever location you chose, be sure the provider is licensed and
insured. A license does not guarantee quality of care but ensures a level of
oversight by a state or county agency and staff training. At minimum, daycare
providers should be certified in child/infant CPR and first aid and undergo a background
check (including family members for in-home day care providers).
Isabelle Dichiara of LaGrangeville, NY, narrowed her choice for her
three boys by researching options.
"I had no idea whether I wanted a daycare near home or work, a
center or a private home or even a nanny," she said. "I contacted my
local childcare council to talk through my options, locations, types, etc. I
used that list to call about space and price and make visits."
The terms’ nursery school’ and ‘preschool’ are often used interchangeably.
While both provide structured learning environments for children ages 3-5, some
nursery schools also offer infant care for younger siblings. The teaching staff
should be certified or at least trained in teaching methods and early childhood
development and have proven experience working with children in an educational
setting.
For now, freelance photographer
Silvia Forni of Red Hook , NY, said her son, River, 21 months, attends both a
home daycare and preschool. "We are still in between, but probably will
choose the preschool," she said. "We like the idea that it's more
structured; they do draw time, music, crafts, and it is bigger."
READ MORE: Helping young children reach developmental milestones
Select a regulated school that fits your child. Relying on
word-of-mouth recommendations from other parents is helpful, but doesn't always
reflect appropriate accreditation. Check for a license through the New York
database (see box), and visit the school while class is in session to observe
staff interactions and the overall classroom management. You may also see how
discipline is handled, the types of snacks or meals provided and if the
school's philosophy aligns with your child's needs.
Sharon Laidlaw of Glenford, NY, carefully onsidered what she thought
would be the best fit for the personality and learning style of her son, Lucas,
now 11.
"His first program (ages 3-4)
was very play based and (included) lots of time outside," she said.
"It was important to us that there was an emphasis on hands-on learning
and plenty of time (for him) to explore materials at his own pace."
For more information on daycare center, nursery schools and preschools in New York State, visit:
• NYS Division of Childcare Services
• NYS Education Department
Safety and security are of paramount concern. Bring a checklist of
questions during your visit to a center or school. Ask what security measures
are in place for drop off and pickup, if there are classroom cameras and if
procedures for fire/safety drills are documented.
New York State has specific regulations regarding staffing, so ask for
the school's staff-to-child ratio to ensure that your child has appropriate
supervision. Also find out how providers communicate with parents during the
day. For instance, will they chat with you daily during pickup, or use a secure
chat service to send you text messages or photos of your child?
Consider how the school pace is maintained and organized. Disorganized
piles of materials, dirty bathrooms and a lack of childproofing can be big
safety concerns. Alison McBride of Stone Ridge is a mother of four who
researched options for her children's daycare. "I think it's important to
find a daycare that appears clean and safe for your child," she said.
"Happiness of the staff when you go for a tour (is also important) and ask
if there's a high turnover rate for staff. Many places look really nice but if
they are constantly getting new staff something isn't right. Your kids deserve
to be around happy people."
Enrollment cost can vary greatly. Private daycares may charge an hourly
or daily rate while daycare centers and preschools typically charge a flat
tuition rate. If you require before- and after-hour care, or snacks or meals,
an additional cost may be required. While the fee may not necessarily reflect
the quality of care, staff attitudes and a clean, well-cared for environment
can be key to how well your child thrives.
Roxanne Ferber is a mom, freelance writer and owner of The WhateverMom blog.