How to choose the best childcare centre for your kids
Ask parents with children in childcare, and many will tell you that leaving their child in care for the first time was not easy. For many of us, it’s the first time we will leave our child with someone else and there is a mix of emotions to deal with – the excitement of working and spending time with adults again but also the anxiety, and often guilt, about your child’s care. That’s why choosing the right early learning centre is so important for families.
A child’s first five years is crucial for developing brains – in a baby’s first year, their brain will double with more than one million connections formed every second. A quality early learning centre and nurturing home environment is the perfect combination for your child to develop their full potential. It will also help prepare them for school.
Given their rapid development, children need to be immersed in activities and stimuli that feed their hunger for knowledge. So how do you find a childcare centre with a nurturing, stimulating, safe environment, with caring, qualified early learning professionals? The best way is to take a tour of the local centres in your area.
Early Learning Centre Checklist
When your first begin to research the early learning centres in your area, it’s a good idea to have a check list of some simple things to look for, to ensure you find high quality early learning and care for your child. Does the centre offer:
- A positive environment, where the children appear happy, content, and settled.
- A centre team which is qualified and experienced.
- A safe and secure environment.
- Staff that have quality relationships with children.
- A high standard of hygiene and cleanliness.
- Clear, daily communication about your child’s routine and activities.
- Innovative and creative programs that assist development.
- Warm and friendly staff.
- Rooms that present a stimulating environment (for example, quality toys, books, and artwork).
- Feedback on children’s progress.
It’s completely normal to have a range of questions as you investigate care for your child. After all, you need to be comfortable with the choice you’re making.
Goodstart Early Learning
Goodstart Early Learning is Australia’s largest provider of early learning and care. Goodstart knows that one size doesn’t fit all families. Their not-for-profit early learning centres offer play-based learning programs tailored to each child’s stage of development from six weeks of age to school aged children.
They have introduced flexible options, including nine, 10 and 12 hour sessions, making quality early learning more accessible and affordable than ever.
With nearly 50 centres in South Australia, there’s a Goodstart centre near you.
You’re welcome to visit your local centre any time and the Centre Director will be very pleased to give you a tour. Alternatively, find your local centre and book a tour through their website, or phone 1800 222 543.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Goodstart Early Learning website
What: Goodstart Early Learning
When: Please visit the Goodstart Early Learning website for further details about centres’ opening times
Where: Over 45 locations around Adelaide
Who: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: supplied
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