Searching “long day care centres near me“ on Google? We all know how important it is to enrol our children at a daycare centre to prepare them for formal school. On a similar note, we have to find the best daycare programme that best suits the needs of our little ones and our families.
In this article, we will take a look at the most important qualities that a long daycare centre should have. But first, we will discuss the difference between long daycare and sessional kindergarten, as well as the benefits of enrolling our children in such a centre.
Difference Between Long Day Care and Sessional Kindergarten
Generally speaking, both long daycare and sessional kindergarten offer their programmes on standard school terms and hours. In Australia, the classes run from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm a day for 40 weeks a year.
The main difference is that, in long day care services, additional hours will be provided in the morning and the afternoon. Sometimes, the added school hours will be had during holidays.
The programmes in both long daycare and sessional kindergarten are administered and overseen by qualified early childhood educators. This means your child will benefit from being in either one of them in terms of educational, social, and personal development.
Benefits of Enrolling Your Child in a Long Day Care Centre
Daycare is one of the best things your child could experience. According to research, it gives children the best start in life. Here are the main benefits your little one will get from being enrolled in one:
- Academic advancement
- Communication skills development
- Cognitive skills development
- Emotional development
- Behavioural learning
- Increased confidence
- Fun and socialisation
- Independence
Considering the wonderful things daycare can offer to your child, it definitely pays to send them to one.
How to Choose the Best Long Day Care for Your Child
It is always a good decision to start developing your child’s skills at a young age. That is why you should search “long day care centres near me” when your little one comes of the right age.
However, you should make sure that you choose the right centre that can offer your child the best experience that makes them better prepared for formal school. The following are the top qualities to look for in a daycare centre.
- Caring, happy, and safe environment
A daycare centre should have a positive vibe. So, when checking out a Norman Park community kindergarten, for example, observe the children and the teachers if they are happy and engaged. See how responsive and comfortable the children are with their peers and caregivers. As for the administrators, they should also be friendly, hospitable, and able to answer your questions accordingly.
The facility should also have security measures in place to ensure the safety of the children. When you feel good about the centre’s environment, then you can imagine your little one being there.
- Qualified teachers
Of course, the teachers should have the basic certification to offer early childhood education. Better yet, they should also be trained to perform CPR in case of emergencies.
- Low teacher-to-children ratio
The ideal teacher-to-children ratio in a daycare centre is 1:4 (1 teacher to 4 students). Also, the centre should have the same teachers day in and day out. If you notice that it has a very high ratio, then do not hesitate to look for another option.
- Licenced
Daycare centres should comply with legal state requirements to operate, so being licenced is a requisite. This certifies them as a safe environment to offer education to young children.
Aside from a licence, accreditation is a plus factor that you should consider in choosing the best centre for your child.
- Excellent reviews
A good centre should have a good reputation with their children’s families. So, when assessing a Red Hill kindergarten, for example, ask them to provide you with some references that you can speak with and gather information about their services.
You can also check the centre’s website to read reviews and testimonials from their past and existing clients.
Parting Thoughts
Sending your child to a daycare centre can benefit your child and you in a lot of ways. From offering your little one great opportunities to learn the essential skills for social and personal development to allowing yourself the time to work to support your entire family, the advantages these centres bring cannot be understated.
But while enrolling your child in this centre can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming, as you will be away from your little one for the first time.
To eliminate the anxiety, you should do your due diligence in choosing the best option you find in your “long day care centres near me” search. Then, you will have the peace of mind that your child is in good hands.
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