Choosing the right childcare centre for your children is a big decision. You will naturally be over-cautious when it comes to selecting a centre – especially since this is where you’ll be entrusting the care of your babies while you’re at work or otherwise engaged. There are so many childcare options available – from play-based programs through to school-preparation; and with so much choice available it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
At Bush kidz we see new parents and caregivers coming in to see us all the time, and we are always happy to share any wisdom as parents search for the right centre for their child. It’s important to stress that every child is different, and some childcare centres are going to suit your family better.
To help you in finding the right childcare centre for your child, we wanted to bring together some mistakes to avoid! If you’d like to know more about Bush kidz Brassall or Blacksoil, just contact us online or call us to come down and see our centres in action.
Look for happy children
The number one indicator of a great childcare centre is the presence of happy, smiling children. When you’re searching for a childcare centre for your child, you want to choose a venue where the children look like they’re enjoying themselves with plenty of toys and activities to amuse themselves with.
Along with that, you want to see educators who look like they genuinely love their jobs playing and interacting with children.
Look for educators who get down on the child’s level when they’re engaging with them. Look for a play area with safe outdoor fall-spaces, and look for plenty of natural materials and options for quiet time as well.
Look for an environment that suits your child
If you know your child loves to sit quietly and draw or paint without too much interruption, then make sure that your childcare centre of choice has this available. Similarly, if your child loves nothing better than to be outside doing outdoor activities and water play, then ensure that your childcare centre of choice has lots of stuff to do outside and a good wet area.
There are a wide range of play options and programs available at Bush kidz and we do try to meet the needs of children from all backgrounds and with all interests. That said, it’s always best to bring your child in and visit us to see if the environment piques their interest.
Look for a play-based learning centre
There has been a growing interest in play-based learning as a style of education and childcare in the past few decades; it has been found that brain development is enhanced through play-based learning. Indeed, it has been shown that play-based learning gives children the capacity to be well-developed in memory skills, language and in their ability to regulate their behaviour.
At Bush kidz, we focus on play-based learning as part of our pedagogy and give children ample opportunity to choose playtime activities that they prefer. Whichever childcare centre you end up choosing, just ensure that the physical environment is conducive to play, engagement, stimulation, and enjoyment.
Feel the centre out with a visit
This is probably the most important thing you can do when choosing a childcare centre for your child: go along and see the environment for yourself with your child. See how your child interacts with the space, whether there are toys or activities that they naturally gravitate towards. You want to ensure that your child feels comfortable in a place that they will ultimately be spending time alone – albeit with childcare workers and other children – but they need to feel secure.
Want to arrange a visit? Call us on (70) 3813 0975 for Bush kidz Brassall or (07) 3201 4231 for Bush kidz Blacksoil.