As of 2024, there are 834 licensed childcare centers in the state of Kansas, according to the First Five Years Fund. No wonder the process of finding the right early learning center for your child feels so overwhelming. And if you want more for your child than a daycare, your search will have the additional steps of vetting teachers, curriculum, and how they include families in their child’s education. These aren’t the only qualities to look for in an early learning center though. When evaluating centers in your area, be sure to consider all the following factors so you can find the right fit for your child:
- Safety Measures
- Works with Your Schedule
- Licensed Staff
- Beneficial Adult to Child Ratios
- Strong Curriculum
- Communication with Parents
When you don’t know what qualities to look for in your ideal early learning center, it’s easy to pick one that isn’t a good fit. Choose a center where your child can thrive by asking potential early learning centers the following questions:
Do They Have Strong Safety Measures in Place?
The most important thing to keep in mind when looking for a childcare center is to make sure it is a safe place for your child. Start by searching for early learning centers through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Child Care Licensing Program Online Facility Compliance Search tool. This will bring up the center’s inspection reports which reveal if they have violated any health or safety requirements, as well as how they fixed those violations. If there are any open violations or ones that weren’t resolved to your satisfaction, then it’s best to move on to the next potential early learning center.
However, just because an early learning center looks good online doesn’t mean it’s a perfect fit. Be sure to go tour each early learning center before you send your child there. In fact, bring your child along on these visits. If your child doesn’t feel comfortable at a facility, then it’s time to keep looking. During these tours, be sure to take note of the location’s safety measures like secure entrances and exits. It’s also best to ask what kind of health and safety training caregivers receive and if background checks are performed on staff. This ensures you know everything about an early learning center’s security and if your child will really be safe there.
Do Their Hours Work with Your Schedule?
When leaving your child with early childhood educators, you need to ensure their stay works with your schedule. After all, every family’s situation is different. Some families may need traditional workday hours to keep their jobs and care for their kids. Others may need flexible drop-off and pick-up times or even evening childcare. Be sure to check with each facility’s hours of operation to ensure proper care for your child no matter what your schedule looks like.
Do They Have Licensed Staff?
You wouldn’t trust just anyone with your children, which is why you must look for centers with licensed early childhood educators. Specifically, look for early learning centers where staff members follow all Kansas Department of Health and Environment licensing regulations and training requirements. This means that everyone who works with your child knows how to care for them if they are injured, apply CPR, spot signs of abuse, and more.
Don’t just look for safety licenses though, make sure a potential center’s early childhood educators are legitimate. For example, these educators should have a certificate or degree in early childhood education (ECE) from a trade school or college. This ensures that they have the knowledge and skills to help your child learn and thrive. Not to mention these trained early childhood educators also help children strengthen their communication abilities through daily interactions and guided play. The next time you’re touring early learning centers, be sure to ask for proof of ECE certifications as well as any other licenses they may have. At Kiddi Kollege, we offer Cognia accredited programs that support each child’s individualized education program so they can succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Do They Have Beneficial Student to Teacher Ratios?
There is often a sweet spot between impersonal early childhood education and overwhelmed early childhood educators. After all, if student-to-teacher ratios are too high, early childhood educators will struggle to provide strong, individualized education programs. This is because they’ll be too busy trying to care for their group of students to adequately help each one learn individually. According to the Kansas legislature, childcare centers need to adhere to the following ratios based on the children’s ages:
- 6 weeks to 11 months: 1 adult for every 3 infants
- 18 months: 1:5
- 35 months: 1:7
- 3 to 4 years: 1:12
- 5 years: 1:14
- 6+ years: 1:16
Smaller ratios give teachers more time to support children who may benefit from individualized education programs. As a result, your child can learn and grow at their own pace.
Do They Have a Strong Curriculum?
Your child deserves individualized education programs that strengthen their cognitive and emotional development. What exactly that looks like varies between early learning centers and each individual child. Regardless, a strong curriculum should provide individualized education programs so each child has the tools to grow their minds. Additionally, there must be a healthy balance between learning, play, and rest. This will ensure your child gets everything they need to be a healthy, growing member of society. So, when you visit your next early learning center, observe or ask about the following:
- Are there indoor and outdoor spaces to play?
- What does an average day look like for children here?
- What kind of activities are provided?
- What subjects are covered in your curriculum?
- Does your curriculum include activities that build communication abilities?
Remember, a child should feel safe, learn more, and have fun at an early learning center. It’s up to you to make sure you pick a location that offers all these things.
Do They Communicate with Parents About Their Child?
It can be difficult to be apart from your little one. It can be even more difficult to feel disconnected from them as they learn new skills or face new challenges. That’s why it’s important to find an early learning center with strong communication abilities. You may not need to hear every little thing your child does in a day but being kept up to date on how your child is doing emotionally and intellectually can be a great relief to many parents. Specifically, look for early learning centers that provide the following means of communication:
- Messaging Apps: Allows teachers to communicate daily activities and photos of children with parents.
- Parent-teacher Conferences: These meetings help you understand where your child is excelling and where they could use additional support.
- Newsletters: Get more information about current curriculum as well as ideas for activities you can do at home with your child to encourage their learning.
Early learning centers with strong communication abilities help parents be a part of their child’s education without overwhelming them.
Early Learning Center FAQs
How do I know if an early learning center is the right fit for my child?
Look for an early learning center that keeps your child safe, supports their growth, and employs trained early childhood educators. A strong program will nurture social skills, communication abilities, and age-appropriate learning.
What should I look for when touring an early learning center?
Pay attention to safety measures, cleanliness, classrooms, teacher interactions, and adult-to-child ratios. Ask early childhood educators how they support learning styles, communication abilities, and any individualized education program needs.
Why are adult-to-child ratios important?
Balanced ratios ensure early childhood educators have enough time to give each child personal attention. This helps support stronger communication abilities and allows children who may need elements of an individualized education program to thrive.
How do early childhood educators support communication abilities?
Trained early childhood educators use storytelling, conversation, imaginative play, and guided activities to strengthen communication abilities from an early age. These skills build confidence and help children express themselves clearly.
What is an individualized education program and does my child need one?
An individualized education program outlines specific learning goals and support strategies for a child who needs extra help. Even if your child does not require one, a high-quality early learning center should be able to support a wide range of learning needs.
How can I tell if the curriculum is good?
A strong curriculum balances play, learning, creativity, and rest. It should include activities that encourage problem-solving, social skills, and communication abilities. The early learning center should also be able to adjust lessons to match each child’s pace.
Are early childhood educators required to be licensed?
Yes, reputable centers hire licensed early childhood educators who have formal training in child development, classroom safety, and age-appropriate teaching strategies. This ensures they can support each child’s communication abilities and overall growth.
How often should an early learning center communicate with parents?
A quality early learning center will update parents regularly through messages, newsletters, conferences, or photos. Strong communication abilities between staff and families create trust and help you stay informed about your child’s learning progress.
What questions should I ask during a tour of an early learning center?
Consider asking about safety practices, staff training, communication abilities, curriculum, daily routines, and how the center supports different learning needs, including elements similar to an individualized education program.
How do early learning centers help my child prepare for kindergarten?
Children practice early literacy, math, problem-solving, social skills, and communication abilities. Early childhood educators also teach routines and self-help skills so children feel confident and capable on their first day of school.
Want More Tips on How to Help Your Child Thrive? Sign Up for Our Newsletter!
When it comes to picking an early learning center for your child, remember to trust your gut. All the factors listed in this blog are vital to finding a place where your child can succeed, but as their parent, you ultimately know what will work best for them. So do the research, visit early education centers, and ask plenty of questions to gather as much information as possible. This way you can make an informed decision that will set your child up for success.
Want more tips like this? Sign up for our newsletter to receive monthly emails with great advice and updates!
