7 Tips for Choosing the Right Daycare for Your Little One

My twins are starting daycare in a few weeks, and I must admit I underestimated how complex the search would be. It took me a couple of months, many phone calls to request information and visits to nine different facilities to find the right one.

There isn't a formula for choosing the best one. For some, the most important thing is that it's close to home, while others prefer their children to receive bilingual education from an early age. Some parents look for a place with cameras to keep an eye on their babies, while others opt for one that promotes contact with nature. What works for some may not work for others.

While there's no recipe, what I can share are some tips and important points to consider if you're also going through this journey:

Safety

For me, this is the most important. So, I asked about the safety measures implemented at each one: Is there a police officer or security guard at the entrance? Do they have security cameras and who has access to them? Do they have a doctor, nurse, paramedic or trained personnel to handle emergencies? If a hospital visit is necessary, what is the protocol and which hospital do they go to? What is the procedure for dropping off and picking up the children? What happens if mom or dad can't pick them up and someone else has to? Finally, since we live in Mexico City, I also asked about the earthquake protocol.

Approach

When asking about the approach at each daycare, I discovered a plethora of options and styles: Montessori, Waldorf, more structured systems, methodologies that promote free play or a mix of everything... Since I'm not an expert, besides doing my research, I asked what activities the children do on a typical day to better understand their philosophy and style. This helped me clarify the values of each daycare and find the one that best aligned with us.

Group Size and Caregivers

All daycares will tell you they have small groups because they know the youngest need the most attention. However, the concept of "small" can vary from place to place, so be sure to ask approximately how many children are in each group and how many people are in charge of them. The smaller the group, the easier it is to supervise and meet each child's individual needs. Usually, there is a teacher and a care assistant for every set number of children. Also, check if the staff has any special training.

Proximity

Although I know moms who take their children to daycares that aren't close to home or work, the advice many friends gave me was to choose one near home. This saves you a lot of stress in the mornings, getting ready and leaving earlier, as well as during commutes—which we know can be challenging in places like Mexico City—or in case of unforeseen events that require you to return to the daycare, whether to pick up your little one early or bring something they forgot. In short, choosing a nearby daycare makes life much easier.

Cost

Obviously, this is also an important factor. When asking about the price, they usually give you information about the enrollment and monthly fees; but there are often other expenses that they may not always tell you about unless you ask, such as insurance, uniforms, materials, books or costumes for festivals, among others. To know exactly how much you'll be spending, ask for all the initial costs and any other expenses throughout the year. If you have two or more children, don't forget to ask for the sibling discount that most places offer, which can range from 10% to 50%.

Facilities

I want to emphasize this recommendation: don't miss the opportunity to visit the daycare in person before making a decision. It really makes all the difference. It happened to me that the one I liked the most in the first round of selection turned out not to impress me at all when I visited because it wasn't well-maintained. Another one that didn't sound so bad was next to a gas station. On the other hand, the one I chose didn't look as nice in photos as it did in person. During the visit, observe how the staff behaves, how they interact with the children and if the children seem happy. Write down your impressions after each visit while they're still fresh in your mind. Note what you liked and didn't like; include any observations you think are important. This will be especially helpful because, after seeing several places, you might forget details or confuse what you saw at one place with another.

Reviews

They say the best advertising is word of mouth. Look for reviews and opinions online to hear from real people. Ask your acquaintances or in mom groups if anyone knows the daycare and can give you references. As an extra tip, I recommend making a comparative table that includes the details of each daycare. This way, you can see all your options and comments at a glance, making it easier for you to compare.

Finally, trust your instincts and the great work you've done gathering all this information. The effort to find a place where your little one can grow, learn and be happy will be well worth it.

Good luck on your journey to finding the perfect daycare for your little one.