Beckley, WV (WOAY) – As school wraps up for the year, many parents will need a quality daycare option.
Finding the best crèche is of the utmost importance, but that can be challenging.
“You should be very careful who you let watch your child,” said Lively Little Ones Daycare Owner Amber Comer. “Make sure you meet them, tour their facility, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Hopefully, your provider will be open and honest with you.”
Home-based daycares and centers are different.
“Here, I feel like it’s a lot more personal because it’s just one person, maybe two,” Comer said of her in-home. “I have an assistant teacher with me all the time. So you have the same people watching your child every single day.”
Ask around, your pediatrician, and the DHHR website to find good (certified through the state) childcare that people trust.
“They have the recommended training and necessities to care for your child,” said Beckley Police Department Det. Nicole Pinardo. “Another thing is to have open communication with your child, be sure they’re able to talk to you and if there are any issues, they feel comfortable coming to you. You don’t want them to ever feel like they’re going to be in trouble if they tell you something happened.”
Your provider should meet your needs, everyone parents differently and wants different things for their child.
“You might want a more personal hands-on lesson planning approach, or a learn by playing approach,” said Comer, of the various programs. “Make sure whoever you choose is gonna be somewhere you’re happy with.”
Keep in mind that some things are off the table when it comes to childcare.
“If you go in there and it’s unkempt or a dirty facility, it’s pretty obvious. If it smells really bad of cigarette smoke, that’s a huge red flag,” Pinardo said. “Social media platforms, a great start. Make a post, ask your friends: ‘Hey, who do you recommend?’ First, make sure they are registered with the state because that’s going to be your base.”
