Make your own experiences in the daycare!
From friends and acquaintances you will hear much good and bad about the different daycares. Online forums are also full of opinions and comments about daycares and educational concepts. Don't rely solely on the opinions of others. It's best to form your own impression by visiting the daycare with your child and experiencing the daily routine there.
First impressions count
The daycare's offerings may be very good, but it's usually the details that decide a happy kindergarten experience. Pay attention to your first impression: How are the rooms arranged? What is the atmosphere like and how do the caregivers and children approach visitors? Your child will also likely quickly know whether they like the daycare or not.
The checklist: What makes a good kindergarten
1. Practical criteria
How close is the daycare to your home?\r
Is it reachable on foot/only by car or also by public transport?\r
Do the care hours fit your working hours?\r
What are the monthly childcare costs?\r
Are safety and the quality of care ensured according to the parents' expectations (e.g. a main road directly in front of the kindergarten, the kindergarten is connected to other facilities, the premises are also used by other groups, etc.)?\r
Are familiar children (neighbors, friends, etc.) in the same kindergarten so that pick-up and drop-off times can possibly be coordinated?\r
Does the kindergarten fit our jobs and our family routine?
2. Concept and daily kindergarten routine
Does the kindergarten concept match the parents' expectations and demands?
\rIs there generally a calm, balanced atmosphere?
\rTo what extent are parents involved in the kindergarten's work?
\rHow many educators are available for group care?
\rHow is the daily kindergarten routine organized? Are there set routines and program items?
\rDoes the kindergarten fit our views and our parenting approach?
3. Trust and closeness
Is your child personally addressed by the caregivers / integrated into the group?
\rIs your child quickly accepted into the group by the other children?
\rIs there a friendly, constructive tone of interaction between caregivers, children and parents?
Does communication among the caregivers work well, e.g. during shift changes?
\rDo parents and children get enough time and space for settling in, daily goodbyes etc.?
\rDo the caregivers respond attentively and understandingly to the needs of individual children?
\rDoes my child feel comfortable in the kindergarten? Is my child well looked after there at all times?
4. Development and support opportunities
\rAre songs sung, crafts made regularly, or are guided games held in the kindergarten?
\rAre themed project works offered, for example on the seasons, nutrition, fairy tales and stories?
\rAre there regular outings or events such as gymnastics, cooking, etc.?
\rAre the children generally encouraged to be independent? Do they practice dressing themselves, eating their food independently or even preparing it themselves, tidying up, etc.?
\rAre children introduced to cultural diversity, e.g. with stories, games, project work?
\rDo the educators observe the individual motor, language and social development of the children and exchange information about this with the parents?
\rAre there support services such as language support, occupational therapy or motor skills training?
\rIs my child supported individually, age-appropriately and according to their interests?
\rCooperation between parents and educators
\rIs there an exchange with the educators when picking up the children? Do parents find out what their child did today and how they are doing?
\rDo parents get insight into the daycare routine, e.g. through photo albums, project work, presentations?
\rAre development meetings for parents offered regularly (once or twice a year)?
\rAre parents' evenings held regularly?
\rAre there joint events such as summer festivals, open days, Advent celebrations or outings together with the parents?
\rDo parents have the opportunity to get involved in the daycare's work and provide suggestions?
\rHow are conflict situations between parents and educators handled?
\rDo parents and educators enter into an 'educational partnership' in the kindergarten?
Image credits
Teacher and toddlers play in kindergarten with many toys © Krakenimages.com - stock.adobe.com
