Make your own experiences at the daycare!
From friends and acquaintances you will hear a lot of good and bad things about the different daycares. Online forums are also full of opinions and comments about daycares and educational concepts. Do not rely exclusively on the opinions of others. It is best to form your own impression by visiting the daycare with your child and experiencing everyday life there.
First impressions count
The daycare's offerings may be very good, but it is usually the details that determine a happy kindergarten experience. Pay attention to your first impression: How are the rooms designed? What is the atmosphere like and how do caregivers and children approach visitors? Your child will also quickly know whether they like the daycare or not.
The checklist: This is what makes a good kindergarten
1. Practical criteria
How close is the daycare to your home?
Is it accessible on foot/only by car or also by public transport?
Do the care hours fit your working hours?
How much are the monthly childcare fees?
Are safety and the quality of care guaranteed 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.)?
Are familiar children (neighbors, friends, etc.) in the same kindergarten, so that you can possibly coordinate drop-off and pick-up times?
Does the kindergarten fit our jobs and our family routine?
2. Concept and everyday life in the kindergarten
Does the kindergarten's concept match the parents' expectations and demands?
Is there generally a calm, balanced atmosphere?
How involved are parents in the kindergarten's work?
How many caregivers are available to care for the group?
How is the daily routine organized? Are there set routines and scheduled activities?
Does the kindergarten match our views and our educational approach?
3. Trust and closeness
Is your child personally addressed/integrated into the group by the caregivers?
Is your child quickly accepted into the group by the other children?
Is there a friendly, constructive tone in interactions between caregivers, children and parents?
Does communication between the caregivers work well, e.g. during shift changes?
Do parents and children get sufficient time and scope for settling-in, daily goodbyes, etc.?
Do the caregivers respond attentively and empathetically to the needs of individual children?
Does my child feel comfortable in the kindergarten? Are they always well cared for there?
4. Development and support opportunities
Are there regular singing, crafting, or guided play activities in the kindergarten?
Are topic-related projects offered, for example about the seasons, nutrition, fairy tales and stories?
Are there regular outings or appointments such as gymnastics, cooking, etc.?
Are the children generally encouraged to be independent? Do they practice dressing themselves, eating their food on their own or even preparing it themselves, tidying up, etc.?
Are children exposed to cultural diversity, e.g. through stories, games, project work?
Do the caregivers observe the children's individual motor, language and social development and exchange information about this with the parents?
Are there support services such as language support, occupational therapy or motor skills training?
Is my child supported individually, age-appropriately and according to their interests?
Cooperation between parents and caregivers
Is there an exchange with the caregivers when picking up the children? Do parents find out what their child did today and how they are doing?
Do parents get insight into everyday life at the daycare, e.g. with photo albums, project work, presentations?
Are development discussions offered to parents regularly (one to two times a year)?
Are parent evenings held regularly?
Are there joint events such as summer festivals, open days, Advent celebrations or outings together with parents?
Do parents have the opportunity to get involved in daycare work and provide suggestions?
How are conflict situations between parents and caregivers handled?
Do parents and caregivers in the kindergarten enter into an 'education partnership'?
Image credits
Female teacher and toddlers play in kindergarten with many toys © Krakenimages.com - stock.adobe.com
