Leaving your children in the care of others can be stressful. But, if you do your homework, you can find the best Chicago daycare for your child and family.
When looking for a high-quality daycare center, consider the location, programs, credentials of staff, and security measures. Also, keep in mind that most of the best centers have waiting lists.
1. Your Child’s Personal Items
With the lazy days of summer soon behind us, and back-to-school preparations underway, parents will be packing up their children’s daily supplies. From snacks to nap mats, pens and markers to the aforementioned daycare essentials, it’s crucial to pack these items so that your child will be comfortable and safe while away from home.
Whether your child is still in diapers or not, it’s always good to have an extra pair of clothes packed for them at daycare Chicago. You never know when they’ll have a blowout or get food or art supplies on themselves, so having a few spare outfits packed is non-negotiable. Make sure to include a set of sealable bags so that dirty clothes can be easily stored without messing up the rest of your child’s bag.
In addition to having enough clothing, you’ll also want to have a few bottles of your child’s favorite water. Most daycare centers will have drinking water on hand, but it’s always a good idea to send your child with their own bottle to ensure that it stays fresh throughout the day and isn’t shared (which could spread germs). You should also include a few bottles of baby-friendly sunscreen, and don’t forget a sunhat to help protect their skin during outdoor playtime.
2. A Change of Clothes
With summer quickly fading into memories of backyard barbecues and blueberry cobblers, it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school. For many parents, that means sending their kids to daycare for a large portion of their week. This can be a relief for some, but for others, it’s an anxious time full of unknowns.
To help alleviate this anxiety, it’s important to pack a few key items to help your child get settled into their new home away from home. The first of these is a change of clothes. It’s inevitable that spills and messes will happen during the course of your child’s day at daycare, so it’s best to come prepared by packing a few spare outfits. Having an extra pair of pants, socks, and underwear is also helpful.
You should also include sealable bags in your child’s daycare bag so that any messes can be separated from their clean clothes and disposed of properly. Finally, don’t forget to pack your child’s sunscreen as they will likely be spending a lot of time outside. Be sure to reapply it throughout the day and before any outdoor activities.
3. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an important part of your child’s daycare routine. It protects them from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause skin cancer. Children should apply sunscreen before they leave the house and reapply it at least every 2 hours or more often if they are sweating or swimming. You can find a lot of different types of sunscreen, but it is important to choose one that is labeled “broad spectrum,” meaning it provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
You should also ensure that your child’s sunscreen contains an SPF of 30 or higher. In addition, you should avoid spray sunscreens, as they can be difficult to gauge coverage and may contain chemicals that could be a health concern for your child.
You can help your child to understand the importance of sun protection by modeling proper practices yourself. Try using the slip, slop, slap slogan to teach your children about how to properly apply sunscreen and by wearing protective clothing like hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses. You can also encourage them to seek shade and avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m, when the sun’s rays are most intense.
4. A First Aid Kit
Bumps, bruises, and scrapes are all part of a child’s daily adventures. By having a first aid kit stocked with supplies, daycare can address minor injuries without delay. A properly stocked first aid kit should include adhesive tape, assorted bandage strips, non-latex gloves, eye wash, safety pins, petroleum jelly, scissors and tweezers.
Having the right first aid supplies is one thing, but having an emergency plan is equally important. For example, if someone is unconscious or choking, it’s crucial that staff know how to respond in an emergency situation. Fortunately, many first aid training courses offer specific programs geared towards childcare workers that cover everything from CPR for infants and children to addressing choking emergencies.
In addition to emergency plans, it’s also essential for childcare to provide a safe and comfortable environment for children. This includes making sure that the facility has proper ventilation and fire safety equipment, and keeping dangerous materials in locked cabinets. It’s important to also ensure that children have the right gear for their outdoor activities. This means a sun hat and sunglasses for summer, and warm coats and mittens for cold weather.
5. A Communication Notebook
As a daycare provider, communicating with parents is your bread and butter. It’s one of the best ways to build trust with families, and to establish a sense of partnership.
Effective communication also helps caregivers understand each child’s unique needs and interests, enabling them to tailor their care accordingly, providing a more personalized experience for your children. It also allows for timely intervention if any concerns arise.
For example, if your child has made a new friend or did something silly at school, a quick in-person conversation at pickup time can help you share these small details and leave the family feeling good about their child’s day. These conversations may also be an opportunity to address any concerns you have.
A communication notebook is a simple tool that can help you keep the lines of communication open with your child’s teachers and early childhood professionals. It can be as simple as a binder or notebook that both you and your child’s caregivers write in daily, or it can be more formal with a set of questions for you to answer each day. Either way, the important thing is that you both use it regularly and that you agree on how much detail to include in it.
6. A Small Bottle of Hand Sanitizer
Handwashing is one of the most important steps in preventing common colds, diarrhea, influenza, and food-borne illness. But when soap and water aren’t readily available, a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be a useful tool for kids and adults.
The frequency of hand sanitizer use was higher in school/childcare settings than in homes for children ages 3 and under, but this may have been a result of product dispensers at schools which dispense a controlled amount. In the study, most kids used hand sanitizer gel, liquid or foam dispensed by pump, squeeze or spray.
CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water, but for times when soap and water aren’t available, a bottle of hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is an effective alternative. Just remember to supervise young children when using hand sanitizer, as they are prone to swallowing it or getting it in their eyes.
Be sure to throw away old bottles of hand sanitizer that have been denatured with methanol. The methanol can be toxic to young children. It’s also a good idea to avoid homemade recipes for hand sanitizer, which can contain ingredients that aren’t safe for your child.
7. A Familiar Item
With the summer coming to an end, parents have to start thinking about getting their children ready for school. For many, this means selecting a new daycare. Choosing the right daycare center is crucial for both you and your child, as it impacts everything from safety to learning.
The decision to leave your baby in someone else’s care can be a mix of emotions, from relief and excitement to anxiety over their comfort while away from home. It is natural to feel this way, and that is why it is so important for you to choose a quality daycare that fits your family’s needs.
Once you have selected the perfect Chicago daycare, there are a few additional items that you should pack for your child’s first day. These items will help your child’s caregivers provide them with the best possible experience. Make sure to include a small bottle of hand sanitizer and a package of tissues in your child’s bag, along with a few familiar items from home, like a special blanket or a favorite toy. These items will act as a bridge between your home and the daycare and can provide much needed emotional support during this transition.
