What to look for in a Preschool/Daycare setting in BC?

First need to understand the difference between daycare and a preschool setting.

Daycare’s are allowed to have longer hours, different child to staff ratios according to their Center license and what licensing requirements apply to that particular center. The children will have rest/nap times usually in a different space than where they play. Should be on a mat that can be wiped down. Babies and toddlers should be either in a crib or playpen for safety.

Daycares center are usually licensed for a specific age group according to licensing regulations.

The center will have staff to child ratio according to ages, what their license status is.

Staff should have at least one ECE educator working at all times along with staff who have their assistant certificates in ECE. The manager of the center should be fully qualified as well as having their first aide certification.

All staff members are required to have a criminal record check done and have a copy at the center from the province of BC. License and a business license should be displayed in the facility where you are able to view.

Preschool which I am more familiar with as I am an ECE certified teacher and have been for over 30yrs.

Preschool ratios are the following:

1-8 or 1-10 children 1 fully qualified ECE teacher for every eight or ten children.

Larger centres will be 2-20 ( 2 fully qualified teachers to 20 children.

Whither you find a preschool center in a home  setting or in a commercial space the ratios are provincial standards in licensing regulations.

Preschool daily schedules and what activities the center does is all up to the individual manager , teacher or owner. No curriculum is written.

Centre’s should have basic areas in place like the following, art center, house area, block area, puzzle area, sensory table/sand table ,painting easel. Some might have a small science area. Should have an area where you can gather everyone called circle time.

Have table and chairs for sitting and doing activities at. The room set up depends on space and equipment. If a room space is small the center may have combined a few areas together for example, block corner add in a doll house. Puzzle table rotation could be play dough. Tables and chairs can be used for activities during that time as well as using them for  snack times.

The center should have at least one sink and one toilet for every 8/10 children

Make sure all the surfaces along with tables get cleaned through out the day. With a cleaner that can be wiped and air dry. Cleanliness of the center and toys is important part of keeping germs down as much as possible.

All child care centre’s are required to have an outdoor space with different activities to play with or climb on. To help develop gross motor skills. The minimum required time outside is 30 minutes a day.

The childcare center is required to have so many square metres per child for outdoor play space which is 6.0 sq meters (65 square foot per child).

Inside space is 2.8 square meters (30 square feet) for inside space.

Licensed centers  get a routine inspection yearly which are all unscheduled. They go over all the required requirements, staff information, child records, as well as mankind sure the center is cleaned and well maintained. They see what staff are doing with the children. We all get rated.

All child care centre’s should have a parent handbook as well as policy documents either separate or included in their parent handbook.

An emergency kit bucket should be left by an entrance or exit door. It should contain food, water, child information, emergency blankets, mini first aid kit and flash light. This is standard.

Need to have enough food and water for each child attending on that day.

Example have 10 kids. Need to have 10 kits.

Some preschool center may want your child to be fully toilet trained. Fully efficient in the bathroom on their own.

Change of clothes should be in your child’s backpack at all times. This is a requirement.

Daycare hours can be  from 6am-6pm.

Preschool hours can vary from 2 and half hrs up to max of 4hrs.

Recap

-All centers need to post all certificates including business license.

-Enough space for activities and for children to feel move around.

- outdoor space ( 30 minutes)

- bathroom one sink , one toilet for every 10 children

- should have appropriate staff child ratio requirements at all times

- daycare and preschool hrs are different

- daycare  ages can vary depending on license. Preschool ages 30 months to 5 yrs

- Center should be cleaned and well maintained.

- child friendly activities should be provided

Safety, love and learning opportunities are the building blocks for setting up success not failure.