Mommi,

For whatever reason, the time has come to put your little one in daycare or preschool and we know how difficult this transition can be, most of the time for us, not baby! There are many benefits to your child being in daycare or preschool so don’t sweat it, you’re making a great choice for your little prince/princess.

At MommiNation we have over 30 African-American mommies, and we came together to create this very extensive list just for you so because we want to be sure you have checked all the boxes before making your final decision.

1. DIVERSITY

This is super important! When selecting where your child will be for the majority of the day, you want to be sure they are seeing a few people that look like individuals they see at home. We also want to be sure they are exposed to all kinds of people because the world around is becoming more and more diverse. We must be sure we are raising worldly and tolerant children and to do that we must allow them to see individuals they don’t see in the home.

Don’t think they’re paying attention as toddlers? Think again!

“Even children as young as preschool-age can begin to learn the value of diversity, according to a Kansas State University instructor.

Children typically notice differences in those around them, such as physical characteristics, at about age 2, said LuAnn Hoover, instructor of family studies and human services. That age is also the critical time when toddlers begin to form attitudes based on significant others, including parents and teachers.

“Attitudes are caught not taught,” Hoover said. “Nonverbal actions are picked up on. Kids don’t attend to what adults say but to what they do. It’s the saying, ‘Actions speak louder than words.'”

“Learning to have respect for others is a lifetime social skill that positively impacts a child’s developing sense of self,” Hoover said. “Teaching children to respect differences is also a beginning in the prevention of aggressive and violent behavior.”

YOU CAN READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

2. CURRICULUM

Be sure to get a full understanding of the curriculum for your child. You know your LO best, be sure that the curriculum offered matches the needs of your child.

Here is a great resource that shares what your child will learn in daycare.

3. COST

Daycare costs vary based on where you live.

Childcare Aware of America is a great resource to find our average cost in your state.

Depending on where you live and the quality of the preschool, average costs range from $4,460 to $13,158 per year ($372 to $1,100 monthly), according to the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). In cities, such as New York and Boston, full-day preschool may cost upward of $20,000 for school-year tuition, summers not included. Some pre-schools offer aftercare but others end before parents get home from work, which adds another babysitter or nanny cost into the budget.

Per CNBC, Americans are having fewer kids because it’s too expensive. Here is a list of the average cost of daycare per state in 2018. This cost is determined based on the cost of nannies and daycare for infants up to 3 years old. Ranked from least to most expensive, you will find all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

50. Mississippi: $4,822

49. Alabama: $5,637

48. South Dakota: $5,661

47. Louisiana: $5,747

46. Tennessee: $5,857

45. Arkansas: $5,995

44. Kentucky: $6,294

43. South Carolina: $6,475

42. Wyoming: $6,541

41. Oklahoma: $6,788

40. Idaho: $7,200

39. Georgia: $7,644

38. Nebraska: $7,926 (tie)

38. West Virginia: $7,926 (tie)

37. New Mexico: $7,942

36. North Dakota: $8,217

35. Hawaii: $8,280

34. Missouri: $8,632

33. Utah: $8,641

32. Florida: $8,694

31. Texas: $8,759

30. Indiana: $8,918

29. Ohio: $8,977

28. Montana: $9,062

27. North Carolina: $9,255

26. Arizona: $9,437

25. Iowa: $9,485

24. Maine: $9,512

23. Nevada: $9,852

22. Michigan: $9,882

21. Virginia: $10,458

20. Pennsylvania: $10,640

19. Alaska: $10,957

18. Delaware: $11,000

17. Kansas: $11,201

16. Vermont: $11,270

15. Oregon: $11,322

14. New Jersey: $11,534

13. Wisconsin: $11,579

12. New Hampshire: $11,810

11. California: $11,817

10. Washington: $12,733

9. Rhode Island: $12,867

8. Illinois: $12,964

7. Colorado: $13,154

6. Connecticut: $13,880

5. Maryland: $13,932

4. New York: $14,144

3. Minnesota: $14,366

2. Massachusetts: $17,062

1. Washington, D.C.: $22,631

4. STUDENT/ TEACHER RATIO

Appropriate teacher-child ratios are one of the main aspects of a high-quality early childhood program. Studies show that lower class sizes and smaller teacher-child ratios may improve child outcomes, help reduce behavior problems, lower rates of special education placements, reduce teacher stress, and improve the teacher’s experience. Recent data also suggest that children of color are more likely than White children to be taught in preschools with teacher-child ratios that are too high. This lowers program quality and the quality of the teacher’s relationship with his or her children. Classrooms with higher teacher-child ratios are more likely to report expulsions and suspensions in state preschool programs. According to the National Prekindergarten Study, 12.7% of teachers with a classroom ratio of 12:1 or higher reported one of their children being expelled, compared with 7.7% of teachers with a classroom ratio of 8:1. Appropriate teacher-child ratios can promote stronger teacher-child relationships, improve child outcomes, and enhance the overall experience for both the teacher and children. – SOURCE

5. BALANCED MEALS

Be sure to ask for the menu and review based on what foods you want to include in your kids’ diet.

You should be able to make a list of foods you want to be included and excluded from your child’s diet.

Here is a resource of foods recommended for toddlers.

Don’t forget in food allergies your child might have and be considerate of other children.

6. BI-LINGUAL

Well, this one’s a no-brainer! If your hope is for your child to learn multiple languages, the sooner the better.

Studies show that being bilingual has many cognitive benefits. According to research, speaking a second language can mean that you have a better attention span and can multi-task better than monolinguals.

A few other benefits are the positive effects on the brain, giving your child an educational advantage as well as giving them an advantage in the workplace. Here are the other benefits according to The Bilingual Kidspot.

“To have another language is to possess a second soul,” Charlemagne

  1. Positive effects on the brain. Some studies even suggest bilingualism can reduce the risk of having a stroke.
  2. Gives you an educational advantage. Bilingual children educated in their second language, have actually been seen to outperform monolingual students in their native language.
  3. Languages are highly valued in the workplace.
  4. Being bilingual has been linked to health benefits.
  5. Speaking more than one language makes you more open-minded. You have the ability to see the world in a different way.
  6. Speaking a foreign language can be highly beneficial when traveling.
  7. Being bilingual opens up new social opportunities.
  8. Knowing more than one language helps you to learn additional languages.
  9. Being bilingual means you can raise bilingual kids.
  10. You are not the minority if you are bilingual. More than half the world speaks more than one language. In many countries, bilingualism is considered the norm.

7. SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

It’s a shame that we have to think about this but unfortunately, schools, daycares, and churches are no longer off limits for violence and anything can happen. Talk through your facilities safety procedures for your own peace of mind.

8. AN OPEN DOOR POLICY/ VIDEO ACCESS

This is a God sent! You can go by and check in and on your child at any time! Access to videos on your computer and phone also makes you feel good about ave 24 access to your LO.

9. TRUST YOUR INTUITION

“Maternal instinct is not a myth or simple phrase,” says Chinthani Perera-Lunemann, child care expert. “It’s a scientific fact and exists in the real world for a reason. If you feel that something is ‘off’ or not right, don’t ignore it — this is your instinct kicking in to protect your child.”

10. CHECK STATES CHILDCARE REGISTRY

There are a number of websites that offer assistance when looking into accredited and approved childcare locations.

Here’s an example for one in Texas.

They give a comprehensive list of the official daycares in the state!

OTHER THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER:

  • CLEANLINESS
  • SPECIAL NEEDS
  • FAITH-BASED
  • MEET THE TEACHER NIGHTS
  • DISCOUNTS/SCHOLARSHIPS

Lastly, if you have any questions about your current daycare and are looking for the licensing and regulations per state, you should go to the National Database of Child Care Licensing and Regulations. This website allows users to research, by state, all regulations that apply to their location.

Have we missed anything? Please let us know by emailing us at info@mommination.com

WE ARE MOMMINATION