5 Factors to take into account when choosing a nursery for your child
22 de June, 2022
If you’re going to have a child soon or are thinking of having one, then it’s likely that the question “where to leave the baby when maternity and paternity leave ends?” has already crossed your mind.
When parents need to go back to work, and don’t have a family support network that can stay with the baby during those hours, the solution inevitably involves finding a nursery.
However, finding a nursery can be very challenging. There are some important aspects to keep in mind when making a decision. Discover the main ones with us!
1 – Location
Finding a nursery close to a parent’s home or workplace obviously makes the whole daily routine of dropping off and picking up the baby easier. It also makes it possible to get to the crèche quickly if something unexpected happens. Alternatively, some nurseries offer transport to pick up and take children home.
Search online for daycare centers in the most convenient locations for you or ask for references from neighbors, friends or co-workers who already have children in daycare centers.
2 – Educational offer and activities
Another criterion to take into consideration is the educational project and the activities carried out at the nursery, which should be in line with what you want for your child’s education and development.
Find out about the pedagogical model of the various nurseries you’re going to, as well as the activities that are included: music, outings and activities outside, parties, crafts, among many others.
3 – Opening hours
This is another fundamental aspect, since some nurseries may not have timetables that are compatible with parents’ professional activities. Although most daycare centers offer the option of extended hours, this will mean paying extra for overtime.
In addition to the opening hours, you should also find out about the daycare center’s vacation periods, when you will need to find an alternative.
4 – Food
In some daycare centers, meals may be included, in others you may have to pay a separate fee or you can send meals already prepared from home. It’s important to understand this aspect as it can be an additional burden for you.
In cases where meals are provided by the daycare center itself, it is important to understand the diversity and quality of the food used and whether the meals provided fit in with the type of diet your child should have.
5 – Prices charged
As far as payment is concerned, there are typically three scenarios:
- Public nurseries, which are therefore completely free;
- IPSS (Private Social Solidarity Institutions), where the monthly fee is calculated according to the parents’ income;
- Private nurseries, which set their own tuition fees.
It’s important to note that, as of this year, nurseries in the Social Security network will be free for children up to the age of 1. In 2023 the measure will be extended to children up to the age of 2 and in 2024 to children up to the age of 3.
Paying for a daycare center can represent a large slice of a family’s budget, so this is a factor that weighs heavily in the decision. That’s why it’s essential to assess what is included in the monthly amount to be paid (food, diapers, etc.).
In this field, you can also try to find out from your company if there is any possibility of receiving some kind of social benefit to support children. There are social vouchers – such as the Euroticket Creche – which companies can give to employees and which, thanks to the associated tax benefits, allow them to increase their disposable income to support this type of expenditure.
In addition to clarifying all this information, there are other details you can try to figure out when you visit the nurseries: the size of the rooms, the equipment available, the number of children per room and per teacher, etc.
Plan everything in advance and avoid last-minute worries. Then just adapt to this new reality and enjoy this phase that will contribute to your child’s development!
Starting from July 2023, the Euroticket Creche benefit has been renamed Edenred Creche.