| Are you a parent who is thinking about sending | | | | preschool or Brookline daycare center they are |
| your Brookline infant or toddler to a daycare | | | | considering. In addition to talking to the teacher |
| program? If so, here are some tips for evaluating | | | | and staff members, take a look at the physical |
| daycare programs in Brookline--whether it’s a | | | | premises. Is the building or home well maintained? |
| preschool in Brookline, Brookline family daycare, or | | | | Are the bathrooms, floors or carpets clean and |
| Brookline daycare center. | | | | the classroom area neat and tidy? Is the outdoor |
| 1. Choose a Licensed Facility. | | | | play area safe and secure? Does each child have |
| An important consideration for many parents | | | | a cubby or place for her personal belongings? If |
| when choosing a preschool in Brookline, Brookline | | | | you have doubts, you might want to make a |
| family daycare facility, or Brookline daycare | | | | surprise unannounced visit. |
| center for their Brookline infant is whether it is | | | | 4. Staff Members |
| licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. | | | | Observe how the staff or childcare provider |
| While licensing is not mandatory, it may give | | | | interact with the children. Does she seem fully |
| parents peace of mind knowing that the day care | | | | engaged with the children? Is she warm and |
| in Brookline they have chosen meets certain | | | | caring, taking a personal interest in each student? |
| standards of quality. | | | | Does she have any teaching certifications or |
| 2. Programs and Policies | | | | experience at another day care in Brookline? |
| Call the teacher or director of the Brookline | | | | Consider how the provider’s style of |
| daycare center or preschool in Brookline that you | | | | interaction would fit with your child’s |
| are interested in and ask about the focus of their | | | | personality and needs. |
| program. Is it mostly free play or is there some | | | | 5. Activities and Learning |
| organized curriculum such as practicing writing | | | | Talk to the teacher and observe what educational |
| letters or their names, drawing pictures, or | | | | materials are used. Find out if there is a set |
| learning shapes and colors? Parents looking at day | | | | routine or if the curriculum scheduling is flexible. If |
| care in Brookline should also find out what the | | | | there is an educational focus to the program, then |
| hours of operation are, when school holidays | | | | classroom materials should be up to date and age |
| occur, and whether there is an after school | | | | appropriate. |
| program (if you need one). | | | | If everything appears satisfactory, you may have |
| 3. Schedule a Visit | | | | found just the right facility for day care in |
| Prospective parents should schedule a day to visit | | | | Brookline for your child. |
| the classroom and facilities of the Brookline | | | | |