Choosing infant daycare is an important decision for any family. For many parents, it may be the first time their baby will regularly spend part of the day in someone else’s care. Naturally, that can bring questions about safety, routines, educators, communication and how your baby’s individual needs will be supported.
If you’re searching for infant daycare in Edmonton, looking beyond location and availability can help you choose a childcare environment where you feel confident and your baby can feel safe, comfortable and cared for.
Here are some of the most important things parents should consider before enrolling an infant in daycare.
1. Visit the Infant Daycare in Person
Online research is a useful starting point, but an in-person visit can tell you much more about a childcare centre.
During your tour, look at the infant room itself. Is it clean, organized and appropriate for babies? Is there enough space for infants to safely explore and move? Does the environment feel calm, welcoming and well supervised?
Pay attention to how educators interact with the babies in their care. Warm, responsive interactions can tell you a great deal about the atmosphere of the program.
A tour is also your opportunity to ask questions about routines, feeding, naps, communication and what a typical day looks like. Families interested in visiting Ellwood can schedule a daycare tour before making an enrollment decision.
2. Ask About Safety and Supervision
Safety should be one of the first subjects discussed when comparing infant daycare options.
Ask the childcare centre how infants are supervised throughout the day, how authorized pickups are handled, what procedures are followed during emergencies and how the facility manages access to childcare areas.
Parents can also ask how educators monitor children as they move between feeding, sleeping, play and other daily activities.
Staying Connected With Your Child
At Ellwood Daycare & OSC, families also benefit from CCTV camera access for parents, providing an additional way for parents to stay connected with their child’s daycare environment.
3. Understand How Individual Infant Routines Are Handled
Infants do not all follow exactly the same schedule. Feeding times, naps and activity patterns can vary considerably from one baby to another.
When visiting a daycare, ask how the infant program approaches individual routines and how educators learn about each child’s usual schedule.
You may want to discuss:
- Feeding routines
- Nap schedules
- Diapering and hygiene
- Comforting routines
- Age-appropriate activities
- Transitions as your baby grows
Clear conversations about these routines can help parents understand how care at the centre will fit with their baby’s routine at home.
4. Meet the Educators Who Will Care for Your Baby
The relationship between infants and their caregivers is an important part of the childcare experience.
During your daycare visit, observe how educators speak to, comfort and interact with babies. Look for patient, attentive and responsive interactions.
Ask how educators communicate with parents and how families receive information about their child’s day.
Good communication is especially valuable during infancy because routines and needs can change quickly as babies grow.
5. Look for Age-Appropriate Learning and Play
Infant care involves much more than simply supervising babies throughout the day. Infants are constantly learning about the world around them through movement, sounds, touch, interaction and exploration.
A childcare environment should provide developmentally appropriate opportunities for babies to explore safely.
Depending on a child’s age and stage of development, this can include supervised floor play, sensory experiences, songs, stories, movement and interaction with educators.
Parents can ask what types of activities are incorporated into the infant program and how those activities change as children develop new abilities.
Learn more about Ellwood Daycare’s infant care program and our approach to caring for young children.
6. Ask How Feeding Is Managed
Feeding is naturally an important consideration for families with infants.
Ask the daycare how feeding instructions are communicated, how bottles or food brought from home are handled when applicable, and how dietary requirements or allergies are documented.
As children grow and transition toward the centre’s regular meal program, parents should also understand what food is provided and what is included in childcare fees.
Meals at Ellwood Daycare
Ellwood Daycare & OSC provides breakfast, a hot meal and snacks as part of its childcare offering for children participating in the applicable meal program. Parents can speak directly with the centre about feeding arrangements appropriate for their infant’s age and stage.
7. Find Out How the Daycare Communicates With Parents
For parents leaving an infant at daycare, communication can make a significant difference in feeling connected and informed.
Before enrolling, ask what information the centre provides about your child’s day and how parents can contact the daycare when necessary.
Communication may include information about feeding, naps, activities, routines or other important observations.
Parents should feel comfortable asking questions and discussing changes in their baby’s routine with the childcare team.
8. Consider Location and Your Daily Routine
Quality of care is essential, but location matters too.
Parents may be making the daycare trip twice every weekday, often while also travelling to work, school or other commitments. Edmonton traffic, weather and winter driving can make convenience even more important.
For families living in South Edmonton, choosing a daycare near home or along a regular commuting route can make everyday drop-offs and pickups easier.
Ellwood Daycare & OSC is located in the Ellwood area of South Edmonton and serves families from nearby communities including Summerside, Ellerslie, The Orchards and surrounding neighbourhoods.
9. Understand Daycare Fees, Availability and Registration
Once you find an infant daycare you are comfortable with, ask about the practical details before making your final decision.
These may include current availability, childcare fees, what is included, registration requirements and the process for securing a space.
Families can review Ellwood Daycare’s current daycare rates for more information about childcare costs.
If you’re comparing childcare expenses more generally, read our guide: How Much Does Daycare Cost in Edmonton?
Parents should also check current information about childcare affordability programs or government support that may apply to their family. Because programs, eligibility requirements and fees can change, current information should always be confirmed through official sources and directly with the childcare provider.
10. Give Yourself Time to Make the Decision
Choosing infant care is a personal family decision. A daycare that works well for one child or family may not necessarily be the right fit for another.
Visit the centre, ask questions and consider how you feel about the environment, educators, communication and daily routines.
It can also help to prepare your questions before touring so you can compare different childcare options consistently.
Looking for Infant Daycare in South Edmonton?
Ellwood Daycare & OSC provides infant childcare for families in South Edmonton. Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing and engaging environment while maintaining open communication with families.
Explore our infant daycare program, review our daycare rates, or visit our registration page to learn more.
Schedule a Daycare Tour