I was out on a mommies’ night out with some friends I met at Lauren’s playgroup. Naturally, the topic of childcare and education popped up. One of them used to work in one of Singapore most prestigious and expensive preschool. She revealed many appalling things she had seen there. So when it comes to choosing a preschool for her child, she is naturally choosy and has visited over 30 campuses.

While my fellow mommy bloggers had already blogged about questions to ask, what to expect when starting preschool, and blow-by-blow accounts of each visit, I shall share the insider tips on what to look out for when we visit a childcare centre or preschool.

Go in an hour early or later than appointed time
Child care centres and preschools usually have an allocated timing every day for visits. This is usually when the children separated by their ages (easier to manage), while the teachers knowing it is visitors time, are usually on their best behaviour. So try catching them off guard when you visit outside the regular visiting hours. See if there is any difference in the teachers’ demeanour and tone of voice when there aren’t any visitors around.

Also, try popping in at different hours of the day. It allows you to get a sense of how the staff interacts with the kids at different hours and routine. Be wary of childcare centre that discourages parents from stopping by unannounced.

The toy box
The best toys and books are usually displayed on the shelves. But those are not all the toys your child would be playing with. Ask to see the toy box. That’s where you might find broken and dirty toys. Or worse, small parts that may be choking hazard to young children.

Inspect the ‘other’ classroom
Each centre usually has a ‘dressed up’ classroom for visitors. They make sure this room is clean and tidy. Have a look at another classroom to make sure it is as immaculate as the one they show you.

Ask for teachers turnover rate
Children need consistent, predictable care. They can’t form a secure attachment to their caregivers if the staff keeps changing. Find out how long as the current caregivers have been working there and how much turnover the centre usually experiences. Also, better caregivers usually have a higher standard and wouldn’t stay very long at a subpar centre.

Caregiver’s age
If they are wishy-washy on their staff turnover rate, try to gauge the teacher/staff’s age. If they look like they are fresh out of college, chances are they won’t stay long. And if they are too old, they are most likely to be very demanding.

Look at the food and taste them if you can
Don’t just trust the weekly menu the school show you. According to my source, a penne bolognese could just mean pasta dressed in tomato sauce, while chicken rice is just flavoured rice, no chicken. If possible, taste the food to gauge whether it has too much salt or has MSG added.

Gut feeling
Trust your gut feeling. Another mum told me, at her son’s last childcare centre, every time she visited, any carer who saw her first would always yell out “[Insert child’s name]’s mum is here!”, even before she reached her son’s classroom. Trust your gut feeling. If you feel something is amiss, you are probably right.

As for me, I’m intending to keep Lauren at home until she is at least four years old. But it is easier said than done. Because everywhere I go, people are asking me which school she is attending. I get weird looks when I say she stays at home. So maybe one day, I might succumb and send her to school. Until then, I’m taking my time visiting preschool every now and then and hopefully, I don’t have to visit 30 campuses before making up my mind.

So tell me, how did you decide on your child’s preschool or daycare centre? What do you look for and what are the deal breakers for you?

PS: Dominique from Dominique’s Desk has kindly shared a downloadable complete guide to choose the right childcare center here.

PPS: 7 first aid skills every parent should know.