I received a thank you gift basket for providing my experience and knowledge of TLC Schools. However, all the comments and opinions are my own.
While I may office from home, my schedule requires designated “work time” and flexibility to meet with clients on a moment’s notice. So before my daughter was born, I researched for months to find the right day care that met my family’s needs and my child could prosper and grow throughout the almost 50 hours a week that she would be there.
Thankfully, I was relieved three years ago we found a home at TLC Schools, a locally owned and operated school system with three locations in Plano and Arlington. Voted “Best in Child Care” by LIVING Magazine in 2014, TLC Schools provide everything (and more) I was looking for with a focus on the three Es: Education, Environment and what I like to refer to as all the Extras you won’t often find at other day care facilities. While finding the right day care isn’t easy, but using the three Es from my experience, you can streamline your process while also choosing the perfect fit for your family.
1. ENVIRONMENT
First and foremost, while education is VERY important, you really should find a school or day care that has the right balance for your child’s need of learning, nurturing and fun.
From around three months old, the biggest factor that won me over at TLC Schools was how “safe” I felt leaving my bundle of joy with them each day. No matter what member of the staff I may pass in the hall, everyone shares with me the details of my daughter’s day including what funny thing she said at lunch or the big milestones she might have experienced throughout her school day. This means a lot to me not only because the staff is able to share these big moments with me and make me a part of them, but also because I know that they are taking care of her with watchful eyes as well as hearts. Use of individual door codes for entry and a well-watched check-in and check-out system also increase the safety of the day care for my child. However, I know sometimes you might need more…
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Just by taking a look around a day care facility, you can see if the staff is creative with the kids. Beyond the colorful walls and furniture at TLC, every season the school is decorated from top to bottom with fun themes including in the classrooms. The doors, walls and even the ceilings make it a fun place for the kids to enjoy as they sing, hear stories or even celebrate the holidays with class parties!
When looking at day care facilities, ask to see their menu plans and what modifications are available if your child is on a special diet. Quite possibly one of my daughter’s favorite parts about TLC is the food. Healthy snacks, breakfast and lunch are prepared daily for the kids, served and eaten in the classroom. One of our hardest challenges at home had been getting my daughter to eat her vegetables, but thankfully through the assistance and patience of her TLC teacher, she not only eats her vegetables, but enjoys them, too!
2. Education
No matter the age of your child, learning is happening in everything that they do, say and observe – especially at day care. When selecting a day care, ask what types of activities the kids are doing, what concepts they are learning and even for the younger kids what book or song they sang that day! At TLC, education is based on the age group of each child using the HighReach Curriculum for Infants/Toddlers and for the older children they use the ABeka Curriculum, a recognized development approach for their learning platforms. Additionally, computers classes, music classes, language classes (sign language and Spanish) are offered to help children not to just learn the basics, but increase their learning spectrum, as well as having fun while they learn.
[Tweet “Learn the 3 Es for Choosing the Best Day Care for Your Family on @mamachallenge. @TLCSchoolsDFW #BesttheyCanBe “]
And education at the day care shouldn’t just stop at the kids! When speaking with a potential day care, make sure to ask questions about the teachers’ education levels. At TLC for instance, all of the teachers are requested to obtain their degree (if they don’t have one already) while completing continuing education classes, and maintaining CPR and first-aid certifications.
3. Extras
At many day cares you probably think of the “extras” as all the “other” things you have to pay for in addition to your tuition. However, you want to select a facility that provides options that you didn’t even know you needed, but help to round out the ideal experience for your child.
For instance at TLC Schools, in addition to regular day care, the facilities offer:
- Kindergarten (at select locations)
- After-school programs for school-age kid with included bus pick-up
- Summer camp with weekly field trips
- Extracurricular activities on site like gymnastics or karate classes
- Drop-in day care for those days public school might be closed, but you still need care for your children.
Another great “extra” I didn’t even know I needed was the included diaper + wipes bundle for your little one with your tuition. While you have the option to bring your own supplies, it makes it so much easier (and cheaper) to not have to remember all that “stuff” in the diaper bag!
Interested in learning more about TLC Schools DFW?
Stop by the open house at TLC’s Hedgcoxe location in Plano on Thursday, Oct. 9 or the Democracy location in Plano on Thursday, Oct. 23. If you can’t make it to open house, request a one-on-one tour by calling your preferred TLC School location.
To learn more about TLC Schools DFW, visit them online, on Facebook or Twitter.
I really like these three E’s! Education seems to be especially important, given the malleability of young children. As you say, they’re constantly learning at that age, so you want to make sure that they’re being exposed to quality things. A good day care center can make all the difference, I think. Thanks for the helpful advice!