The first three years of a baby's life, the brain grows and develops significantly and patterns of thinking and responding are established. It is the parents job to make sure your baby develops appropriately and thrive socially, physically, and cognitively throughout life. Therefore, you and the environment that you create for your baby will influence the way he/she deals with his/her emotions, the way he/she interacts with people, the way he/she thinks and the way he/she grows physically. This is why it is extremely imperative that you choose a daycare center that gives your child the care he/she needs and deserves.
             The components of a good environment include: proper nutrition; a warm, responsive, and loving environment; fun playtime; consistent positive reinforcement; engaging conversation; good books to read and to listen to; music to stimulate brain activities; and the freedom to explore and learn from their surroundings. Also, generally smaller groups offer children a better chance to interact with and learn from one another. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, here are ideal rates and group sizes from birth to Kindergarten.
             In a good child-care setting, there is a favorable adult/child ratio. The younger the child, the more adults there should be in each group. This enables the care givers to keep the children safe and be attentive to the children's needs.
             Here are some other factors to consider for your child. First, I will discuss your child as an infant or toddler (through age three). Does the caregiver: enjoy cuddling your baby; properly care for your child's physical needs, such as feeding and diapering; spend plenty of time holding talking, and playing with your child; help your child find interesting things to look at, touch, and hear; cooperate with you in teaching your toddler how to use the toilet; and provide a safe environment for children who are beginning to cra...