6 Tips For Using Online Reviews To Choose Child Care
Through better research, we are finding out that our children"s healthy development, and their success later in life is dependent upon receiving safe, positive, and developmentally appropriate experiences early in life.
Parents who are well-informed about their child"s need for these positive and enriching experiences are more careful when selecting a child care program for their child. Yet, during the search for a quality program, parents can run into a lot of conflicting information -- like online reviews -- that often make the search harder rather than easier.
Online review sites have become crucial tools to consumers looking to make educated decisions. Yet, while online review sites can provide valuable information to parents seeking out quality child care, it is important to keep a few things in mind when evaluating a child care center:
One person"s experience is not representative of everyone else"s. Far too often people will see one really bad review and move on. Try to be a little more rational. One person may have had a bad experience and spent a lot of time writing a really bad review as part of their venting process, but this does not mean that the center is bad overall. If you see a negative review, look to see if there are positive ones that counter it. For instance if one parent is fuming mad that their child was not changed enough during the day, but three other reviews state how caring and attentive the staff is, then you can probably assume the bad experience was an anomaly. If, however, you see many negative reviews about the same thing, then be cautious.
Be wary of ratings. Don"t just look at a school and decide to go there based on a 5-star rating. Conversely, don"t eliminate a school based solely on a 1-star rating. Take a moment and look at the number of reviews that rating is based on. A rating based on twenty reviews is far more credible that a rating based on one or two reviews.
Look for robust profiles. By this, we mean look for the centers that have taken the time to claim their online listings and to fill them with useful information, videos, etc. A center that takes the time to include all the information parents need and is willing to "show off" online is probably proactive in creating a good learning environment as well.
Look for responses to negative reviews. The fact that the center has taken time to respond to negative reviews is a sign that they take their reputation seriously. Furthermore, a center that responds in a positive and helpful way shows that they can take criticism, respond to it professionally, and work to improve. It is a good sign they are level-headed professionals that will handle any complaints you may have with the same level of professionalism.
Contact your state licensing agency. Angry parents may rant and rave about a bad experience, but it is a good idea to check with state licensing to see if the center has been cited for any licensing violations. Angry parents can blow a small problem up into a big one, especially where their kids are concerned. So, it can be helpful to get some information from a neutral third party.
Always visit. No matter how good a place looks on "paper" make sure you visit. Someone else"s comments and ratings might not coincide with your own evaluation; so make time to take a tour. Go meet the staff and the person who will be caring for your child to ensure that you feel comfortable leaving your child there while you are gone.
Parents who are well-informed about their child"s need for these positive and enriching experiences are more careful when selecting a child care program for their child. Yet, during the search for a quality program, parents can run into a lot of conflicting information -- like online reviews -- that often make the search harder rather than easier.
Online review sites have become crucial tools to consumers looking to make educated decisions. Yet, while online review sites can provide valuable information to parents seeking out quality child care, it is important to keep a few things in mind when evaluating a child care center:
One person"s experience is not representative of everyone else"s. Far too often people will see one really bad review and move on. Try to be a little more rational. One person may have had a bad experience and spent a lot of time writing a really bad review as part of their venting process, but this does not mean that the center is bad overall. If you see a negative review, look to see if there are positive ones that counter it. For instance if one parent is fuming mad that their child was not changed enough during the day, but three other reviews state how caring and attentive the staff is, then you can probably assume the bad experience was an anomaly. If, however, you see many negative reviews about the same thing, then be cautious.
Be wary of ratings. Don"t just look at a school and decide to go there based on a 5-star rating. Conversely, don"t eliminate a school based solely on a 1-star rating. Take a moment and look at the number of reviews that rating is based on. A rating based on twenty reviews is far more credible that a rating based on one or two reviews.
Look for robust profiles. By this, we mean look for the centers that have taken the time to claim their online listings and to fill them with useful information, videos, etc. A center that takes the time to include all the information parents need and is willing to "show off" online is probably proactive in creating a good learning environment as well.
Look for responses to negative reviews. The fact that the center has taken time to respond to negative reviews is a sign that they take their reputation seriously. Furthermore, a center that responds in a positive and helpful way shows that they can take criticism, respond to it professionally, and work to improve. It is a good sign they are level-headed professionals that will handle any complaints you may have with the same level of professionalism.
Contact your state licensing agency. Angry parents may rant and rave about a bad experience, but it is a good idea to check with state licensing to see if the center has been cited for any licensing violations. Angry parents can blow a small problem up into a big one, especially where their kids are concerned. So, it can be helpful to get some information from a neutral third party.
Always visit. No matter how good a place looks on "paper" make sure you visit. Someone else"s comments and ratings might not coincide with your own evaluation; so make time to take a tour. Go meet the staff and the person who will be caring for your child to ensure that you feel comfortable leaving your child there while you are gone.
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