As I continue growing in my purpose to nurture, support and guide little hearts – I watch as my journey unfolds gracefully with time. I am in no rush because I understand that even though I am one person with just 2 hands and a big heart, I for one, need to be graceful and aware of my growth. I work with little delicate tiny humans, and I understand that the work I do is very rooted in nurturing them.
In this post I’m going to take a gentle dive into childcare environments when looking for a childcare center for your child.
The word Nurture is used to describe environmental factors that influence the development of a child – Cultural background, Experiences, Educational opportunities and Parenting styles. Understanding these layers can help you choose a space where your child can feel safe, supported and free to grow.
Recently, a thoughtful reader suggested a topic that challenged me to look from the outside in, it truly spoke to my heart: “Finding Childcare from an Educator’s perspective”. That insight reminded me how important it is to support busy parents – not only by helping them understand their Child’s development, but by standing beside them with support through these decisions. One of the most powerful ways we can do this is by building trust. It’s about creating an environment that is safe, grounded in care and designed to nurture the Whole Child – Body, Mind, heart and Spirit (Read about Nurturing Children through a Whole-Child Lense here).
What to look for in a Quality Childcare Environment and Leading questions to ask
Through my experiences, I’ve come to learn that quality child-care isn’t about perfection – its about intentionality, safety and connection. Whether you are searching for a daycare, preschool or in-home provider, here are the elements I believe every parent should look for – paired with questions to help guide your search.
1. A nurturing Atmosphere
Children thrive when they feel safe, seen and valued. We nurture children by providing comfort, guiding them through building relationships (Often modeled) and by how we deal with challenging behaviors.
Ask:
- How do you comfort a child who is upset or struggling to transition?
- Can you describe how you build relationships with each child?
- How do you handle challenging behaviors?
2. Predictable Routine and Gentle Structure
When children know what to expect, they feel safe. A steady rhythm helps children feel secure and confident in their environment. When they know what to expect. It also helps them understand boundaries, they develop respect, and it gives them a sense of embracing somebody else’s individuality.
Ask:
- What does a typical day look like here?
- How do you support children during transition (e.g from playtime to lunch or nap time)?
- Are there regualar times for outdor play, rest and quiet moments?
3. Stimulating Environment
A well-designed space reflects thoughtfulness and understands children’s developmental needs and supports brain development, engagement and exploration. It helps children make meaningful connections and process the world around them.
Ask:
- Can I take a look around the space?
- What kinds of toys and materials do you use?
- How do you ensure safety while children are using these materials?
4. Respect for Developmental pace
Every child is different, different personalities, interests and different timelines. It is important to accept the child as they are and to nurture that little spark until it becomes a shooting star.
Ask:
- How do you support different developmental levels?
- Do you individualize activities based on interests/abilities?
- How do you encourage emotional growth?
5. Clear, Respectful communications with parents
When Educators and parents intentionally sit and share each other’s goals, the child is able to pick up on consistency therefore will understand expectations (“If we are kind and respectful at school, we do the same at home and visa versa”). This sets the child up for success!
Ask:
- How often do you communicate with parents about their children’s development and activities?
- Are the opportunities to check in regularly or ask questions?
- How do you handle concerns/differences expressed by the parents or feedback about care?
Before closing, I want to share something meaningful from a conversation I had with my husband, Milton. I asked him what he would look for if we were searching for a daycare for future child/children. He said the first thing he’d look at is reviews, followed by the layout and pictures of the center—especially noticing how diverse the children and staff appear in any photos available. When visiting a center in person, he’d pay close attention to cleanliness, the age and demeanor of the teachers (he believes age often reflects maturity, which I found to be a really interesting point), the play areas, and the types of toys offered. His approach is very observational—he would let the environment guide the questions. What stood out to me from that conversation is how many ways there are to evaluate a potential childcare environment—and how both parents can bring unique perspectives to the decision-making process.
Supporting the Transition
It’s also important to remember that every school or center will have its own way of supporting children through the transition process. Educators understand that starting school is a big shift for a young child, so many programs offer gradual entry options, like beginning with a two-hour visit and slowly increasing the time over several days. When parents can be flexible with this approach, it often makes the transition smoother and more successful for everyone.
Final thoughts: Trust the journey!
As much as this shift is a big one for your child, it’s a big one for you, too. Not so long ago, your little one was tiny and scrunchie in your arms—and now they’re beginning to show their own little personality, their own spark. Choosing child care means learning to trust others, yes—but it also means learning to trust yourself.
Trust your instincts. You know your child. You know what feels right. You don’t have to be an expert to sense when something aligns with your values or when a space feels truly safe and nurturing.
And trust your child, too. They may be shy at first—and that’s okay. But look closely for the signs: a spark of curiosity, a quiet glance at a toy, the way they lean in when a teacher speaks gently to them. These little moments matter. They tell you when a space is becoming a safe place for your child to explore, grow, and belong.
Thank you to every single person that takes the time out of your day to read, like, share or comment on my blog. You may not realize it but your presence here is part of what keeps me going. This part of the internet has become a soft place for me to land, to process and to reflect. If you are ever have something you are wondering about or would like me to write on, please don’t hesitate to ask. I might not always have the perfect words, but I promise I’ll meet your topic with heart and care. This blog is as much yours as is mine.
To the dearest reader who suggested this topic – Thank you! You reminded me why I started writing in the first place. This entry wouldn’t have come together without you – I am truly grateful. I do hope it gave you the insight you were looking for.
Until next time!
Gracefully
Nomagugu Luna
Rooted-Gracefully.com 