Enrolling your child in an early childhood service puts parents and caregivers in a position of great vulnerability. Concrete support is often lacking, and you're confronted with prejudices that increase anxiety and worry: how do you choose an educational service? Did I make the right choice?
It's essential to recognize that all the emotions that emerge at this stage are legitimate. There are no right or wrong emotions: you are making decisions for a being who depends entirely on you, and every feeling is valid.
How many types of services are there?
There are several types of educational services, each with specific characteristics. Nurseries and micro-nurseries welcome children from 3 to 36 months, promoting care, autonomy, and socialization. «Spring sections» welcome children from 24 to 36 months, often integrated with preschools to ensure continuity. There are also supplementary services such as play spaces (12–36 months, maximum five hours a day), family and children's centers, and family daycare homes, which offer a more intimate, home-like environment.
How to choose: visit the facility
Once you've identified the type of service, it's essential to visit the facility. Ask the coordinator if you can see the spaces: observe them, ask whether they are safe and stimulating. If your little one is already born, bring them along and picture them in that setting. Take their specific needs into account — for example, if you have a high-need-for-contact baby, check whether the service has baby wraps or carriers available.
The visit is also an opportunity to ask questions: from opening hours and fee structures to more specific ones. What is the educational approach? How does the day unfold? What is the educator-to-child ratio? What training does the staff have?
After the choice: how to know if it's the right one
Children, even very young ones, communicate whether they're doing well or not: observe their behavior. Educational staff should be available to answer your questions and offer you support. Comparing notes with other parents can be helpful, but remember that every experience is subjective: what works for one child and family may not work for another.
An African proverb says «it takes a village to raise a child»: the educational service you choose will become part of your village. Take the time you need for this choice, and trust your instinct — your child will show you if you're on the right path.