The beautiful beaches, ample sunshine, and friendly neighborhoods make moving to San Diego an exciting process! But, as with every move, it can be a potentially stressful experience, especially when you have children. One of the most important things to consider when relocating to San Diego with kids is the availability and quality of different child care options. Here are five of our top child care considerations when moving to San Diego.
1. Research Child Care Providers
Many of our families that relocate to San Diego are coming from San Francisco, or are military families that are new to the area. Take note that the child care landscape in each city varies greatly and a lot of research is necessary.
Before you move, take the time to research the different child care options available in San Diego. Child care providers here come in all shapes and sizes, including center-based child care centers, in-home child care services, private nanny services, and so much more. We recommend looking for providers that are licensed by Community Care Licensing under the California State Department of Social Services , have an exceptional curriculum, and a good reputation. With plenty of child care options in San Diego, you’ll be able to find a setting that suits your family perfectly.
When researching schools, look far and wide for diverse programs. Take this time to explore centers in San Diego with different preschool philosophies to see which best aligns with your family’s values. Some child care centers in San Diego offer additional unique services that might appeal to your family like language/learning, music, physical education, and more. Additional programs won’t only enrich your child’s learning experience, but will also give them an opportunity to explore new areas of interest.
Looking for the highest indicator of quality child care? A center accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a sure sign that the school is following a rigorous set of standards for your child’s benefit.
2. Consider the Cost
Child care in San Diego can be expensive. It’s important to understand the costs associated with different types of providers and to factor this into your budget. Depending on the type of care and the location, costs can vary significantly. Private center-based preschools will be more expensive, while options like family child care homes and public schools will be cheaper. It’s important to get a clear understanding of these costs that are associated with each provider in San Diego that you are considering to make sure that the cost fits within your family’s budget.
We don’t post our preschool tuition rates online here at Kids’ Care Club due to individual factors that shape cost, but we welcome you to tour our school for a comprehensive information packet that will include the price of our tuition. This packet will also highlight all of the services that are factored into our tuition, and what makes Kids’ Care Club so special.
3. Location, location, location
The proximity of child care providers to your home or place of work is one of the most important factors to consider. Will you be able to drop off and pick up your child easily? Will you need to factor in additional travel time that’s unrealistic for your family? We recommend our working parents to be realistic in terms of travel distance for your prospective preschools.
4. Check for availability
It’s never too early to start your search for child care, as child care providers in San Diego can fill up quickly! This is especially true for popular programs, or during peak enrollment periods at the beginning of the school year. It’s becoming increasingly common for providers to have waiting lists, so it’s an excellent idea to tour a few options right away in case your first choice isn’t available.
5. Get Recommendations
See what other parents are saying online, or ask other parents that you know personally for recommendations on child care providers in San Diego. They may have valuable insights into the quality of care and personalities of different providers in the area. We encourage you to check out testimonials or reviews of the center, though take these with a grain of salt as they are highly subjective to an individual family’s experience. Rather, take note of any red flags and use these as starting questions for your tour.
Ultimately, the most important thing to do is to tour the school in person and assess the pros and cons of each based on your own experience. Make sure to do your research beforehand, jot down all of your questions, and ask them during your tour.
Let the search begin!
Finding the right child care option for your child in San Diego takes time and research. Take the time to consider the needs of your child and your family to find the best fit. Take your time, don’t rush the process, and make sure to consider the availability, cost, location, and reputation of each child care provider.
If you’re moving to San Diego, we invite you to contact us to schedule a tour today to visit our center and see all that Kids’ Care Club has to offer to our families! Tours are the perfect opportunity to explore whether Kids’ Care Club is the right fit for your family. You’ll get a program overview, observe the numerous free-play and structured activities taking place in our classrooms, visit our outdoor garden, and ask any questions you have to our administrators. We look forward to meeting you.
