There are many factors that come into play when looking through available daycare centers for your child. The education plan may be the first thing many parents look at whereas other parents look towards the teacher-child ratio.

But many poor childcare centers are chosen based on these criteria without noticing the smaller signs. It may look clean and all the paperwork may be in order, but the center could have deeper flaws not always immediately seen.

All such facilities should operate under one philosophy. That philosophy should be to protect child welfare and interests, as well as to provide education. Yes, it is true that some child care centers do not adhere to these values, but thankfully, those are few and far between. There are ways to go about seeing what a top notch daycare facility really should be and you might be surprised to learn that they are always right under your nose.

It is remarkably easy for the subtle nuances of daycare centers to go unnoticed. Children are the greatest clues as to the beliefs that a child care provider displays.

If you walk into a daycare and notice teachers playing an active role in the children's happiness as well as being attentive, you can get a very good idea how the staff interacts with their wards. The same holds true for teachers who seem to be impatient or upset over a child crying or fussing.

If the children seem anxious or continuously upset over a particular staff member or teacher, you may want to investigate further. Use your eyes, ears and nose in help detecting whether or not the daycare center is for your child.

Most parents visit a center with the eyes of an adult. Instead ask your child what he or she thinks. Yes, that may be difficult if the child has never been in another person's care before or is too young to express his or herself, but it is possible to read visual cues.

Do not despair if searching through daycare centers seems to take a long time. Ultimately, your child's well being is more important than the time it takes to check into each facility within your budget.

If the child is truly unhappy with his or her caregivers, you will see the repercussions. Eventually you will find a preschool that meets your needs as well as your child's needs.