A parent might have to make the decision of sending their child to an early learning centre when they have a job to commit to. However dire the case may be, any parent would want to make sure their child is in safe, responsible hands. That’s why they go through a lot of hassle when it comes to picking a centre with a great environment, and the perfect practitioners.

So what makes a practitioner “perfect”? A degree in their hands may make them sound skilled, but teachers for young children need to have qualities that will help motivate children and make them feel comfortable even when their parents aren’t around – and unfortunately, an institution can’t just teach these values.

We have prepared a “quality checklist” for you so that picking a daycare with great teachers is  a breeze:

Communication is key

A good daycare teacher knows how to communicate with children at their level, both with words and without.

Yes, we mean that – a non-verbal form of communication includes attentive listening, close attention to a child’s habits like a way of standing, sitting or facial expression, and more. After all, sometimes a child’s real needs can be communicated better without words.

Teachers should also keep up good communication with the child’s parents about his/her progress, habits, problems and achievements, so both sides know what is helping the child and what isn’t. They should also maintain a good connection with the daycare itself – and that includes other teachers, the administration as well as the school principal. The more effectively the teacher can communicate with everyone, the more rewarding the job will be.

Positive outlook for children

The most important characteristic for teachers of early childhood development is positivity and enthusiasm for and towards children. You can take Linda Smith’s word for it (executive director of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies), who says that a characteristic of a good practitioner is having a natural, empathetic affinity for children. Such a practitioner feels comfortable and motivated while working in a child’s environment, regardless of how stressful it can get. Even a smile on their face can help children have a fun time.

Knowledgeable at best

In cases of emergency, a good practitioner should most importantly be able to handle any crisis. The more informed he/she is in things like first aid, CPR, Heimlich manoeuvre or responses to allergies, then the safer children will feel being around them. In turn, parents will feel a lot more secure knowing that their child can be taken care of in dire cases of emergencies. This instance of being knowledgeable can be as simple as a willingness to learn nutritional food choices for children. The point is to reassure the parent that their child will be kept safe and healthy.

Creativity and Flexibility

Any regular teacher can sit down and plan an entire course for children – but the real skill comes into play when you have to adapt your lessons to every individual child’s needs. Creativity is needed when educating children in a fun, interactive and engaging way. Flexibility comes in when you have to dodge glitches and make sure that no child is left out during any lesson. Balancing the two takes time, but it is necessary when you have to work in an environment as unstable as that of toddlers, where anyone throwing a tantrum can throw your flow off. In such cases, having to change your plans and ideas as needed becomes necessary.

Practitioners at Oakfield Nursery JLT, available for many areas in Dubai like JLT, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Parks and Barsha Heights have all these qualities and more – they are sensitive when handling children, they are patient while handling them, compassionate for their feelings (no matter how seemingly simple) – and most of all, empathetic towards their needs.

After all, that is our philosophy: to make a difference to every child by unlocking their door to learning, while simultaneously overcoming any obstacle in the way.