Finding a Child Care Provider

General Advice

When finding a child care provider, the most important thing is to follow your intuition. If you don't feel comfortable with a certain person or in a certain environment, look for another option. Also, most child care centers offer an "open door" policy, meaning you are free to come in and visit anytime you like. If a center does not offer this, be wary. A parent should be able to visit their own child anytime throughout the day. When interviewing child care providers, don't be afraid to ask questions. If a non-smoking environment is important to you, say so. If you need to know their policies about breast milk or toilet training, ask. Nothing is more important than your child's health and happiness. Any good child care provider will understand your apprehension.

Child Care Options

As you begin finding a child care provide, remember that you do have options.

Day Care Center

Most areas have many day care centers to choose from, ranging from large chains like KinderCare to small, single-owner operations. Some daycare centers are housed in churches and thus, have a religious affiliation. There are pros and cons of choosing a large chain over a smaller center. Often, to carry the name of the large chain, each individual center must comply with rules regarding cleanliness, child to teacher ratio, and curriculum guidelines. But sometimes, staff turnover can be higher in a large center, meaning that a child may go through several teachers in a relatively short period of time.

In-Home Day Care

In-home day care centers vary widely. Some are very informal; just a mother who finances staying home with her own kids by taking care of a few other children as well. Other in-home day care centers are licensed through the state and may have altered parts of their home to accommodate the daycare facility. Some in-home daycare providers may have hired help so that they could care for more children.

In-home day care centers are often less expensive than daycares in a more formal setting. Some parents feel that home daycares are more comfortable for their children and they like the idea that just one person is caring for their child. This does have a drawback though. If that person is sick or busy, you may be left without child care one day.

Oftentimes, daycare centers have a more formal structure than in-home daycares. In many home daycares, children of all ages free play together and the children are not separated by age, as they are in most daycare centers. While it is good for children to learn to play with other kids of various ages, participating in structured, age appropriate activities is also very beneficial.

Baby Sitter or Nanny

Having a baby sitter or nanny come to the parents' home to care for their children is another child care option. Many families like this option because it allows their children to remain in their own home, where they are the most comfortable. It is also convenient if a parent has to stay at work later than expected because he does not have to worry about picking the kids up from a center at a certain time. This option does have the drawback that if the baby sitter or nanny is ill, there is usually no back-up person.

Although hiring a nanny is out of many people's price range, it can be made more affordable by sharing a nanny with another family. Some families alternate whose home the nanny comes to each week and they split the cost based on how many children each family has.

Finding a Child Care Provider Summary

Choosing a child care provider is one of the most important decisions working parents will make for their children. Whether you choose a daycare center, an in-home daycare, or hire a baby sitter or nanny, the most important consideration is that you - and your child - feel comfortable with the choice you make.

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