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Activity - Choosing The Right Daycare Option

By Rachel Lacourciere, edHelperBaby

Choosing The Right Daycare Option

Choosing where your baby will spend his or her days once you return to work can be one of the most challenging questions you will have to answer as a new parent.  That is why it is important to start exploring your childcare options early.  One of the best ways to get started is by contacting your local childcare referral agency.  They will be able to tell you what the local licensing requirements are in your area and how to find out about center and caregiver violations.  Additionally, it is important to talk to family and friends that live locally to see if they can provide any childcare recommendations for you to begin with.               Then you and your partner should begin visiting with caregivers (providing care in their home or yours) and/or childcare centers that you are interested in learning more about.  During each visit you should ask a set of questions you have prepared ahead of time (see next section: Possible Visitation Questions) so you can later go back and evaluate each caregiver's/center's answers.  You will then be able to compare their answers to how you and your partner would like the questions answered to arrive at your best possible match.

Possible Visitation Questions

Consider asking any of the following when preparing your childcare interviewing questions.               Questions to ask yourself about the caregiver/center: Is the area welcoming and pleasant? Is the caregiver/center convenient to your home? Is the caregiver/center convenient to your work? Is the caregiver/center convenient to your pediatrician? Is the caregiver/center eligible to be part of any financial assistance programs offered by the government? Is the caregiver/center eligible to be part of any financial assistance programs offered by my employer?                Questions to ask the caregiver/center: Is there an application or reservation fee? What is your regular weekly fee? Does the weekly price rise each year? Is a discount offered if an entire week of childcare is missed? I do not require childcare in the summer; do I still need to pay for these missed weeks to hold a spot for the coming school year? What are regular drop-off/pick-up hours? Are there additional hours for early drop-off or late pick-up? What is your policy on sick children? What are your teacher/caregiver qualifications and certifications? (i.e., early childhood education, CPR) Has the teacher/caregiver had a background check? What, if any, accreditations does your childcare program have? What ongoing education or activities does the teacher/caregiver have to take part in to keep his/her knowledge current?                Additional questions specific to the caregiver: How long have you been caring for children? Do you have any children of your own? What is the maximum number of children you can care for at one time? What is the maximum number of children you have ever cared for at one time? How many children will you be caring for if my baby also comes under your care? What are the ages of the children you are currently caring for? What are the ages of the children you have cared for previously? What is your plan during an emergency? Do you have references? Do you smoke?                Additional questions specific to the center: What is your teacher to child ratio? What is the size of the group my baby will start in? What is the size of the group(s) my baby will move on to? How do you decide to move a child to an older room? What is your turnover rate? What security do you have in place? I am currently breast-feeding; will I be able to do this in the room my baby is a part of?

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