Nowadays it’s a luxury to have a parent stay home and raise his or her own child.  Today’s reality is that most families must rely on a childcare provider to care for their children while both parents are at work.  But where do you get started in choosing the right childcare provider?  Take a moment to think about what qualities are most important to you in terms of childcare.  Maybe you would like to see your child in a quiet, nurturing environment with plenty of adult attention.  Perhaps you might prefer a more social environment with lots of children and action.  Or else, your preference may be a more of a family type setting.  The answer that you come up with will help you decide what kind of daycare best suits your needs.

What Types of Daycare Do We Have ?

• Informal

Informal childcare is arranged though a relative, neighbor, nanny or friend.  Someone may advertise in the paper or online but may not be regulated through any nursery act.  An informal deal is most likely able to suit a busy or irregular schedule, as it is a very personalized relationship.  It also allows you to set up an arrangement where your child can be cared for in your own home.

• Home Daycare

Usually run out of a family home, a home daycare offers the feel of a small, family-like setting.  A major advantage of a home daycare is that it can allow children of the same family to be cared for together, close to their school and home.  Check into licensing policies in your own region (some areas allow home daycares to be licensed). You should be aware, however, that a license is not a guarantee in quality but rather represents a minimum standard in health and safety. It also varies as to how many children a single childcare provider may care for.  You should check into your local guidelines to ensure that this number is not being exceeded.

• Daycare Center

Usually more “school” like than family oriented, daycare centers employ early childhood educators.  The groups of children are much larger than allowed in a home daycare, which makes the dynamic very different.  The services range from nursery school to full day, part day, extended hours and before and after school programs.  All must be licensed and insured.  Also, daycare centers are required to follow a learning and meal plan and are subject to regular inspections to ensure they are compliant.

Questions to Ask at the Interview

Before making the decision where to place your child, it’s extremely important that you meet the daycare operator and tour the facility first.  Since this is the place where your child will be spending most of their time, you’ll want to make sure that the daycare is clean, bright, and safe.  You’ll want to check out the kitchen, sleeping, and diaper changing areas.  As well, check to see if there are plenty of age appropriate toys available, both indoors and outdoors.

Now on to the questions!  Here are some suggestions to add to your own checklist:

-Does your program meet the local operating criteria (i.e. are you licensed)?

-Do you have play and meal schedules available?

-How long have you worked in childcare?

-Have you been educated in early childhood education or child development?

-Do you have current infant and child first aid and CPR?

-What do you do if a child misbehaves?  Can I see your behavior guidance policy?

-Will my child be able to sleep if he is tired?

-Will anyone else be caring for or having contact with my child?  Can I meet them?

-Can I visit anytime I wish?

-What will you do if my child is sick?

-What security do you have in place to ensure the children’s safety?

-Do you have any references?

The best piece of advice that I can pass along is to get on a daycare list as soon as possible.  Good daycares fill up fast and many facilities have limited spots available for babies under the age of 18 months.  It might be a good idea to be on multiple lists because waiting times may be well over a year.  Plan to integrate your child in advance of your formal start date.  Your child may start with an hour and then gradually progress to a half-day and eventually a full-day.  It will help to ensure a smooth progression into their new routine.

Choosing a daycare is a very personal and often emotional experience for everyone in the whole family, but there are things that you can do to stay involved in your child’s day-to-day activities.  Visit frequently and check in to see how your child is doing.  Participate in special events (i.e. birthday) because it means a lot to your child and shows the childcare provider that you are interested in your child’s learning and progress.

Good luck in your endeavor and I hope that you find success in your search for the right daycare provider for your family!