How to Find the Right Childcare

The Best Childcare Provider for Your Child

Finding a childcare provider whom you trust and who respects and follows your parenting style can be a big challenge for moms. Yet good childcare does exist.

The question is:

How are you going to find the right care for your baby the first time around?

Methods for Choosing the Right Childcare

If You are Looking for a Day Care Provider:

1. Carefully investigate any childcare situation before you enroll your child.
2. Ask about licensing and accreditation.
3. Talk to both the director and all of the caregivers who will interact with your child.
4. Read the handbook.
5. Learn about the philosophy of the program, so that you know it is in sync with your own.
6. Observe the program at different times of the day (drop by unexpectedly if you can).
7. Check references.
8. Look at the environment and childcare provider in terms of your baby’s particular needs.

Ask yourself:

• Are there too many/few children, not enough teachers, too small/large a space, inappropriate or inadequate materials, unskilled, untrained or over stressed caregivers?
• Is the day’s schedule tailored to the needs of my baby (his/her need for food, sleep, play, care-giving and interaction)?
• Is the ratio of caregivers to children appropriate?
• Is there a ‘primary caregiver’ - someone who is primarily responsible for my baby’s care and for communicating with me?
• Has the staff been trained in health, safety (CPR) and child development?
• Are the caregivers comfortable, happy and open to hearing about any concerns I may have?
• Do they serve nutritious snacks throughout the day (if your baby’s eating solids)?

If You are Hiring a Baby Sitter or Nanny:

As you interview the baby sitter, ask yourself:

• Is there a a ‘good fit’ between my baby’s and the baby sitter’s temperaments?
• Does the baby sitter love babies (Does she light up when interacting with my baby?)?
• Does s/he have experience with babies (Watch her diaper, change, bathe and feed your child.)?
• Is s/he patient, loving and kind?
• Will s/he follow my parenting style and enforce my family rules (e.g., pick up baby when s/he cries nap at noon, no sweets, etc.)?
• Does s/he seem empathetic in reading my baby’s feelings and needs?
• Is s/he tolerant and loving when my baby gets messy, has a tantrum, is resistant and/or ‘fussy’?
• Can s/he tolerate my baby’s feelings (I hear many nannies say, “Don’t cry. It’s silly to get upset”)?
• Is s/he creative and playful (does she have ideas about fun things to do and fun games to play)?
• Does s/he actively engage with my child (instead of talking on her cellphone while my baby plays by him/herself)?
• Does s/he aim to please me (s/he should!)?
• Is s/he responsible, reliable, and punctual?

If you’re hiring a baby sitter on-line:

Give yourself 2 weeks for the process: one for posting and hearing from sitters and one for screening references and interviewing.

• Be clear about what you need and when.
• Respond immediately (within 24 hours) to sitters who respond to your post.
• When you interview a caregiver, ask yourself the questions listed above.

Once you make your baby sitter or day care choice:

• Spend some time with your new caregiver so that s/he gets to know you and so your baby gets to know her.
• Let her observe how you interact with your baby so that s/he can experience first hand your parenting style.
• Observe your baby's interactions with his/her caregiver.
• Drop in unannounced to see how your baby is doing.
• Have open and regular communication with your baby's caregiver.
• Evaluate regularly whether your child feels safe, is appropriately challenged, and has his/her emotional, social, cognitive and physical needs met.
• If you are using a sitter, set up play dates for your baby to get another person’s (yes, a spy!) perspective on how your baby sitter’s doing.

Remember: Finding the right childcare may be time-consuming and frustrating at points, yet knowing that your baby is with someone you trust is well worth all efforts you make.