What to Look for in a Daycare

Nothing is more precious to you than your child. Finding the right person and the right place to care for your child when you are at work is essential to your peace of mind. Fortunately, there are many choices for parents, from nannies and au pairs to small and large daycare centers and co-ops.

In-Home Care

Certainly the least disruptive and probably the most expensive is in-home care using a nanny or au pair. A nanny's job is only to care for your children, so this person may or may not live in your home. An au pair, however, usually lives in your home and works for room and board and a salary. Finding the right nanny or au pair requires a candidate search. Think of it as filling a position in your company. When hiring someone, you may want to interview potential candidates at least twice and conduct a criminal background check. Before making any final decisions, find out why the person you want to hire left previous positions. It's also important that your discipline policies match exactly. Spend some time together with the potential nanny and your children, watching how they interact and get along before you leave them alone.

Small Group Home Daycare

This option is usually a licensed adult caring for children in a private home. Regulations limiting the number of children vary from state to state, but some caretakers set their own limits far below the state code.

Large Daycare Centers

These centers are usually set up for 12 to 14 children supervised by two adults. Each center is different, depending on the provider's philosophy. Some are more relaxed and have a family atmosphere, while others are more structured and organized like a preschool.

Cooperative Centers

Parent participation is part of the co-op program, usually resulting in lower costs. Parents must lend a hand once a week. Although the size of the center can vary, rules for choosing the best place for your child are consistent.

What To Look for in a Childcare Facility

Visit the home or daycare facility beforehand. Are the people warm and welcoming? How do they deal with children? Does it look like the sort of place your child would enjoy? Trust your own instincts. If you get a bad feeling about a place, move on.

• Ask how long current children have been in the caregivers' care and ask for references, both from parents who currently have children in daycare and those who no longer use the center.
• Talk to the director of the facility and ask about policies. Do they have them in writing? If so, ask for a copy.
• Ask if you may drop in unannounced. If there is hesitation or they give you a restrictive time or ask for a phone call in advance, that could be a bad sign.
• Go into the childcare center so your child can play for an hour while you sit and observe. Watch the staff in action and note how children are handled. Does the staff have an understanding of child development? How do they handle temper tantrums and discipline problems?
• Do they offer a clean environment? Are toys and surfaces cleaned every day? Do the children go outdoors to play on a regular basis? Is the playground safe with impact-absorbing surfaces under slides and swings?
• Are older children separated from younger children? This reduces the possibility of passing along illnesses.
• What policies does the center have regarding sick children? When must a child stay home? Does the center have a "sick room"? for children? How are parents notified of health problems in the facility? Is the staff trained and certified in first aid? How is medication dispensed?
• If the daycare is in a private home, know who lives in the home and if anyone besides the provider will be caring for your child. Do they have pets? Do they smoke?

Once you settle on a place, keep up with your child and what is going on every day. If you see that your child is happy and learning, you will know you've found a dependable, reliable place where he or she can thrive.