Considering Childcare

By: Nicole Shalit

Children are our most precious treasures, so why should you choose just any childcare? Here are a few simple steps for choosing the right childcare for you and your child.

1. Choose a provider who possesses state registration. This is for your child’s safety, and ensures has met all the requirements the state holds and has submitted to and passed a background check. It is also recommended that you call the state and request information on any complaints they may have had.

2. Choose a location that is convenient for you. If you choose a caregiver that is far away from your work, it could take you a while to drive there after work. If you drive home during rush hour traffic, you may even get to the daycare after they close. Being closer is important when your child is sick, injured, or if there is a family emergency.

3. Safety is a vital factor when choosing the right childcare. Everything should be child proof, and they should have a plan of action in case of an injury or emergency. It is safer if there is more than one person working for the daycare. This way if an emergency does come up, one person can deal with it while the others take care of the rest of the kids.

4. The environment should be compatible with your child’s age. Age appropriate movies, toys, activities, and foods should be provided. There should also be a nap area for down time and an outside play area safe for children.

5. Growth and development. Programs that have a large group of kids and activities can affect your child’s growth and development in a negative way. This is especially true in infants who are being introduced to a childcare setting for the first time. One thing you should ask yourself is will my child thrive in this program?

6. The age groups and sizes should also be comfortable for your child. You don’t want your 3 year old with a group of 20 kids ranging from 2 years old to 9 years old. The smaller the groups the more attention you child will get. Also, if they are grouped by age, you can be sure that your child will be engaged in the right age appropriate activities, and make friends in the process.

7. The caregiver you chose should be easy to communicate with, and have the ability to address concerns regarding your child’s well-being to you. They should also communicate with your child.

8. You should first interview the caregiver and make sure they are compatible with you and your child. If you feel you are a match, you should then make a few visits to the daycare during operating hours.

9. Every caregiver should have written policies and procedures which they can give you to read over. You should request a copy to get a better idea of what their policies are and what rules they have written out.

In the end, you should use your instinct, if you have any doubts the caregiver isn’t right for you, find someone else. Your judgment is your strongest tool in the end.