How to Find Fabulous Childcare

There's no doubt about it--leaving your child in someone else's care can be agonizing. Quality childcare is available in most areas if you're willing to look for it, and there are many choices for parents to choose from. Some programs are so popular that parents put their kids on a waiting list as soon as the child is conceived. Do your ABCs to find a great fit for your child and your family.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Recommendations

General

1. Decide when you want to put your child in care. Some parents prefer to keep their kids at home as long as possible, and don't enroll them in a program until they are around 3 years of age. Other parents choose to put their children in a childcare setting much earlier. Still others prefer mixing time at home with time in care. Lifestyle and your child's personality will play a role in this decision--social, active children benefit greatly from the stimulation and activity offered in structured group environment.

2. Ask friends with children, family and mothers' group members for recommendations. Find out what their experiences have been like. Listen to what excites them and see if your gut tells you those same things would work well for your child. You can also search local parenting Web sites or childcare referral centers, or go to ChildCareAware.org for advice.

3. Consider the available options and decide which type of childcare best meets your needs.

Home-based care

4. Check out family daycare in your area. Typically, one adult cares for up to six children in his or her home; the number is determined by state law. These situations tend to offer the most flexibility in scheduling, but you'll need a backup if the care provider becomes ill. Family daycare is often a good opportunity to expose your child to another language.

5. Get the best of both worlds with a nanny share. Your child will get one-on-one loving care and one or two playmates. If a solo nanny is out of your price range, splitting the cost with one or two other families can make it affordable. The parents decide whose home will host the children each day--it may always be the same home, or you can switch back and forth.

Centers and preschools

6. Draw up a short list of potential care providers and contact them. Ask for brochures or visit their Web site. Find out if there is space available when you need to enroll or if there is a waiting list. Make appointments to visit providers and show up promptly.

7. Review the programs offered by various providers in your area. You'll find those that offer full-time, part-time and flexible schedules. Consider amount of structure and location. Look at staff qualifications, teacher-to-child ratios, curriculum, discipline strategies and more. If you have an infant, you'll want a high caregiver-to-child ratio, possibly at a location near your office to allow for lunchtime nursing. Parents with multiple children may look for a provider that caters to both babies and older kids.

8. If possible, leave your child at home for the first visit so you can focus on learning about the program. Bring a list of questions: What is a typical day like? How are behavioral issues dealt with? Are children divided by age? Does my child have to be pottytrained to gain admission?

9. Take a good look at the space. It should be safe, well maintained and cheerful, with separate areas for quiet play and group activities and plenty of toys. Check the outdoor space. Is there room to run around? Are there climbing structures, a sand box and lots more toys?

10. Observe how the director and teachers interact with the kids. Are they approachable, flexible and respectful? How do the children respond to them? Is there a lively, engaged atmosphere that doesn't seem out of control? Do they seem happy?

11. Use your instincts as a parent and look for a fit. Some programs have an extended family feeling, while others are more businesslike. Make sure the structure of the program and its philosophy are suited to the temperament of your child. A situation may be great for one child but not for another.

12. Review details with the director. Find out what the fees are, what they cover, and how they are paid, including fees for late pickups. Confirm the hours of operation and what days throughout the year that school is closed. Ask how teachers are qualified, what the turnover is, and what the minimum requirements are. Inquire about enrichment such as art, music and field trips. Find out if and how often parents are required to volunteer. Ask if there is a board of directors or other parents you can contact for more information. Call them; they're usually happy to talk to prospective parents.

13. Take your child for a short visit after you've narrowed down your choices. How does he or she respond to the environment?

14. Complete the application process, pay the deposit, and set up a plan for entry into the program that will be most effective for your child. Some programs have a well-planned transition both for entering and moving from one age group to another.

15. Build an alliance with all of your childcare providers. Stay in constant communication to keep abreast of how your child is doing.

Tips & Warnings

• The National Association for the Education of Young Children (naeyc.org) accredit programs. Contact them for a list of standards as well as recommended teacher-to-child ratios.
• There is no perfect program. Focus on what you feel is most important to you and your child.
• Schools and centers should have all employees fingerprinted. Search online under "community care licensing" in your area for more information.
• Background check requirements vary by law from state to state.