How to Find Good Childcare for your Child

Findind quality childcare is one of the most challenging and important decisions you can make. Leaving your child with someone else can be a wonderful experience if the right choice is made. Here's some tips on finding good childcare for your children.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phone book
• United Way
• Time for visits to centers

1. First decide if a daycare facility or an individual care giver is right for your child. Does your child like to mix with other kids, or are they happier with one to one interaction? Maybe they prefer smaller groups, or they could be social butterflies, but whichever suits your child is the type of care you should seek.

2. Contact your local United Way office for a list of local registered childcare providers. They will have lists of individuals and daycare centers. They usually even have lists of babysitters, which might work if you are working nontraditional hours. Use the list that they give you to contact some providers.

3. Go and visit the child care providers with your child. See how they are set up. Are they in a center or at a home? Does it appear safe there? Do the children appear happy and clean? Does your child appear comfortable? It's hard to make a decision just on a five minute visit, so you may want to ask if you can bring your child for a longer, 'trial' stay. Most places are happy to accommodate as long as you remain with your child the whole time.

4. Ask others for referrals. If your friends are happy with the care their children are receiving chances are you will be too.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider asking a relative to care for your child, if possible.
• Trust your instincts. If a place or person does not feel like a good fit for you or, more importantly, your child, do not make them go!

[pixiemama]

on 10/30/2008 great article.