You’re not the only one who is worried about leaving your baby with someone other than you. It can be a difficult decision to let go of some child-care tasks, especially if you are the first parent.

If you are looking to return to work, you will be in good company. According to some estimates, over 70% of primary caregivers work outside their home. This means that there are many excellent options for child care, including babysitters and nannies.

Day care is a great option, whether it’s in a group center or at home. You can find exceptional care in centers that offer skilled caregivers and socialization for your child with other children her age.

This article will explain everything you need to know about daycare, including the pros and cons of daycare and questions you should ask potential providers. It also explains what you should look for in a daycare facility.

Different types of daycare facilities

Day care is where parents drop their children off with other children of varying ages, often for a full-day. There are a few options available:

  • Group daycare: These facilities, which are usually state-licensed, are run in a similar way to schools. Children of different ages are cared for in groups. These facilities are sometimes run by the employers.
  • In home day care: This kind of child care is often run from the homes of the providers, who also care for their children. Some states do not require licensed in-home daycare providers. Make sure to research your options and find out the requirements before you send your child.

Day care benefits

A day care program that is well-designed can provide many benefits:

  • Constant care: Many child care centers provide care from infancy through to toddlerhood and sometimes beyond.
  • Education An organized program that promotes your child’s growth and development.
  • Socialization Your baby will have lots of time with other children.
  • Cost: Day care is usually less expensive than hiring an nanny . If you have more than one child, a nanny might be cheaper.
  • Reliability Most centers are open for around 12 hours per day to accommodate a variety parent schedules.
  • Group day care: All staff are licensed and trained. There are always sub-caregivers because more than one caregiver is needed.
  • Home day care is There are typically fewer children at home than in a group day center, which can mean that there may be more personal attention and less exposure for illness.

There are down sides to day-to-day care

Day care can have some disadvantages, such as:

  • Cost: Day care centers are often more expensive than private child-care, but it is still very affordable unless the government or your employer subsidizes it.
  • Injuries: Babies may be more likely to get sick than children in other child care settings, but that’s just a preview of what’s ahead in preschool. Early germ exposure can actually strengthen your baby’s immune system, which may lead to fewer infections and colds later in life.
  • This is a special for group day care. The center may not be open on holidays if they follow a public school schedule.
  • Home day care specific: Unlicensed providers don’t have to be trained in child care. This means that their centers may not be regularly inspected for quality. They also might not have to adhere to certain guidelines such as group size, child-to caregiver ratios, and activities and materials. If the caregiver becomes ill, there is usually no backup, so you will need a sitter on call (or an understanding boss).

How to choose the right day care

You may need to give yourself more time depending on where you live to find day care.

It is a good idea not to rush to get back to work. In fact, it’s a good idea that you start to look at your options before your baby arrives. These are some steps you can take:

  • Do your research. Ask other parents for recommendations (at work or among friends) as well as your pediatrician. You can ask other parents to help you if you don’t have a network of friends or contacts. Online resources are also available for referrals to childcare services and with the state regulatory agency.
  • Interview centers. Screen center and in-home care providers over the telephone. See below for questions. You can remove the center from your list if the hours are not convenient or the staff isn’t available.
  • Visit the center in person. After narrowing down your options, go to the center in person to see if everything is in order. (Again, see below). Trust your instincts: If it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right for you.
  • Get references. Call former clients and current clients to get their feedback. It is tempting to rely upon glowing letters of recommendation from providers, but don’t. You can easily edit or forge letters.
  • Drop in unannounced. To get a better idea of the atmosphere at the group daycare center when staff is not prepared, you might consider visiting them on another day. You may want to remove the center from your list if they don’t allow any unscheduled visits.
  • Find out about their accreditation. Group day care centers that are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children have higher standards. These include a high ratio of caregivers to children; low turnover; and a policy that promotes the safety, health, and development of the children in their care. If the provider is accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care for in-home care, it has met higher standards.

Ask a daycare provider questions

After you have a few ideas from your pediatrician, and other references, you can get a feel for the areas you are interested in over the phone. Ask the questions below.

Asking questions at your daycare center

  • What is your tuition and application fee? It’s easy to remove a provider from your short list if these answers don’t match your schedule or budget.
  • Do daycares have long waiting lists? Especially for babies and young children in large cities, there are often long waiting lists.
  • What is your accreditation? Although a state license doesn’t guarantee your baby will receive lots of love and attention from a skilled caregiver, it can increase your chances and show that the provider has met safety and health standards set by government agencies. Find out more about the licensing requirements for your state at the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education, or at Child Care Aware of America.
  • How many children can you take care of at once? Babies and toddlers require a lot of attention. Make sure that the facility has limits. While ratio requirements will vary depending on where you live, it is important to hire more qualified adults to care for younger children.
  • What is your child care philosophy? Be sure to be comfortable with the caregivers’ policies regarding early education, discipline, soothing, and feeding.
  • What are your qualifications and experiences? The caregiver(s), should be certified in CPR/first aid. A director of a group center should hold a degree in early child development or early childhood education. Teachers should also have such training. Training is difficult to find in family day cares. However, you want someone who has experience working with children your baby’s age (the caregiver counts).
  • Are parents allowed to be involved in the program? If it’s a group centre, does the parent board make up policy? Is it possible to be asked to participate?
  • What is your policy regarding immunizations for children? Unlicensed daycares may not require full immunizations. Avoid those who have lax vaccination policies.
  • What health requirements are there for caregivers? They should be able to have complete medical checks, including a TB test and all necessary vaccinations.
  • How should sick children be handled? Parents need to know when their child is due to return to care. Parents can refer to the AAP’s guidelines                                           when in doubt.
  • What should you offer children to eat? Foods and snacks must be safe, healthy, and appropriate for their ages. Follow all instructions given by parents regarding formula, breast milk, solids, and meal times. Never prop your baby’s bottles. It is also possible to request if your baby food can be provided.
  • What is your schedule? Daycares may have a set schedule that all children follow or they might adapt to what you create as a parent.

You might also want to ask these open-ended questions in addition to the ones above:

  • What would you do if your baby kept reaching out for something even after you said no?
  • Are you a believer in disciplining toddlers with consequences and time-outs?
  • How can you deal with a baby crying because he wants to be held?
  • What happens if two children want to play with the exact same toy?
  • What should you do if your baby refuses to eat?
  • What kind of baby food should you give babies who have started solids?

Ask a group daycare center any questions

  • How many years have teachers been with the school? This could indicate that the teachers aren’t being paid enough or aren’t qualified to provide child care.
  • How are staff screened? All daycare mt roskill workers must have passed criminal and health background checks. If you visit the facility, ask if there is any proof.

Questions for an in-home care provider

  • Who will be there with my child? Find out who all the adults, teens, and elders are. Ask them about their roles in the care of your child and, if applicable, what experience they have with children. If your child is allergic to animals or has a fear of them, ask about pets.
  • What are the policies regarding personal emergencies? Learn what the caregiver does for children when they need to be away, how many vacation days she uses and how much notice she gives before she leaves.
  • Do you have a backup plan? It’s not unusual for there to be one, but it’s a good idea to find out the details before signing anything.
  • Is your insurance covered for my child? While you may not need it, find out if the homeowner’s insurance covers any injuries sustained by any child under her care.

What should you look for in day care?

After you have screened the day care options, arrange a visit to three to five in-home or group day care centers. Before you enroll your baby, make sure you review the following:

Staff and children who are happy

You want happy, healthy babies.

Caregivers must be genuinely enthusiastic, patient, and interested in their children. To get a better idea of how the center looks, visit at the end of each day.

An environment that is stimulating

You should see a lot of interaction between caregivers and children. Are staff members able to get on the ground and interact with children? Are children engaged?

Also, make sure to check for toys that are age-appropriate and in good condition. Ask for a breakdown of daily activities. This should include singing, reading, and dancing, as well as activities on the floor.

Separation between age groups

Babies younger than 12 months should not be mixed with older children or toddlers — larger tots can be quite rambunctious, and they may not be able to be gentle with infants.

Locked doors

Your child cannot go and come as she likes at home. She shouldn’t be allowed to roam or leave the day care center. The day care center should be monitored as well. Also, adult visitors must be monitored closely so that only authorized adults and staff can enter the day care center.

Clean and healthy surroundings

A well-run group daycare center clearly outlines its sanitation and health rules on a sign and then follows them.

  • After each diaper change, caregivers wash their hands
  • After each use, the diapering and food prep areas should be kept clean and separated.
  • Disposable or dishwasher-safe dishes can be used to wash feeding utensils.
  • Bottles must be prepared in sanitary conditions
  • Shared teething rings, pacifiers, and washcloths should not be allowed
  • Toys should be washed with a soapy solution and/or each child will get a different box.
  • When entering the classroom, all children and adults must wash their hands.

Safety measures

You should take the same safety precautions at home to ensure that day care is safe for your children. These should be:

  • There are no choking hazards. Even small toys and playthings can be broken into smaller pieces.
  • Babies should not be able to sleep on pillows or fluffy bedding in their cribs.
  • Gates for open stairways
  • Window guards for upstairs windows
  • Spicy and well-designed kitchen with bathroom, and (ideally) enclosed outdoor play area
  • Clear your floors Clear floors (i.e.
  • Clearly marked exits and smoke detectors are recommended.

Communication with your daycare provider

It’s like having a great feeling about the daycare you have chosen for your child. Don’t forget to pick up the phone after dropping off. Be a good coach and foster a caring relationship with your caregivers. Keep your team members informed and motivated.

Respect the rules

It is essential that you pick up your child on time. However, if you are unable to pick up your child on time (we all have moments), you should call your daycare provider as soon as possible to let them know that you will be late.

A great caregiver relationship will be built by being punctual with payments and completing any forms (such as medical health releases). It will also allow you to keep your baby home when she is sick. Child care can be a difficult job. Make it as easy for your baby caregivers as possible.

Tune in to the correct channels

Learn how your daycare provider will keep you informed about special events and your baby’s progress. Check to see if your baby is in group daycare.

Is there a video-cam that parents can use to log in to the website and watch their child play? Are you able to receive emails and verbal reports from your family day care provider?

Share intelligence

Remember that you are part of the same team. Your day care provider should have the inside scoop on everything that can make her job easier, such as your baby’s preferences, likes and dislikes, how to calm her down, and her food and nap preferences.