Whether you’re just going back to work after a stint at home with your child or switching childcare providers, you know that there are many choices—a sitter at your own house, daycare in a provider’s home or a daycare center among the options.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Think about your child’s personality. Does she love being around other children or does she shy away from strangers? Would individual care or a group setting best fit her personality?
- Visit a variety of childcare centers and caregivers, with your child if possible, to get a sense of the services and the setting.
- Ask questions! Depending on the situation, ask about credentials, accreditation, caregiver-to-child ratios, and facilities.
- Be sure you can visit any time. Don’t use a childcare setting that refuses to let you drop in unannounced. The exception here is during times when it isn’t safe for you to visit, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic or other times when there are efforts to prevent the spread of a contagious illness.
Remember, too, that the right program for one child may not be right for another—even for 2 children in the same family. Begin your childcare search by thinking about what kind of setting best suits your child and your family’s needs.
When choosing a program, find out the size of the program, its location, the number of days and hours offered, the availability of extended hours, how different ages are grouped, class size and cost. After deciding which type of program best meets your needs, visit more than one site so you can compare.
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