Sarah Friedman

October 13, 2009

Choosing a child care provider can be a stressful process. It’s difficult enough spending the day apart from your child, without having to worry if you made the right choice in care.

In finding the option that is best for you, it may be helpful to write out your needs and expectations for a child care provider before you begin your search. This way, you will be clear on what you are looking for and more easily find the option that best fits your needs, parenting style, and child.

The options for child care can be broken down into a few categories:

Day care/child care centers are most widely utilized because of their affordability and convenience. They care for more children, so they are able to divide them into age-specific groups. They are typically regulated through licensing and accreditation.

In-home care is usually provided in the caregiver’s home and offers a more family-style environment. With the large variety of in-home caregivers, there is a higher likelihood of finding a provider with child rearing approaches similar to your own.

A caregiver in your home, such as a nanny, au pair or babysitter, is often a more expensive option. These could be live-in or live-out and vary greatly in credentials and training.

Pre-school/Montessori school can be incredibly similar to day care centers. They are often more costly, but offer more academic benefits, such as enrichment programs and unique learning opportunities.

Family as provider may be a convenient and less costly option if you have family or friends who are willing to care for your child. It is a good idea to consider parenting styles and to be up front about your rules and wishes for your child’s care.

Drop-in care is an option if you only need occasional care for your child. These centers are similar to a traditional day care, but specialize in late nights and weekends when parents need an evening away or have adult-only functions.

When deciding on child care, it is helpful to visit the place you are considering and talk with the care providers and watch them interact with the children. Once you have narrowed your choices, visit a second time and bring your child if possible.

The search doesn't have to be overwhelming. There are many resources available to help you make your decision. Other parents in your area can give you their recommendations and child care experiences. Online checklists also provide a great starting place for important things to consider and questions to ask providers. Check out these pages for some ideas:

http://www.childcareaware.org/

http://www.milkmemos.com/pdfs/20_Questions.pdf (PDF format document - Requires Adobe Acrobat)

http://www.ccrcinc.org/pdf/ChoosingProviderChecklist.pdf (PDF format document - Requires Adobe Acrobat)