Finding Child Care

By Seena Fichen of Child

For many parents contemplating going back to work the most difficult and anxiety provoking issue is finding the right child care for your child. It's not exactly uncommon to hear stories of terrible child care centers. No one is willing to risk their child in a situation that is anything but the highest quality. But how do you go about finding and evaluating the best child care center? The following steps might help you find a center that cares for your child and relieves you of your anxiety about going back to work.

First, start your search early. If you wait until you absolutely have to go to back to work, you're going to make your decision under pressure and feel desperate to find a solution regardless of whether it's the ideal place for your child. Of course, there are a lot of options to consider, are you looking for a child care center, an in-home child care facility, or someone to help in your home. Many cities offer non-profit organizations that give out listings of licensed child care and day care operators. Check in your phone book for listings under child care resource and child care referral.

You may be able to get a list of reputable day care providers from a local non-profit organization dedicated to child welfare. Some day care centers may simply be located from phone book or internet advertising. Once you have identified potential day care providers, you can start visiting them in person. You will need to ask some of the following questions.

The first important point to determine is that there is sufficient adult supervision. Ideally there should be one adult caregiver for four babies. Pre-schoolers require one adult for every ten youngsters. These ratios are recommended so that each child can obtain the quality interaction with caring adults needed for proper development.

The caregivers need to be trained and qualified in caring for the physical, emotional and developmental needs of children. Do not hesitate to ask about an individual's qualifications to teach your children.

Find out about turnover among the staff. It can be difficult for your child to adapt in an environment where people are coming and going. The child will be best served by reliable and consistent care givers.

Accreditation is an indicator that the daycare facility is willing to voluntarily submit to quality standards of an outside rating agency. The rating agency typically has a list of standards that member adhere to. Often the agency will send an inspector to the center to insure that the standards are being met. This is an added asset.

When you finally find what you believe to be the right place for your child, wait a few days before signing a contract. If you continue to agree with your decision, you have done your best to insure a quality home away from for your child.

The right day care provider is available in your area if you are willing to expend the effort.

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Written by Seena Fichen. Fichen is owner and operator of Child at http://www.foochild.com, which covers all typs of child related topics. Comments and questions? Visit: http://www.foochild.com