Many new moms and dads dread going back to work, not just because of the idea of spending time away from their precious newborn, but because they have to find someone trustworthy to take care of the baby in their absence. Finding the right daycare setting is a daunting task for any new parent. Here are a few tips and ideas to help make the decision a little easier.
Licensed or Unlicensed Daycare
One of the first things that must be decided is whether or not a licensed center or an unlicensed setting is the right fit. Licensed daycare settings must follow state regulations that vary from state to state. They must abide by certain child to staff ratios, among other rules and are inspected on a regular basis to ensure compliance. These day-care settings can either be a center or a person's home. Licensed daycares can usually be located online through the Department of Health and Human Services along with the most recent inspection or survey results. Unlicensed settings are not regulated and are not inspected.
Choosing Home-Based or Center Care
The next question is where the child will receive care, in someone's home or in a daycare center with multiple staff. Home-based care can be licensed or unlicensed and tend to group different age ranges together in one setting. There are usually one to two caregivers in the home. Having limited caregivers can cause issues related to what is done for daycare if the caregiver is sick or needs a vacation.
Daycare centers often have classrooms devoted to a specific age range with regular teachers and sometimes substitutes as well. Centers also typically have a director or manager that oversees the care and manages the teachers Parents must decide if they want the comfort of a home-based setting or the structure and predictability of a center.
Ask Questions about the Care the Child Will Receive
Parents should always ask questions before making such an important decision about the care for their child. Preliminary questions should include queries about staff ratios and training. How many children and how many staff are present on any given day? What type of training do staff receive? Does the daycare complete background checks before the staff begin to work with the children?
Other questions should be related to cost and what's included. Does the daycare charge a per hour or a per day rate? Does the rate include meals, formula, diapers, etc? Does the daycare have a tax ID number so the cost can be claimed on taxes? Does the daycare offer vacation days or free days in case a child gets sick or takes a vacation or do parents pay regardless of if the child is present or not? Which holidays does the daycare observe?
Questions specific to the care of the children are also important. These should include questions about how specific incidents are handled and can be tailored to each parent's child. How is discipline handled? Are babies able to be rocked if they are fussy? At what point is a sick child sent home or are parents notified of an incident? Are daily communication sheets sent home so parents are aware of their child's activities? What types of activities are done and what does a typical day look like?
Take a Tour With Child
It's imperative to take a tour of the daycare and meet the teachers and staff before sending a child there. It can be helpful, especially if a child is older, to take the baby along to gauge his reaction and the reaction of the staff to him. Some things to look for during the tour are cleanliness, upkeep of equipment, friendliness of staff and whether or not the daycare operates an open-door policy. Can parents visit or "pop in" when they choose or must they call first?
Overall this can be one of the most important decisions a parent can make. Parents should treat the search for daycare as an interview to find the right employee. A parent is essentially employing this person or agency to take care of his/her child. A trust-worthy and comfortable daycare can mean all the difference to a new mom or dad sitting at work trying not to worry about the care of the baby. Parents and children alike will be happier if research is done and the right decision is made.
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