Childcare Options

Congratulations on your new baby! I hope you enjoyed your maternity time with your new squishy little one and are looking forward to heading back to your normal routine. But first things first—where will you be taking your babe while you’re back at work? Let’s look at some questions you may want to consider as you make your daycare decision. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to research childcare providers to ensure you feel confident in your choice when the big day comes.

To begin with, do you have a type of daycare in mind as a starting or elimination point as you begin your search for the perfect place for your child? Perhaps you grew up going to an in-home daycare, or your partner grew up attending an established daycare center. This is a topic to ponder and discuss as you begin looking for childcare for your baby. If you are open to any option, ask other parents for some feedback about what they’ve experienced and the pros and cons of the choice they made. A glowing referral can be key to finding a place you’ll feel comfortable and happy with, and what a bonus if your little one has neighborhood or family friends to go to daycare with! 

Daycare centers can be a great option for routines, socialization and consistency for your child. They also may have longer hours in case your job has an early start or later end time. This can also be a great introduction to “school” for your child. Structured centers allow them to take their own backpack and have routines for the day, which can make the transition to actual school easier down the road. Also similar to school’s organization, the children are usually separated by age so they will be with their peers in a class-style setting as opposed to a broader range of ages. This can be a plus to keep smaller children safe, but the arrangement means they may be separated from any siblings. Centers may have more activities available, such as field trips or quality playground equipment, as well as follow cleaning and sanitation regulations. Centers may be more reliable with more employees able to cover when someone else is sick or unavailable, but they can also have high turnover rates due to seasonal help from college students over the summer.

In-home daycares can be a comforting place to drop your child off because they’re in another person’s home environment. Your child can feel like part of the daycare family and form close relationships with the other children there. Just be sure you feel comfortable with the provider, the home and the number of children the provider has each day. In-home providers could also have pets, other older children or adults coming in and out of the house, and a wider range of ages of children. Depending on your perspective, these could be pros or cons, but they would be able to remain with any siblings they may have down the road as well. My own mom ran an in-home daycare for 10 years during my childhood, and my brother seemed to grow up with many friends that were more like brothers. I loved helping care for the babies and learned a lot about caring for children because of this experience. Our home was a second home to many of the kids. In-home providers may need days off due to sickness, jury duty or family vacations, however, so be sure to have a drop-in center or someone else available for such instances. I have a wonderful neighbor who has an in-home daycare, and she has a triple stroller she uses to walk her little brood to the neighborhood parks. It’s great to see the kids get out and explore with her, as well as get some exercise, fresh air and sunshine. 

Another option you might consider is hiring a nanny, whether that’s someone who comes to your home each day or a live-in nanny that helps you care for your children. This arrangement can be a plus, as your child gets to stay in their own home and stay on your own routine. A nanny can be a great way for your children to be able to participate in swim lessons, preschool gymnastic classes or story times at the library during the day while you’re still able to do your job, freeing up your evenings for family time instead of a race to fit those activities in after work. As your children get older, a nanny can drive them to and from school, as well as any extracurricular activities. A nanny can feel like another member of your family that your child can trust and depend on. It just depends on how you feel with someone else in your home. We actually had a student teacher come stay with us for a semester when our oldest two were 3 years and 18 months old, and it was great having someone else available to help care for and entertain our kids. Now that all my children are in school, it’s challenging to do school pickups and run them to all their extracurricular activities. A nanny would be a great asset during this stage of parenting, too. 

Once you’ve narrowed your search, ask to visit the home or tour the center to get a better sense of the environment and overall feel of the employees. If you’re leaning toward a nanny, begin the interview process. You may also have a list of questions ready to ask your potential childcare provider to be sure your child will be cared for in a way that matches your parenting style.

Location is another key factor to weigh. After all, traveling to and from childcare will add time to your morning and evening commutes, but a provider you love may be worth the extra commute time. Another factor to consider is schedule. Each job has a different schedule, so be sure your provider is available when you need childcare. Cost, of course, plays a factor in the decision. You will need childcare for the foreseeable future, so be sure your chosen provider fits into your budget. On top of provider costs, ask about any additional expenses: Are meals included? Do you need to bring your own food and supplies like diapers, wipes, sunscreen? What about special outings or activities?

The hunt can seem like an overwhelming task on top of either being pregnant or welcoming a new baby home, but start researching early, make a priority list and ask around about different providers you’re considering. Community and moms groups on social media can be a quick and easy way to learn more, too, especially if you’re new to the area. You can even ask folks to direct message you if they want to be more honest than they would in a public review. A referral from a trusted friend or coworker can make all the difference in your confidence level. As you begin your parenting journey, know that you’re not alone, trust your gut and remember there are other options if you don’t end up feeling comfortable with your first choice. Your primary job is to ensure your child is properly cared for and loved so you can successfully focus on your day job. 

Questions to ask providers:

1. Are meals and snacks provided, or do I need to bring our own?
2. Where will they sleep?
3. How many children will be cared for by how many adults?
4. What training and experience do employees have?
5. How is potty training handled?
6. How are poor behaviors corrected?
7. Do you take children on any outings?
8. How are children transported for outings?
9. Do you provide transportation to school?
10. Why should I choose your daycare facility?
11. Is there a part-time option?
12. How are inclement weather days handled?
13. What are the sickness protocols?
14. When is payment due?

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 12, Mason, 11, and Slade, 8, and writes from her home in between being a substitute teacher and family photographer.