Child care is not something you carelessly pick out and move on. Leaving your child in the care of others is a major act and needs your utmost attention, so you can be assured they are in good hands. Before choosing a child care option, it is important to take note of their services and leave room for evaluation.
To help you choose the best childcare for you and your child, here are some helpful tips:
- Lay out your wants and your child’s needs – Establish your expectations for what you want childcare to provide. This will let you know where to start in your evaluation. Do you want them to teach your child or simply babysit? Are you planning to leave your child for extended periods of time on a regular basis, or do you only need assistance with childcare occasionally? Knowing these expectations will help you sort through your options better.
- Trust your intuition – If you have a gut feeling that a certain child care provider is not a good idea, then move on. Oftentimes, you have that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach, there is a reason. Trusting your instincts will help you choose a child care provider that you will feel comfortable with, and that is essential. Even if you’re looking at someone with the best reputation in town, if it doesn’t feel right, look at other options.
- Experience it yourself – Don’t just rely on their sales pitch, marketing materials, or even third-party reviews. You won’t know the true experience your child will have until you see what the environment is like for yourself. Observe a class or ask if you can check the facilities and see firsthand where your children will be.
- Mind your child’s feeling – Ultimately, your child is the one who will be with the child care provider, so listen to what they think and feel about the option you are considering. If they are old enough to provide feedback and opinions, let your child feel involved. It will make them feel more comfortable with the situation.
- Seek recommendations – If you have friends who already use child care, ask for their recommendations. Their experience can be a testimony of how trustworthy childcare is. Always do additional research before making a decision, however.
- Ask everything you need to know – Seek all the information you can about each childcare provider to help you decide which is the best for you and your child. Ask questions and clarify any thoughts or concerns that may bother you about their system.
