One of the toughest first decisions I had to make as a new parent-to-be was finding exceptional day care for my newborn. I had to go back to work six weeks after giving birth, so I began my day-care search long before my son was born.
I was thankful I did. Many day cares were full and had waiting lists. A number were simply not in our budget. Others did not take such a young infant.
Here’s how to find the best day care for your family:
Begin early
Begin your quest for a day care as soon as you realize that you will need it. Many day cares require a deposit to hold a place for your child.
If your child has special needs that will need to be addressed, inquire if the day care can support you in this and whether you will be comfortable. You may want to explore hiring a nanny or an in-home provider.
Ask those who know
I asked day-care-seasoned parents about the day cares they used before I began exploring options. Their input helped me to decide the environment I wanted my child to be in.
Determine what your parameters are: location, cost, hours, and days needed, and in-home versus a church-based or commercial day-care center. Schedule a tour of any day care that has made it on to your final list of options. Be sure to bring your list of questions with you.
Look for a nurturing environment
Children require nurturing to grow healthy minds and bodies. Observe the environment as you tour the home or facility.
What is the daily schedule? How are children treated? What is the caregiver-to-child ratio? How does the day care feel? How do the employees transition children into new rooms?
Be comfortable with the method of discipline
Ask how the day care disciplines a child. If you are not comfortable with its methods, walk.
I did not think about asking about discipline until my son, an only child at that time, was kicked out of day care at the ripe age of 12 months for biting. I found another in-home day care for him and tearfully told the caregiver the truth. She gave me a big hug and said, “Well, that’s normal!”
My son’s aggression and biting disappeared within days, because he was receiving more nurturing. She also had him potty trained at 14 months. He stayed with her until he began kindergarten.
Pay attention to safety and cleanliness
What are the security procedures? Does the day care follow them?
Check out the bathrooms. Ask to see the kitchen. Check if the caregivers and other staff members wear gloves when cleaning up bodily fluids. How are the rooms that your child will be in cleaned? Are cots disinfected? Is bedding washed or sent home with you on a consistent basis? Are the tables and other furniture appropriately child-sized? Are the toilets and sinks? What is the outdoor play area like?
Assess the communication style
How proactive is the day care with communication? Will you get a summary of your child’s day, down to the number of dirty diapers and time and length of her nap? Will you be called immediately if there is a concern? Is the caregiver approachable for questions and discussion?
Understand expectations
Are you expected to pay for a full-time week over a certain number of days? How do vacations and holidays work? What hours is the day care open? Will the day care be able to take your child early or keep her late if necessary? If so, what is the charge of doing so?
Understand the sick policy
Most day cares are specific about what constitutes a sick child or an infection that will not be allowed to be in day care. A child in my son’s day care came down with the highly contagious conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye). I was relieved the affected child was sent home immediately and could not return until a doctor said he was no longer contagious.
As a parent, you hope the day care will follow the policies it has in place. Understand that adhering to the policy is important not only for your child, but others as well.
Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest and a mom to four children, all of whom have spent time in day care when young. She is a Gottman Institute educator and the author of “What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween” and “Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.”
