DAY CARE CENTRES

Day-care center, also called day nursery, nursery school, institution that provides supervision and care of infants and young children during the daytime, particularly so that their parents can hold jobs. Finding quality childcare can be a major parenting challenge. If you’re returning to work, start thinking about childcare soon after your baby’s born — or as early as your second trimester if you live in a big city or anywhere that good childcare is scarce or in high demand. It takes time to find the right situation.

 
Here are a few tips to keep in mind while selecting a day care center:

• Look around

When you’re visiting a potential site, pay attention to how the staff interacts with the children. Ideally, a caregiver should be on the floor playing with the kids or holding one on her lap. In their early years, babies need close, loving, interactive relationships with adults in order to thrive. That’s why it’s especially important that babies’ first caregivers be warm and responsive, and that even in group care, infants and older babies get a healthy dose of one-on-one time.

• Interview centers

Screen centers and in-home daycare providers over the phone. If the center’s hours are inconvenient or the staff isn’t forthcoming, scratch it off the list of places to visit.

• Check the center out in person

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, visit in person and see if it checks off all the basics. Then trust your gut: If something doesn’t seem right to you, it probably isn’t right for your baby, either.

• Check references

Take the time to call former and current clients to find out how happy they and their kids are with their experience. As tempting as it is to rely on the glowing letters of recommendation that providers may supply, don’t. Letters can be easily edited.

• Drop by unannounced

Before you make your final choice, consider stopping by unexpectedly on another day to get a truer picture of what the group daycare center is like when the staff hasn’t been prepped. If the center doesn’t allow unscheduled visits of any kind, you may want to cross it off your list.

 
The work isn’t over when you find good care for your child. You and your child’s caregiver are partners now. You need to stay involved. Here are some ways to be involved:

• Have parent-caregiver meetings regularly, and ask questions.

• Offer to volunteer time when needed, like participating in clean up days, fixing broken toys.

• Join in special events, like field trips, Career Day, Black History Month, or other holidays.

• Visit your child at child care and read a book aloud.

 
Before making your decision about a child care provider you should visit several facilities. Compare the results of the checklists to determine the best suited program for your child. The more you know, the easier your decision will be, and the more comfortable you will feel making it.