Choosing the right childcare for you!

Picking the proper care for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make.  People put way more thought into way less important decisions.  These things are nothing compared to the well being of your child.

Whether your child will be in someones care full time, or for a few hours here and there while you run errands, their safety and comfort should be key.  Don't pick a childcare provider because they're "cheap" or "convenient".  Pick them because they're the best, and if they have those characteristics also, great!

 When looking for care for your child, there are a few questions to first ask yourself.

1. What type of care are you looking for? 
   There are many different types of care out their, you need to make sure you pick the best care for you and your family.  You can have a babysitter come to your home, take your child to someone's home (where they are the only child/family), go to an in-home daycare (one of multiple families), or a Childcare Center.
2. What are your families needs?
   Think about whether you need part time, full time, drop in, or before and after school care.  Also figure out if you will need the provider to transport your child(ren) to and from school or activities.  This may change what type of care you are needed.  A daycare center will not be as able to take your child to soccer practice as a stay at home mom might.
3. Are you looking for daycare or preschool?
   Children three to five years old may enter preschool.  Some daycare's will except children at a younger age with evaluations, but three is usually the general age children start preschool.  Your child can go into a daycare, or preschool, or a daycare that offers preschool.  Some preschools are full day, some half, some only for a couple hours.  They may also not run every day, so if you are looking for full time care you may need to look into a daycare/preschool, or additional care on days or times preschool is not provided.
4. What qualifications are you looking for?
   Qualifications can vary anywhere from someone with no experience other than their own children, up to someone who has a degree or certificate in childcare.  You may ask for someone to be CPR/First Aid certified, or be in school for childcare.  Most stay at home moms, or babysitters may not have trainings as a in-home daycare, or a daycare center might.  If your child has needs outside of normal care, such as medicine given during the day, special or moderate needs child, or child with an ongoing condition such as diabetes, you may want to make sure your provider has special training or experience in that area.

All in all, make sure you, your child(ren) and your family is comfortable with your provider.  Make sure to visit beforehand with your child.  Meetings with the provider is important to see if that fit is there, both with you and the provider, as well as your child and the provider.  The provider you meet with may follow all of your expectations, but if you and/or your child does not feel comfortable with them, they may not be the provider for you.  This is your chance to ask as many questions as you like, as well as answer any questions the provider has (they are interviewing you too!)

After you have chosen you perfect provider, the journey has not ended!  Keep up communication with your provider.  Ask for daily, weekly, or monthly reports to see how your child is doing.  Schedule a meeting once a week/month to talk with your provider about things that may need change, or about things that you like the way they are.  Communication is very important whether you are completely happy, or something is making you uncomfortable.  If you feel something is off, please bring it up.  It may be something easy to fix, and not mentioning it to your provider could ruin your relationship with them.

Good luck, and happy hunting!