| When a couple decides to have a child, decisions must | | | | solid information to parents. |
| be made above and beyond potential names. Who will | | | | Ask Questions and Investigate - After parents narrow |
| be the child's doctor? Where will the child attend | | | | down their options, they should talk extensively with |
| school? What activities should the child try out? | | | | the potential providers. Everything may look good on |
| Baseball, soccer, or maybe playing the violin? All are | | | | paper, but parents must discuss their needs and their |
| matters eventually factored in the child's life. But usually | | | | standards with the provider in person to insure that |
| the initial, and the most important, decision that must be | | | | these needs can be upheld. Learn about childcare laws |
| made is who will care for the child after he or she is | | | | pertaining to your area. Ask potential providers many, |
| born. | | | | many questions: How many years of experience do |
| If one parent is able and willing to devote years to | | | | they have? What is the ratio of children to adults in his |
| raising the child, then the decision is an easy one. | | | | or her facility? What type of training, background, and |
| Another simple viable option if both parents must work, | | | | education does the caregiver have? Will other adults |
| is enlisting a close, trusted relative like a grandparent or | | | | be around the child? What are the caregiver's rules |
| sibling to care for the child. In today's society, however, | | | | and how are they enforced? Also, critique the |
| these options are often not available. In the current | | | | daycare center or individual caregiver's home. Make |
| economy, both parents must usually work to support | | | | sure the space is clean and appropriately safe for all |
| the household, and, due to today's increased mobility, | | | | the children in attendance. Remember, there are many |
| parents often live miles and miles away from | | | | childcare providers, and it is perfectly reasonable not to |
| immediate relatives. Parents, then, must turn to other | | | | pick a certain one because of a bad feeling or |
| options for childcare. | | | | unsatisfied answers to any of your questions. It is also |
| Do they wish to find a live-in or a nanny that will watch | | | | perfectly reasonable to request a background check |
| the child in his or her own home, or is a formal or | | | | from a daycare provider and any adults that will |
| privately owned daycare the best option? Choosing | | | | interact with your child. Any provider who refuses that |
| childcare is a daunting task, and parents must be very | | | | request should be viewed with suspicion. |
| prudent, thorough and unhurried when making the | | | | Be Involved - Parents should stay involved with their |
| decision that is best for their circumstances. Here are | | | | chosen daycare provider, speaking with then regularly, |
| some tips to read before choosing a childcare | | | | visiting with them when they drop off or pick up their |
| provider: | | | | children, asking questions, and learning about problems |
| Research Options Before or During Pregnancy - If | | | | should they arise. Parents should build relationships with |
| parents research their options early, then a hasty | | | | all the individuals involved in the child's daily care, to |
| decision can be avoided. Compare your options, | | | | encourage open and continued communication. |
| investigate local daycare centers, and obtain | | | | Whatever childcare parents choose, it must be the |
| recommendations from friends, family, doctors, referral | | | | most appropriate and comfortable for their situation. |
| agencies, and nanny or au pair services. And make | | | | But no matter what the decision, following the |
| sure that the daycare, referral agencies, or nanny | | | | aforementioned steps is one more step parents can |
| services are accredited and properly licensed. A good | | | | take to ensure their child's continued safety away |
| place to begin your research is Childcare.gov, an | | | | from home. |
| official U.S. government child care source that presents | | | | |