It doesn’t matter if it is your first baby or not, looking for the right family daycare setting for your child can be a frightening thing. How do you find a daycare that will meet your needs while staying in an affordable budget? Starting early in your search to find the right provider will help ensure you find the right person for your little one.
Many families are electing to use a family daycare as opposed to a child care center for many reasons. Cost may be one factor, but many parents want their children in a home environment. When interviewing potential providers, there are several key things you will want to know.
One of the biggest deciding factors will be cost. Call multiple providers, as well as centers, and find out what the reasonable going rate is in your area. Some in home centers are less expensive, but check to see if they have been licensed through the state. This will affect cost because they will have to adhere to more stringent safety standards.
Location is another factor that new moms and dads need to think about. Do you want your child’s provider to be close to home, convenient to work, or in between? Who will be dropping the child off and picking up? Consider traffic, travel time and other issues that may come up with transportation for anyone who will be driving your new baby.
You will want to find out how many children the provider keeps in his/her home. Finding out if daycare center are licensed or not will help you, but make sure that teacher/child ratio allows adequate attention for your child.
When interviewing a potential family daycare center, take a set list of questions that you want answered ahead of time. This will help you stay focused in case your little one gets squirmy, or the conversation gets casual. No matter how comfortable you are with the provider, you will still need your basic questions answered. Can you find family daycare that will be satisfactory? Absolutely! Many parents have found a provider that keeps their child throughout the formative years. While having the right provider can make your life much less stressful, there are other stories of horrible experiences.
You will want to find a daycare that has hours accommodating to your work schedule. Make sure to ask the hours, holidays, and late pick up penalties. A family daycare center is run from someone’s home, so hours should be adhered to closely. What is the policy on missed days? There are many questions you can ask ahead of time, even if the provider doesn’t provide a list of rules and regulations.
Take your time, and don’t settle for the first person you meet. Compare your notes, run any background checks, and ultimately – go with your gut. You will know when you have found that person that is the best match for your parenting style and family’s personality. Once you have your home daycare selected, you can go to work without worry about your child.
