Nothing could be more important than the task of finding the “right” childcare for you little one. Unless you are one of the lucky ones, who has a family member to care for your child, you are like thousands of other mother’s searching for loving childcare.
I have observed parents for many years while working in the childcare business. Only a few parents through my 25 years were less than aware of who watched their children. The only thing that mattered was the cost. That’s a shame. It must be the most important decision you make as a parent, who is taking care of your child?
Childcare is costly, but your child’s best interests and their welfare is priceless. If you had to start looking for childcare where would most mom’s begin? First, I think you need to ask around. Most mother’s are quite honest about who they have preferred and why. Also it’s very important to get other parents opinions about a caregiver. If most parents trust a Child care provider, then you are on solid ground. Always ask for referrals from prospective Home Family Providers. I always offered my new families a paper with the names of all my current daycare families. I honestly thought this would be my best marketing tool. Word of mouth speaks volumes when it comes to childcare. Happy parents mean a waiting list for good providers!
Whether it is a center school, a home daycare, a church pre-school, it is your job to ask for all the names and background checks on anyone who will be involved with your child’s care. Too many people take more time shopping for clothes, shoes and furniture, than finding the very best Provider for your child!
Of course I am biased to Home-Family childcare Providers, especially for your infant and very young toddler. I cringe when I see centers with wall to wall cribs and babies stuck in them all day. I don’t mean to imply all center day cares are not professional or loving, it’s just that a good, quality Home environment gives your child that extra benefit of a loving family. They will be in schools for a very long time, and while they are so little, why not a smaller group that is given more attention and love? My home daycare was licensed for 6-8. Those were the perfect numbers for me. One infant a year with 4 or 5 toddlers.
Childcare expenses take a huge chunk out of a paycheck, but finding the best Provider for your baby/child means less stress and worry for mom and dad. Work seems to be a given, so why not make the most of life? A loving, trustworthy care-giver, who works with you as a team, helps build your child’s self esteem, so they can develop into a happy, social and emotionally loved child. Probably one of the best gifts we can give to our children, is to love yourself.
Ask yourself what are you looking for in a childcare provider? What is most important to you? How long are you going to be away from your child? What can you afford? These are some of the honest questions parents must ask themselves. Whatever you decide, the number one reason you need to be selective and choose only the very best… because you have some trusting, loving eyes looking right back at you.
Article by Laurie Cesario-Overton
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