Finding Childcare

Most families end up with either a daycare program or nanny situation. Friends and relatives can recommend facilities and people they have found helpful. Always research and interview any childcare situation yourself; do not rely solely on word of mouth.

Daycare Centers

Specialized daycare programs often have waiting lists in large cities. Exclusive institutions may want to interview parents before accepting you onto their waiting list. Cost is a factor for many of these kinds of daycare, as they tend to run into the thousands of dollars a month.

Daycare options that are not private or exclusive still require an early start. Local centers may be full, and finding someone near your home or work cuts down on your morning routine.

Home daycare options take time to research as well. Because it is in a person’s home, you will want to get recommendations from other moms, and get references from the provider. Former teachers, nannies, daycare center workers, social workers, and child care specialists would be good in-home options to look at. The biggest drawback is that in-home daycares may not be regulated as closely in your state, so you need to be sure you trust your provider. However, if you work odd hours, you will have better luck finding in-home daycare centers open early or late, versus the institutions who often have set hours.

Nannies

Getting a nanny can be another childcare option. Things to consider are:

• Do I want to use an agency?
• Would my nanny live with us?
• Is this full or part-time?
• Do I have the time to interview and screen potential nannies?
• What if I decide to have another child? How will that affect a nanny situation?

A nanny can provide you with flexibility, especially if you have a schedule that frequently changes. However, be prepared to pay extra for overtime and weekends.

Interviewing and screening nannies can take up a considerable amount of time, so you will want to start late in your second trimester. If you have special requests or know you will have a high-needs baby, finding the right person for the job could take a long time.

Friends and Relations

Because so many people learn that finding childcare is so daunting, or they have looked and not found the right fit, they may turn to friends and relatives for their baby’s care. Grandma or your best friend Suzi may be great babysitters, but are they ready for the fulltime job of caring for your baby?

While at first this may seem like the perfect situation, you will want to carefully consider how your relationship with this person may change now that they will play such an important role in your child’s life.

Positive aspects to having a friend or relative watch your baby are numerous. You will probably get a very good hourly rate, especially if it is grandma or a sister watching your child. They can be counted on should an emergency arise. And of course, you already know, trust, and like this person.

Before you jump into this situation, consider the ramifications. What would you do if your sister disciplined your child outside of the care situation? How will you handle paying your friend or relative? Most importantly, how will you handle disagreements on child rearing practices? You need to make it clear to your friend/relative what you expect and how things should be handled. Making up a “contract” with them outlining your expectations is a good idea.

Information to Know

As you work on finding childcare for your new baby, you should have a standard list of questions to ask any and all providers you are considering. They should be able to give you a clear answer. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable with someone, do not hesitate to continue looking for a different provider.

Information you should know about your providers includes:

• Qualifications
• Licensing
• Cost
• Daily schedule and activities
• Nutritional information/menu for food provided
• Ratio of adults to children
• Procedure for emergencies
• Cleanliness of facilities/toys

Be sure you are comfortable with the philosophy of anyone who watches your child. What is their take on discipline? Is playtime structured, free, or both? How does she/he feel about television? No matter who is watching your child, it will not work out if you do not agree on the fundamentals.

Finding childcare is one of the most important tasks you will have as a new mother. Getting started as soon as possible will give you the ability to find the right situation for your baby.