Monday, December 15, 2008

Choosing a Child Care Provider

By Carol Ann

Choosing a child care provider can be a difficult task, and one that parents don't take lightly. There are many things to consider when looking for the right person, and thinking through the process carefully will insure you've made a good decision.

The first consideration you'll have will be not to rush things. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to choose a child care provider carefully. Rushing to a quick decision due to time constraints is a big mistake you will want to avoid if possible. If you're rushed to return to work before finding proper child care, then temporary arrangements with a trusted friend or family member are often a viable short term solution.

Your next decision will be to decide what kind of child care will be the best for you. Some parents will need full time child care and some will only need assistance a few days per week. Will you prefer to have someone come to your own home or would you like to drop your child off at a child care facility. Your specific needs most likely will be determined by your work schedule and your family's needs.

Interviewing potential child care providers will be your next step. There are many factors to consider when making your choice. Find out what the adult to child ratio is, to assure your child will have the proper amount of one on one attention. And try to visit the facility when parents will be dropping off or picking up their children. This will give you an opportunity to meet other parents and ask questions of them. Do the caregivers interact with the parents about the child's activities during the day? Notice how the children behave when being dropped off or picked up. Are they happy to be there?

Take the time to check out the individuals and or facilities carefully, and if you are not sure about it, keep going through the process until you are sure. Check out references, and be sure not to just listen to what they are telling you, but also to the things that they aren't saying. Sometimes, those are the biggest clues that will give you the answers you are looking for and which can be instrumental in making your choice.

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