Making Your Day Care Choice

Finding a Nanny
Many nannies are available through an agency. You can also advertise for a nanny online or in the newspaper. A couple Web sites to check: The International Nanny Association, www.nanny.org and Parents with Nannies, www.4nanny.com. If you choose to have a nanny, interview her once on the phone and at least twice in person.

Some questions to ask:

• How would she handle a three-year-old (or age of your child) who would not stay in his bed at naptime?

• How she would feel about some housekeeping duties?

• What kind of training and experience does she have?

• Ask for a list of references and call each one.
Note: Many nannies expect this, and the majority of agencies will provide this as a part of their services.

Locating a Sitter or Traditional Day Care
If a babysitter or day care center is your choice, contact the agency in your state which licenses the centers, because they might provide you with a list of state-licensed day care centers in your area. The National Child Care Resource and Referral Network, www.naccrra.org, can lead you to listings of day care providers in your area. You can also check your phone book for a local chapter.

Another resource is Parents As Teachers (PAT)--www.patnc.org or call your local school district. Parents As Teachers offers many services to parents of children ages birth to 5, sometimes including information about local child care services and babysitting co-ops.

Non-Traditional Alternatives
If you are looking to get into a co-op, in addition to asking PAT, you could ask at your church or school. Also consider asking your neighbors to start a playgroup and possibly exchanging babysitting times.

Do Your Homework
Before you commit to any child care arrangement, do a lot of homework. The more time you devote to screening and asking questions, the less conflicts you will find later. Ask for references and call each one. Visit the home or center several times--both alone and with your child.

Watch the caregiver interact with the children, and note the following:

• Does she seem to genuinely like children?

• Does she listen to the children and encourage them to express themselves?

• Do the children look happy and involved?

• Are the toys and equipment age appropriate, clean and in good condition?

• Is the outside play area properly padded?

Some questions to ask:

• What is a typical day like?

• What form of discipline do they use?

• What sort of experience and training does the staff have?

• How long has most of the staff been at the center?

• Can a parent drop in during the day?

• In a caregiver's home, ask who else will be in contact with the children.

Finally, the best thing you can do when choosing day care is to follow your instincts. If a situation does not seem ideal, keep looking. What works for one family might not work for you. You know your child best and are best able to judge what setting will be the best for him.

Published: August 2000

Barbara Byrd is a freelance writer who lives in St. Louis with her husband, two children, and a big dog named Bob. She is a regular contributor to the parenting, pregnancy, and health areas of FamilyFun.