How to Select a Quality Daycare for Your Child

Exploring Your Childcare Options

By Jill Eggleton Brett

Parents have several childcare options these days, and fortunately quality day care is one of them. Many people think of day care as a freestanding facility with hired employees and various ages of children. But there are also home-based day cares run by caring families that are dedicated to giving quality child care. Parents choose to place their children in day care for different reasons, but it's safe to say that all parents are seeking the same end -- a safe and caring environment for their children.

A good place to start when seeking a day care for your child is with friends and family. Get their recommendations. And if it turns out that your child will be attending the same day care as a relative or friend, it will help her feel all the more comfortable in a new environment. Another sensible way to begin the selection process is to be familiar with the state licensure regulations for day care centers and home-based day cares. Licensure requirements can cover everything from safety and sanitation to caregiver education. States may differ in requirements for licensing, so check with your state government to learn to standard in your state.

Once you've compiled a list of potential day cares, start narrowing your choices through simple phone interviews. This is a convenient way for parents to save time while shopping for the best day care possible. Have pen and paper in hand and get answers to the following questions:

1. What is the program's age range?
2. Are there openings for more children?
3. What are the hours of operation?
4. What are the program's goals and philosophies in caring for children?
5. What is the child-to-caregiver ratio? The smaller the ratio the better.
6. What is the caregiver's level of education and experience?

After you've narrowed down your choices, schedule a visit with each potential day care and speak with its director or primary caregiver. Simply being in the environment yourself will be the main tool in deciding whether a day care is right for your child. Taunya Sweeney, mother of three, says, "Overall cleanliness was a big issue for me when selecting a day care. Of course there were going to be toys laying here and there -- that's normal. But if the toys looked grimy and eating areas weren't well-cleaned, that day care was crossed off my list of prospectives."

Want to see more?

• Finding the Perfect Nanny
• On Par with Au Pairs
• Day Care Providers Discussion Board
• Home Day Care Discussion Board