Choosing a Child Care Center: Part 2

Previously I've discussed what you should look for in a center.  You need to know your state licensing ratios of caregivers to children and it is helpful to know the education and experience of the educators.  There are a few more things you will want to consider when choosing a site for your child.

COST
Perhaps one of the most important factors for busy working parents, you will need to find a center that meets your standards as well as your pocketbook.  Centers may charge a monthly rate, weekly rate, or hourly.  Some offer discounts for siblings while others do not.  You may find you pay only when your child is present while at other centers you pay for the day whether you are there or not.  This is commonplace as the center still has to pay for overhead (rent, staff salaries, supplies, etc.) whether your child is there or not so try not to be put off by this.  Child care is a business and, like most businesses, in order to provide quality there needs to be some certainty of income.  In my opinion, you will likely find that the better the center, the more it may cost you.  This is because it costs money to provide for quality food, supplies, and educated caregivers for your child.  That isn't to suggest you should just opt for the most expensive center--it doesn't necessarily mean it is the best.  It's just that quality costs money and that cost is usually a large part of parent fees.

Also, be sure to ask about subsidies or scholarships.  Many parents don't know to ask about this but many centers offer these programs for those in lower-income categories.  Some subsidies are offered through the state, some through the center itself.  It's always good to ask!  Your place of employment may also provide some child care subsidy or flexible spending accounts that are tax-free so you may want to check with your human resources department.

DISTANCE FROM HOME/WORK
Think about how quickly you will be able to reach your child should he become ill.  There will invariably be times when the center may call you to have you pick up your baby who has come down with an ailment.  You will likely want to be somewhat nearby so you can get there quickly.  Likewise, a center near where you work will allow you to drop in unexpectedly from time to time if possible so you can check on your baby or to allow you to visit during lunch or when you are on a break.  Sometimes this isn't possible but if it will be a possibility for you it can be a lovely perk!  While you may not be able to find a center that's a "stone's throw" from your door, keeping the distance in mind is a good way to decide if you are trying to choose between two or three centers you like.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST?
Does the cost of care include meals and snacks?  Does it include formula and cereal or do you bring that from home?  These items can add up!  A center that is cheaper but in which you need to provide food can end up being more expensive in the long run.

AND SPEAKING OF FOOD...
While your baby may enter care drinking only Mommy's milk or formula, eventually they are going to want to eat solid food!  Many centers will have you bring food from home.  Find out how they warm it and how they keep it cold if necessary.  Also, what happens if you forget the food?  Do they offer a substitute meal or will you need to go back out and get something?  Many centers provide meals for the children.  When your child is a small infant, they may provide items such as rice cereal and pureed fruits and veggies or they may have you bring in jars of food.  As a child ages and is eating more foods, food is really a way to teach children about nutrition and caring for their bodies, even at a young age.  If the center provides food, it should be healthy offerings from a well-rounded food pyramid!  Your child can have cookies at home, but at school the selections should be healthy options that will help teach them to like a variety of different foods.  Throughout life, children get plenty of chances to eat cookies, chips, and drink aid.  At school, they should have fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk and cheeses.  If you are vegetarian or eat kosher, ask about those options and how they can fit into the program.  Many centers that provide meals will provide a vegetarian option or they may have you bring this from home.  It's always good to ask and to see that your child's special dietary needs are met. 
Also, if your child has specific food allergies, will the center be able to handle them?  While your baby may be eating little now, as his world expands he will try new foods.  What do they do if you find he's allergic to peanuts or is lactose intolerant?  What if he has a gluten allergy?  Simply asking ahead of time can help you learn the policies of the center and the experience of the staff in dealing with food allergies.

STAFF
While I spoke of staff earlier in the blog, let's talk a little bit more about them!  The staff of the center is THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect of the caregiving process!!  Find out who will be caring for your child, their level of experience, how long they have worked at the center, and their level of education.  Do you perceive the director as someone who is professional or as someone you might have trouble going to if there is an issue?  Is the office staff professional yet courteous?  All of this is important because these people need to work together to make your family's experience a great one.  Many centers have high turn-over of staff.  This is common in the field as it is often a lower-paying job and often without benefits.  You will likely see less turn-over in centers that pay a decent living wage and offer benefits to their staff.  Don't be afraid to ask about turn-over and how long your child's teachers have worked in their positions.  For a baby, they need to build bonds of trust and have consistency of caregiving.  You can't do that if you have new teachers every 6 months! 

EXPECTATIONS OF PARENTS
No, I don't mean what you expect of them.  I mean what THEY expect of YOU!  While many centers allow you to have as much or as little involvement as you can, some centers may have expectations of the parents in their center.  Do you have to sell things such as tickets for raffles or candy bars?  Are you expected to attend functions in the evening or during the day?  While some parents relish the opportunity to do these things, others may simply not have the time.  Find out what is expected of you so there aren't any surprises.  You may also want to ask what opportunities there are for you to participate in your child's experience.  Many centers welcome parents to join a parent group, play instruments or read books to the children,  or join in for parent dinners or breakfasts.  The best center for you will be one that allows you to participate as much or as little as YOU would like!

OVERALL COMFORT LEVEL
Lastly, you have to trust your gut!  A center that has all of it's "ducks in a row" but leaves you feeling like your child will just be a number or makes you feel like you are just one in a hundred isn't going to be the place for you.  You need to feel comfortable with the staff, the building, the philosophy of the place in order to feel your child is being cared for well.  You should be allowed to come AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY, no matter where you go, and you should feel welcomed at all times!  After all, you won't be very productive at work if you are constantly fighting the knot in your stomach.  Now, I'm not talking about the "first day" (or week) jitters.  Most parents leaving their child for the first time will be apprehensive.  It's nature's way of keeping us from forgetting little ones in stores and on the subway!  You will likely feel apprehensive turning over that sweet little one the first few times.  I'm talking about the gut feeling that this isn't the place for you!  If you feel that, then you should go with that instinct.  I know, as a teacher, I've hugged many a mom on that first day as she gets ready to leave with tears in her eyes.  But by day 10 she is smiling and waving good-bye, along with her baby, as she just needed to get over own "separation anxiety."  You need to just make sure that, wherever you select, you can see yourself fitting in for the long haul, that you can picture your child smiling at you from the other side of the door once they are in and adjusted, and that you can see that place helping you and your family take care of the most important person that ever existed on this lovely earth!!!

Choosing a Childcare Center: Part 1

As a caregiver for the past 18 years, I have learned a lot about what to look for when it's time for you to return to work.  Babies require special care and you want to make sure you select the best you can for you and your child.  Here are some things you will want to look for when you are choosing the type of care for your baby.

TYPES OF CHILD CARE
There are various options you can choose when you decide it's time to allow your baby to be cared for by others.  Some of these include, but are not exclusive to, child development or daycare centers, family day care, church or religiously affiliated child care, nannies or care from someone outside your family, and being cared for by a relative.  Each has benefits and possible drawbacks.  For this entry, we will exclusively discuss child care centers.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CENTER
Some centers are labeled as "daycare" centers while others may be "child development centers."  While the terms are sometimes unchangeable, most professionals in the field will prefer the term "child development center" as the goal of these centers is not just to watch your child while you are at work or school but instead they work to provide your child with developmentally appropriate activities to help him or her meet their current goals of development.  "Daycares" can do this also and many child development centers are coined "daycare" because it is a familiar term to adults.  You will want to know what to look for to make sure the center is working hard to ensure your child's optimal development.

When you visit a center, you may see babies of various ages in a classroom.  Some centers view "infants" as babies up to 12 months old.  Others may be up to 14 months, 18 months, or same may have a infant and young toddler classroom with children up to age two or more.  Depending on the philosophy of the center, your state's regulations, and other factors such as space, each of these options can be acceptable if children are able to be kept active and programming meets the specific needs of the children enrolled. 

The staff of the program should, at a minimum, meet the requirements put forth by your state.  Most states require at least a minimum amount of education or documented experience for someone to work in a childcare center.  I recommend that there be at least one teacher in the classroom who has a minimum of an Associates degree, though a Bachelor's degree is preferred.  Many centers will hire people who have just experience, perhaps someone who has been a babysitter or nanny for a year or possibly someone who has raised their family and wants to now work with children.  While these caregivers may be knowledgeable on care giving, they will not know how to plan for your child's development like someone who has been educated in Child Development.  The staff of a child care program is the CORE that makes a program either top-notch, average, or fighting to stay above water. 

I can't stress enough that you will want to check your state regulations to see what the ratio of infants to teachers must be!  I have heard stories from parents who have had their child cared for by one adult who is by far out of state ratios.  The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the predominant professional organization nationwide for early childhood practitioners.  They recommend a ratio of one teacher for every three infants (when infants are age 12 months or less).  Here in Pennsylvania, the ratio is 1:4.  When you start to get higher ratios than 1:4, you risk not having enough time to hold babies, talk to them one-on-one, or care for them as individuals.  Babies need individual care and lower ratios help ensure caregivers are able to interact with each child throughout the day. 

HOW DO CHILDREN LEARN?
Children learn through play and play is considered children's "work."  You should see babies actively playing, on the floor with toys, having "tummy time," and being held and spoken to by adults.  There may be crying (they are babies after all!) but a crying baby should be picked up for comfort, held by an adult, and comforted.  When babies are awake, they should not be in cribs, playpens, swings, or other items designed to keep them in one place!  I can't stress  this enough!!  Babies need to move about and explore to grow their brains and they can't do that if they are left in one place without the opportunity to see what their world has to offer.  I know at home it may be commonplace for you to put your baby in a playpen so you can get dinner cooked or in the crib while you get your shower.  That's fine for you, you have work to get done after all!  But in a childcare center, their job IS your baby! 

WHAT WILL THE ROOM LOOK LIKE?
While a six week old has very different abilities from a 14 month old, you should see activities that meet the needs of both age groups in the infant room.  Caregivers are educators and it is their role to provide activities that meet the needs of children in their care.  There should be rattles, instruments, books, mirrors, balls, blocks, and plenty of room for your baby to move and climb when ready.  You should see shelving that is low enough for children to make their own toy choices when ready.  Teachers should be down on the floor or low to the ground so they are able to interact eye-to-eye with children for much of the day or able to hold children at eye level so they can speak to them face-to-face.  There should be a rocking chair so your child's caregivers can rock him or her when feeding, comforting, or helping them go to sleep.  Cribs, cots, or mats should be available for rest times.  Music and art should be available and you should see children's art decorating the walls of the classroom, some of it low enough that the children can see what they've made!  The classroom should be clean and there should be a bin, basket or sink to put toys in as they get dirty so they can be cleaned at a later time.  Overall, the classroom should be warm and welcoming and you should have a good feeling about the atmosphere!

NEXT WEEK:  PART 2