Choosing daycare | Parenting

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Picking a quality daycare

Many parents have to make decisions about daycare during or after their divorce. It is an emotional time and making a good choice in daycare for your child can be tough among all the other changes going on. Here are some ideas to help you through this process

Stay at home parents

If you were a stay-at-home parent before the divorce, this can be a difficult change. You may not have wanted daycare for your child but are forced into it by circumstances. If you have no other viable choices, then accept that you need daycare and put your energy into finding the best one to suit your child and your situation.

Where to get information

Recommendations from other parents

Talk to other parents and find out about the daycare facilities they use. Find out what they like and dislike about that facility. No childcare is completely perfect for every-one's needs so expect to hear a dislike or two. Decide if those issues raised are very important to you

Workplace

Many workplaces have information on daycare in their human resources department. They may have a list of daycare facilities in your area and further information to help guide you in your choice.

Your doctor/pediatrician

Your child's doctor may well have some suggestions for daycare and you will need to visit them anyway to ensure vaccinations are current and to have a record to provide the daycare administration.

Internet/phone book

Searching the phone book or Internet will give you a list of facilities in your area but probably not much more information to help you in your decision. It can be a place to start but will require a lot of follow up and visits.

Government information on childcare

Your country or state likely regulates childcare and has helpful information including license information and helplines.

Examples:

State of New Jersey childcare information
U.K public services - childcare information

Make sure the childcare service you choose is licensed and insured. You can use these websites to check.

List of U.S. state web pages

Visiting Daycare

Make a short list of daycare facilities that you would like to visit.
Call and make an appointment.
Go with a list of questions prepared and written down.
Do ask for a tour while kids are there so you can see them in action.