I was probably more nervous in choosing a childcare facility than I was interviewing for my job. The research was all done, the tours were set in stone, the butterflies reappeared with every new step we took into a daycare.
But it's for good reason: The search for a daycare should be treated like a job hunt. Be thorough, do your homework, and start early -- as far as six months out from when you plan on enrolling your child. It's a stressful prospect, to find a place you deem worthy of your precious bundle of joy, but if you're diligent, you can find the perfect place for your child and for you.
When Matt and I first found Tycho's daycare, I was a complete wreck the first day, and even cried shortly after dropping him off (though I was sure to wait until after I left the room to do so!). Now I drop him off with confidence, knowing he's well cared for and that we did everything we could to find him a safe, happy place to spend his day.
Now we're on the hunt again, as my office is moving... somewhere and we likely can't keep Tycho in the same city. As we embark on our second childcare search, I thought I'd share some tips and tricks we learned along the way and will be using again as we look for that perfect daycare, this time closer to home.
1. Start early.
No matter what you're looking for, it's best to start the search early -- at least six months in advance. Daycares and in-home care fill up quickly, especially in larger cities, and many require you to put down a deposit for a start date months in advance. We started the search while I was still pregnant, even though Tycho wouldn't enter daycare until he was three months; because we were so early in the hunt, we were able to pin down and finalize a daycare before he was even born.
2. Identify your priorities.
Every daycare is different, and this will become more apparent as you look at each one. So identify now what you want. Are you looking for somewhere close to work or home? Do you want a center, a home daycare, or a nanny? Doing this will help you narrow down the several options there are in the area.
Then there's how you want your child cared for, which will pare the list down further: Do you want the center to provide meals? Are you cloth diapering and looking for a CD-friendly daycare? Are you looking more for an adult-led or a child-led experience?
3. Do your research, then...
Yeah, so I keep talking about "research", but what does that mean? There are three phases to this: Before you go, the initial call, and the site visit.
Before you go, check out the daycare's licensing and other information. A good resource is Child Care Aware (800-424-2246), which allows you to find a local organization that provides information regarding childcare options in your area. You can also search for accredited childcare facilities through NAEYC and NAFCC, as well as reviews through sites like Yelp.
4. Interview and visit.
The initial call should cover things like scheduling a tour, getting a feel for the director, and finding out basics before you go. Be sure to ask:
- What is the adult:child ratio? (The ratio should start at 1:3 for up to two years, then go up from there.)
- What is the group size? (This should start at 6 for up to 12 months and go up from there.)
- What are the caregivers' qualifications? What kind of education, current and ongoing, do they need?
- What is the turnover rate for caregivers?
- What is the daycare's accreditation, if any?
- What are the daycare's hours, fees, and vacation schedules?
And don't be afraid to ask for references! Sure, daycare centers and providers probably won't refer you to someone who didn't like them, but nothing is more convincing than how another parent rates the care. Be sure to ask them what they liked and disliked about the center and whether their child is still there (and if not, why not).
Then it's time for the site visit! Be sure to schedule one at first, then ask if they're okay with one last random drop-in when you're close to making a decision. A daycare that will not let you drop in should be a red flag: If they're not okay with you dropping in, you don't know if they're hiding anything.
This time, you'll be meeting the director and daycare providers in person, so go with your gut instinct on how they seem when they answer your questions and whether they seem happy where they are. Since you'll probably get some one-on-one time with the daycare providers, consider these (and yes, some of these are repeats):
- What is the adult:child ratio? Are certain children assigned to certain caregivers? Does this ratio remain the same throughout the day?
- What are your philosophies on childrearing issues such as feeding, sleeping, and discipline?
- What is an example of your average day?
- Are you ever called away to help with another room? Are there any "floaters", and who are they?
- Do you enjoy your job? What, if anything, would you change? (They may not answer honestly, but hesitation may be a red flag here!)
- How long have you worked here?
- What is your previous work experience? How long were you at previous places?
And of course, be sure you're comfortable with the providers. Until your baby can talk, you'll be relying on what the providers tell you about your child's day. A daily sheet detailing how they're doing will help as well, but there's nothing like getting the 4-1-1 from your provider directly.
Is there anything else of importance to you? If so, ask them now. For instance, we needed to ask about things like who is authorized to pick up and drop off (and how they'll know), if they cloth diaper, and what their protocols are on cleaning toys and the room at the end of the day.
Check out this publication from NACCRRA: Is This the Right Place for My Child? It details 38 research-based questions to ask and observe about a daycare and will give you an unbiased look at the quality of the care.
5. The hardest part: Make a choice.
Many daycares have waiting lists, especially centers accredited by NAEYC, since less than 10% of centers have this designation. Your dream daycare isn't available for when you need it? Sign up for the waiting list anyway -- a spot may open up, or you may want to switch to there at a later date. Be sure to ask the daycare for recommendations of similar places, too, in case they're booked solid.
If you managed to get in, congratulations! May the daycare journey be fun, educational, and as caring as you imagined... but realize that you don't need to be married to it. If things don't work out, you can always make a switch. Yes, you'll want consistency for your baby, but babies are resilient and take change well, especially if they're getting a positive experience with their new caregiver.
6. The work doesn't stop here... stay involved!
After all, you're your child's essential caregiver, so be involved in your child's daycare experience, too. You and your daycare providers are a team now! Be sure to have meetings regularly to discuss your child's progress and things that need attention, offer volunteer time when you can, attend your child's birthday party at the center, and join in special events they may have.
If you can't take the time to visit, you can still check in at drop-off and pick-up by asking how your child did and how things in the classroom are going.
Visiting and participating will send a strong message that you care and are there for your child, that what your child and his caregivers are doing is important and worth asking about. Put your face front and center when it comes to your children.
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