Unless you plan to be a stay-at-home mom (or dad), you will need to work out childcare for when you are working. Choosing the person who you will trust to take care of your precious new addition is a very big decision, so you don’t want to be rushed into it.

It is a good idea to start thinking about this now, even before you are matched with a child. Then, after you know for sure that a child is coming, you can make a final decision about who you will entrust with your child’s care.

Childcare is not limited to babies going into a daycare; childcare might also be needed for older children who will be going somewhere other than home after school lets out. Childcare includes in-home day cares, nannies, and summer camps. Any time another person is watching your child, you need to make sure that person is trustworthy and that your child will be happy and safe in that person’s care.

Before signing up with a childcare provider, visit the location first. I am always surprised to hear about people who select a childcare provider site unseen. Sometimes they do this because the provider comes highly recommended. Other times, they are pleased with the price. (Any form of childcare can get pricy.)

I have known people who showed up for the first day of childcare and found an unpleasant surprise waiting for them. That leaves the parent in quite a dilemma, especially if the boss is expecting the parent at work in 30 minutes.

When you visit a childcare provider, look for the following things:

• Are the children happy?


• Is the facility clean?


• Is there a sink and/or antibacterial solution in the room?


• Is the person in charge friendly and good with children?


• Are there windows in the rooms?


• Is there more than one adult in each room?

The last two points are for your child’s protection from sexual predators. One reason I chose a Montessori school for my son is because the school has large windows in the hallway for each classroom. The teachers know that anyone can be watching at any time.

Be sure to ask how your child will spend his day. There is a big difference between a daycare that has organized activities and one in which the children sit around watching Barney all morning.

Most importantly, trust your intuition. Is this a place where you feel comfortable leaving your child? If not, then walk away, even if you cannot articulate why you don’t like the place. Sometimes our intuition notices something that we are not seeing from a “logical” perspective. If the place has a bad vibe, then don’t leave your child there.

Related Topics:

• When you have to work: transition to childcare



• Tales of woe from a work-at-home mom…