5 Things Every Parent Should Know When Searching for Childcare

Choosing the best childcare for your little one can be an overwhelming and confusing topic for parents. 

We called on Tammy Gold, certified parent coach and author of “Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer: A Practical Guide for Finding and Achieving the Gold Standard of Care for Your Child,” to share 5 tips to make the childcare search a little easier:

Look In Before You Look Out
Typically parents start looking for childcare situations before they truly assess their needs. This can work, but for most parents they realize that certain aspects of their choice do not match their needs or the needs of their children. The key is to first identify what you want and what you need before you begin researching.

Look at the Physical and Emotional

Parents need first answer: What type of emotional care do I want for my child? Will my child be better in-home or at a center where they can be exposed to other children? What are my needs as a parent? Will a 9-5 daycare schedule put tremendous pressure on my work week as opposed to the round-the-clock care of an au-pair?

After figuring out some parental needs questions, parents need to look at the developmental needs of their children based on their age and ask questions such as: What activities does my child need at this age?

Break Down Wants vs. Needs
Once you understand your physical and emotional requirements, you can begin to flesh out what you “want” and what you “need.” In my book and with clients, I refer to it as your “Musts” and your “Pluses.” Sometimes parents place wants with needs and they are unable to find a match for their child. However, by breaking them apart, you will open the pool of options to a bigger category.

Play the Part
Sadly, in childcare, sometimes people can be wonderful in interview or approved appointment tours, but they may change drastically once more time is spent together. So whether it’s a nightly sitter, a daycare center or nanny, you need to do trials to see if you and your children feel comfortable there. You and your child want to “play the part” as if it were a real day by going off to daycare for a few hours (while mom observes somewhere nearby) or by having the sitter to your home while you ask her to do several items that would be part of her duties. Pretend that this trial is the real thing and speak up about any concerns or wishes to see and test how flexible the center’s staff or in-home caregiver would be. Playing the part is the best way to see how suited the match is to you and your family.

Opening Image: Michael Naumoff for Captain and the Gypsy Kid