These Are 6 Things You Should Know About Childcare

Advertorial Feature 

If you’re looking to return to work and need to find child care, you probably have many questions. What type of child care is right for your family’s needs, and how will you afford it? You’ll want to know what to look for in a high-quality provider and how enrolling your child will make you and them feel. All major life changes tend to bring up feelings of uncertainty, but doing your research can help ease your fears and concerns. Use this as a starting resource for some things you should know about child care.

1.   Quality Is More Important Than Placement

You can rest easy with whichever decision you make about child care — keeping them at home or enrolling them in a formal setting. Research suggests the quality of the home environment, family relationships and care provider are more important long-term than where the child spends their day. Having a place where all of their needs are met, they feel loved, are presented with learning opportunities and plenty of individual attention will make children thrive — whether at day care or with a nanny, parent or other relatives.

2.   You Have Many Forms of Child Care to Choose From

Many parents will rely on traditional day care facilities or a child’s grandparents to watch their children, but in reality, there are so many possibilities. You can enroll your little one at a formal day care facility or find an au pair or nanny for an in-home program.

Au pairs and nannies are more expensive but take care of your children at your house, so your kids can keep their typical eat and sleep schedule. Some provide very customized care, like working with newborns or children with special needs. Alternatively, relatives who live close by might also be willing to share care of your little one while you work or you could search for Day Care Near me in Canton, MD. 

3.   Some Options Are Inexpensive

Child care can be expensive, but if you know where to look, you can find a high-quality option without breaking the bank. Leaving your little one with a relative, like a grandparent, during the day is probably the cheapest alternative — typically free — with the added bonus that they get to build a special bond.

You could also check at your work to see if there’s on-site child care available. If so, these facilities are typically free of charge to employees. Having your little one close by can be convenient, especially if they’re still breastfeeding.

Lastly, schools in some states have started offering pre-school programs for 3-5-year-olds for free or at a low cost. Your child would be in a class designed to prepare them for kindergarten. Some places offer the option for half or full days, based on your needs. 

4.   Drop In From Time to Time

Even if you feel entirely comfortable with your child care choice, it’s a good idea to check in on them once in a while. Several factors can affect the quality of your child’s situation. Staffing changes or rising enrollment can change the amount of individual care they get. Stopping in to observe for a little while can give you a better picture of how things run when parents aren’t there.

If you use a nanny, au pair or babysitter, you may want to drop in on them as well to ensure they’re meeting your standard of care. Be very clear on how they should handle important issues like discipline, diet, screen time, outside play and anything else that matters to you.

5.   There’s No “Best” Age to Begin Child Care

Researchers have conducted countless studies on the best age to begin child care for your little ones, but everyone seems to reach a different conclusion. Plus, life rarely offers up ideal situations. The “best” age simply doesn’t exist — odds are your work will dictate when you need to enroll your child. You know what’s best for your family, regardless of what the experts say.

6.   Getting Child Care Might Make You a Better Parent

Not being with your child all day will likely feel very foreign at first, but trying to get work done while also taking care of a little one isn’t ideal either. If you think child care might be a possibility, consider giving it a trial run to see how it affects you and your family. 

Other parents have been surprised at the benefits to their mental health and the quality of their relationship with their kids. Having the opportunity to get all your work done for the day before your little one comes home leaves all of that time open to you in the evening to enjoy each other stress-free. Plus, all the time apart gives you a chance to miss them and can build a new appreciation for them. You’ll also open up time to indulge in a bit of self-care or run an errand at the end of your work day without a fussy baby or toddler in tow — you’d be surprised at the effect this can have on your mental health.

Always Have a Backup Plan

No matter what form of child care you choose, people get sick and accidents happen. You should always have a backup plan for when those situations arise, so you don’t need to miss work. Create a list with a few trusted babysitters you can try or a relative who might be willing to take over in an emergency. Having some ideas ready to go will turn a possibly stressful situation into a non-issue.