Child Care Options
Choosing the Right Child Care for Your Baby
Choosing child care is one of the most important things a parent will do. You know that early experiences are critical to healthy brain development, and you want the best for your child. But when it comes to child care, how do you know what’s best?
Finding child care takes time and effort. Some parents begin their search before the baby is born. Even if you don’t plan to return to work right away, it’s helpful to begin exploring options and learning what’s available in your community before you need care.
Good care can be found in a variety of settings:
In the Child’s Home
Care in your home is convenient. There’s no need to take the baby
out or disrupt her schedule. You interview and hire the caregiver. Remember,
this person will spend long periods of time alone with your baby and should
be someone you trust.
Family Child Care
Family child care providers look after a small number of children in the
provider’s home. Many parents prefer the small group size and home
atmosphere found in family child care. In New Jersey, family child care
providers may choose to apply for a Certificate of Registration from the
sponsoring organization serving their community.
Center Care
Child care centers are licensed by the New Jersey Division of Youth and
Family Services (DYFS), Bureau of Licensing, to care for a specific number
of children of specific ages. Licensing standards address basic health
and safety requirements. Centers vary in size, cost, and quality. Not
all licensed centers provide care for infants and toddlers.
The key indicators of quality child care apply to all types of care:
A Loving, Nurturing Caregiver
Look for a caregiver who interacts with the children through holding,
cuddling, reading, and talking. The caregiver should truly enjoy babies,
and have the knowledge and experience to give your child the attention
he needs. She should respect each child as unique and be able to respond
to the individual needs and personal styles of the children. The caregiver
should be responsible for a small number of children so that she can give
attention to each child.
A Clean & Safe Environment
Babies need a stimulating environment and freedom to explore their surroundings.
They need places to sleep, play, and eat which are free of hazards. Caregivers
should follow sanitation procedures for proper diapering, food storage,
and cleaning toys and surfaces. They should also be trained in first aid
and CPR and have written plans for dealing with emergencies and regular
fire drills.
Respect & Support for the Family
Communication between parent and caregiver is essential. Look for a caregiver
who will give you daily reports about your child’s day and who welcomes
your involvement.
Visit several child care providers and compare different types of care.
Observe how the caregivers interact with the children and whether the
children seem to be happy and engaged in appropriate activities. Does
the environment look safe and clean? Ask about the caregiver’s training
and experience with children. Does the caregiver share your values and
attitudes about child rearing? Are parents welcome to visit at any time?
When you’ve narrowed your choices, visit again. Observe the program
at different times to get a good picture of what your child’s day
will be like.
Only you can decide what is best for your child and family. Factors such
as cost, hours, home language of the family and caregiver, or a child’s
special needs can be important considerations. But remember that quality
is the most important factor.
Once you’ve found child care, stay involved. Continue to pay attention to the indicators of quality child care. Your observations of the program and of your child will help you judge if the care continues to be right for you.
Every child deserves quality child care. Take your time, ask lots of questions, and choose the best care for your child.
Provided by Linda Kriegel, director of the Bergen County Office for Children, the child care resource and referral agency serving Bergen County.