Daycare Options
Finding the Best for Your Baby
The birth of a baby is probably the most joyous occasion of your life. You stare at your newborn as she sleeps, vowing to protect her from the ills of society. Then reality strikes. You have nightmares about the thought of daycare and, before you know it, your maternity leave is over.
Well, you will be pleased to know that there are more options for your daytime nursery care than there have been in the past. The needs of your baby and family situation will determine the type of service considered.
There are at least four options for new parents to review:
In Home Care
This is a service provided to you in your home. The provider may be a friend, relative, hired sitter, or nanny. A thorough background check should be conducted with those whom you are unfamiliar. An employment agreement or contract should be utilized with anyone hired for the position. This document should include the job description and rate of pay.Shared Care
e, shared care is a situation in which several families hire a provider to care for their children in the home of one of the families. This approach can reduce the expense of child care, as the cost is divided between the participating families. It may also allow for pop-in visits during the day since there are several families involved in the arrangement.Family Day Care
Similar to shared care, family daycare service is provided in the home of the provider. While the laws which govern such an operation are monitored from state to state, the law in New Jersey limits a provider to five or fewer children—four if all are infants. Usually, such a service is not as expensive as the rates offered at a licensed center.Licensed Center
This is a larger facility monitored by a governing agency within the state in which it is operated. New Jersey defines such an establishment as one with six or more young children enrolled. It is not uncommon for a center to assume the name Day School, Child Development Center, Nursery School or Child Care. Most programs operate independently and offer service for newborns up to five years of age. However, not all facilities provide care to children of all ages. Some may only accept infants and toddlers, while others provide service to preschoolers.
Now that you have an idea of options for your baby, ask yourself the following questions:
- What kind of establishment do I want for my baby?
- How far am I willing to travel?
- How much can I afford to pay?
- Is it important that the center be comprised of children from various ethnic and racial backgrounds?
- What hours of service do I need?
After giving careful thought to the most basic concerns, begin your search. Many find comfort with recommendations from friends and relatives, while others turn to the Internet for information. Both sources can be helpful, but remember, the center that is most popular with the “in crowd” may not be most suitable for your baby. Also, everything on the Internet is not always accurate. Be wise—visit the centers of your choice so that you can form your own opinion. Finally, the center of your choice, no matter how large or small, should be one that is clean and safe, but most of all loving.
