Finding a Daycare Provider for Children

Trying to find a daycare provider for your child/children could be very nerve wrecking since you're putting your trust in a strangers hands. The best care for your child is watching them yourself, but not a lot of people have that option because they have to work to make a living.

Daycare can be very expensive but if you look for cheap daycare then you pretty much get what you paid for and your child is worth more than that. I've been in a situation before with a daycare provider that was cheap in price and my children came home with mosquito bites, cuts, bruises, dirty clothes, and always had colds.

You need to do your homework when it comes to searching for daycare for your child/children. There are different types of care you can choose from and that is having a Nanny, In home daycare, and childcare centers.

When choosing care for your child, make sure you visit the places first. If you're looking for a nanny, make sure that person has a lot of experience with children. Also make sure you check their background.

Also a great website to use if your looking for a babysitter, nanny, or childcare center, visit Care.com and find a qualified, background checked sitters in your area.

Here is what to expect when choosing care for your child or children.

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What to Expect When Hiring a Nanny

With a nanny your child will get a lot of attention that they need unlike if they were in a childcare center or in home childcare.

A nanny job is to care, protect, teach, and play with your child like if the child were their own. This option is better for children that are newborns through 1 years old.

Usually nannies rates are about $12-$25 dollars in hour depending on their experience. A good thing about a nanny is that they could either live in with you or live out which gives you more flexible schedule.

Also they can do child related house cleaning. Just don't expect them to become a housekeeper, a personal assistant, a chauffeur, etc. You want your nanny to have all their focus on your child or children.

Make sure if you choose a nanny that they have a resume with references. Also do a background check on them.

Now remember when having a nanny they are in a unsupervised setting. If you feel nervous about this you can put up a nanny cam to make sure the nanny is preforming their job well. It is best to tell the nanny beforehand that you'll have a nanny cam up so the nanny can be prepared for it.

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Nanny cams can be hidden anywhere in your home. Also you can place nanny cams in your child's favorite toy.

In home childcare is in a home like setting with fewer children unlike a childcare center.

Parents like to choose this option when they want their child to feel like if they were at home. This is cheaper than having a nanny but make sure that whatever in home childcare you choose is licensed by the state.

Also interview the provider and check out their home to make sure it is clean and safe for your child/children. Look to see if the other children that the provider is caring for is happy and look clean.

When you find a in home daycare that is right for you, your child/children will be in a homey setting with other children to interact with. Also a good benefit about in home childcare is that your child comes home with fewer colds.

Now in home childcare the provider is not supervised, so make sure to drop in to make sure everything is going well with your child.

This option is less expensive than a nanny and childcare center so expect the rates to be $125-$300 a week depending on how many children you have.

Now a downside about a in home childcare provider is that when they become sick or take vacation, you may not have care for your child/children, so plan ahead and find backup care just in case.

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Childcare centers is a center with multiple children with several different providers caring for children. I believe this option is better for children that are older than 1 years old because children do not get as much individual attention and kids that are newborns through age 1 need a lot of attention.

A good thing about childcare centers is that they have a lot of activities to keep your child learning and active. Your child/children will get to socialize with a lot more children unlike if they're at home with a nanny.

Also a childcare center is more stable so you don't have to worry about a nanny or in home care provider getting sick and can't watch your child.

The downside about a childcare center is that your child is open more to germs and colds. And if your child/children get sick while at childcare, they'll get sent home which leaves you with trying to find care while their sick.

Childcare have set rules and hours so make sure you check them out to see if it works for you.

Childcare centers rates usually are $150-$300 a week depending on how many children that you have and how old they are. Some centers also offer multiple children discounts.

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It is very important to know what your child will be doing in another person's care. So asking questions to the Daycare Provider will help you know if they'll be the right fit to watch your child.

1. Have you had a background check?
2. Are you liense to drive and can you provide me with a driving record?
3. Are you license in the state and can you show me proof?
4. Up to how many children are you licensed to provide care for?
5. What are your schedule of the daily activities my child will be doing?
6. Will my child have any outdoor play?
7. Do you offer snacks, lunch, or dinner? If so, what types of meals do you provide?
8. Do you offer drop off or pick up from school?
9. Do you offer nap times?
10. When a child misbehaves, how do you discipline them?
11. How many children are in your care?
12. Will I get a weekly report of what my child did throughout the week?
13. Do you offer homework help?
14. Will there be other childcare providers helping you?
15. Has your home or center been child-proof?

Make sure when looking for childcare for your child/children, that you find care that is right for you and your child.

Finding the right care will give you piece of mind knowing your child is getting good quality care while your not around.

Remember you get what you pay for, so if you're only looking for cheap childcare, then don't expect quality care.

If you're having trouble paying for childcare because your income is low, visit your local Department of Families and Children services and see if they have assist with helping you pay for childcare. You must meet a certain income requirement to qualify.

What Is Better? A Nanny, In Home Childcare, Or Childcare Center?

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