Choosing appropriate child care

Choosing appropriate child care for your infant or young child can seem as overwhelming as helping your teenager select a college or university. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, and nurturing. Here are some tips for making such an important decision.

Your Child and Family
About 70% of parents place their young children in some type of daily care. Whether you choose in-home or center-based care, a preschool, or someone else's home for your child's daily care setting, you should follow some specific guidelines to ensure receiving quality, professional care.

Most important is to know your own child's temperament, likes and dislikes, health, interests, and behavior.
For a baby under 1 year old, give careful attention to your child's need to be nurtured and held, any special health needs, and the type of person you want to care for your child during the first year of life.
For an older child, developing play and learning styles, interaction with other kids, intellectual curiosity, and need for individualized attention should be considered.

The family's own values and emotional needs also come into play.
Some parents are overly anxious about leaving their very young child with one person, while others prefer this individual care. But by age 3 or 4, it's good for kids to have at least some exposure to other kids and participate in a structured program like preschool or daycare.