It really goes without saying that cost should not be the determining factor when finding quality care for your child. However, it is an inevitable consideration and you need to make sure you have budgeted for this expense.
You also need to consider all the "extras" very carefully. My daycare has always had late-pickup fees for each child past 6 p.m. With three little ones, being even a few minutes late can really add up! Some daycares do not cover lunch or breakfast, or may request you chip in for supplies.
Additionally, some have stringent policies limiting the number of weeks a child can be away for vacations without a financial penalty. As a matter of fact, Parker's daycare only allows one week off per year. Our family usually takes two weeks of vacation, so we pay the daycare for a whole week each year that Parker isn't even there. Although frustrating, it was easier for me to come to terms with it because I understood the policy upfront. This limited number of "free" weeks comes as a surprise to many new mothers and might make other childcare options more attractive or affordable.
It should be noted that these hidden fees are not limited to daycare centers. Many in-home providers and nannies expect vacation pay, reimbursement for daily lunches, mileage, or other expenses. Don't stress over these details, just make sure you know the full cost of your child's care before you commit.
Take a test drive
When I narrowed my choice of childcare options down to daycare, I had to choose between two different locations. To the surprise of many, I brought six-week-old Megan to each center for a half day. I watched how they interacted with her, cared for the other children, and worked with each other. Is it a happy environment? Are the babies content and cared for? Are they loved?
Pay attention to how staff members or your prospective nanny interacts with your child and the other children. If you don't see them at the children's level playing, reading, or participating, then move on to your other options.
Ultimately, I chose the daycare that was about half a mile farther from where I worked because I felt more comfortable with who would be Megan's primary teacher. Interestingly, the center was not rated as high and it wasn't "as pretty," but it just felt better for me.
Good teachers don't mind this step--in fact, they will welcome it. For me, it was a tremendous learning experience that helped me visualize life with childcare and made me feel more comfortable with it. Don't worry about what other people may think about you. Take this extra step to feel more comfortable in your choice.
Drop by and spy
After you have chosen a childcare provider, make sure you continue to check in. Make unannounced visits as often as you want or need to. With my own daycare center just minutes from my office, I often stop by when I am not traveling.
This is a good practice, but be forewarned: just as everything does not go perfectly when your child is at home, the same is true for your childcare provider. I used to pop in and see Emily happily playing on the floor with other children, full of smiles, but I also saw her in full meltdown while her teachers tried to get her down for a nap.
The key is that your center should be open and welcoming to your visits. Crazy things can happen during the day, but as long as your childcare provider can roll with it and maintain a good attitude, you will feel good about it, too.
Samantha Knowles is the author of Working Mom Reviews. Learn how to train your eyes, regain back your 20/20 vision and get clearer vision naturally, check out Natural Clear Vision To learn how to use any DSLR camera, check out Photography Masterclass
