Finding high-quality childcare that both you and your little one are comfortable with will erase your feelings of uncertainty and help eradicate mommy guilt. But the type of childcare you choose depends on any number of variables: cost, hours, child-teacher ratio, and distance from home or work. So it's important to spend time finding the right childcare for your situation.
Because there are so many options, fully inspecting your childcare alternatives can seem like both an overwhelming and a daunting task, especially if you're already maintaining a full-time work schedule. However, taking the time to really think about these options from the perspective of what you and your family need will be one of the most important steps a guilt-free working mother can make.
This chapter lists the seven tactics I used to find childcare for my children. I hope it will help you choose the best form for your family, whatever that looks like.
Ask questions and get answers: As a professional, you would never go into a meeting unprepared. Childcare is no different! As my old manager used to say, "Get the facts and the facts will set you free!"
When it came to making my childcare choices, I painstakingly interviewed ten daycares, five in-home centers, and a handful of nannies. I wanted to see the similarities and differences, understand their atmospheres, and compare pricing.
The more I stopped by and saw different childcare facilities in action, the more comfortable I became with the idea of leaving my baby with a caregiver when I returned to work. Seeing different styles of childcare options also helped me to determine what type of childcare I was looking for.
As you investigate options, be sure to check all facilities in a disciplined way. Before starting your search, prepare a list of questions to ask each potential caregiver. Be sure that you are aware of your concerns, wants, and expectations--and then don't be afraid to voice them.
At the end of this chapter I have included two childcare resources for you. One is a list of different types of c associated with each. You'll also find a list of to guide you when you have narrowed your decision down to a few choices. Take these questions with you when you visit potential facilities to get some answers that will be important childcare-related questionsactors in your decision. These lists are by no means all-inclusive, but should certainly provide you with a great start.
Consider work hours and location: This should be a major part of your decision process, but surprisingly, it is often not given full consideration. Having a senior position with significant responsibility and the hours to match created a conundrum for me: how could I spend some daylight hours with my child and still put in the time needed to be successful?
My answer: I chose a daycare close to my office because it gave me a great sense of peace knowing that I was able to check in on Megan at any time, if only for a few minutes. I checked in at lunch or sometimes even in the early afternoon. She was happy and thriving, and I felt like I could dedicate my days to work without missing out on her development.
Consider your work hours and location before making your decision. Do you need a childcare provider closer to work, or does it make more sense to have your provider closer to your home?
Maybe taking your children along for the commute will foster great quality time. Alternatively, the drive time could also give you the chance to accomplish work tasks, or even have a little down time for yourself. Will you be the sole person responsible for transportation to and from daycare, or will you have a spouse or family members helping? If it's a group effort, maybe a location near home would be more convenient for your support group.
Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so start by walking through your typical daily routine.
Samantha Knowles is the author of Working Mom Reviews. To know more about the south beach diet delivery check out South Beach Diet Delivery Review To learn tips to make money by online survey - quickly check out Surveys Paid Review
