How To Find Quality Childcare? It is not an easy job for any parent to find the right provider. In fact, searching for "quality" care for your child takes time and can be a long process. The time you take now to find the right provider will give you "peace of mind" once your child begins attending childcare.

Time. Time may be of the essence but it doesn't mean you need to rush into it with both eyes shut. Remember, you are not only trying to find someone who is affordable and can work with your work schedule, but who will become a second parent to your child. Unfortunately, our children end up spending more hours in childcare than we do at work.

Where Do You Start? There may be many resources in your community. One promising new on-line resource is ChildCareFinders.org, an informative website dedicated to bringing parents and providers together. They offer a detailed listing of childcare providers. In addition, Child Care Finder's "Parenting Forums" offer parents and providers a great place to share, discuss and exchange ideas and advice. Ultimately, it's up to you to interview and evaluate a "quality" provider that fits your needs and who can provide a nurturing environment for your child.

Let's Define "Quality." Webster defines quality as a "degree of excellence." Although there are many other definitions, how do you define the word in respect to childcare?

Let's Start With Licensed Childcare Providers. The reason we should start with license providers is because they are under State Guidelines, which regulates how many children a provider is licensed to care for in his/her Family Home Daycare, assures the licensee does not have any felonies or child abuse charges, stipulates that all adults over the age of 18 who recite at or visit the home regularly during business hours has their fingerprints on file, and before a childcare provider is licensed, a representative from licensing will visit the provider and conduct an inspection of the home assuring the home is safe and free of obvious hazards. Knowing a provider is licensed tells a lot about the provider and his/her ambitions to the childcare profession.

What Are Your Initial Needs? Make a list of what you need to fulfill your work obligations, schedule, and financial obligations. Ask questions about the hours of operation? Is the location of the provider convenient? And any other information you feel is essential to meeting your initial needs. Make copies of your list and use it as a guideline when screening providers over the phone. You can save a lot of time by eliminating those providers who don't meet your initial needs by conducting a simple telephone interview. Once you have screened several providers over the phone, you are ready to arrange for an initial visit. Call and arrange an appointment to interview prospective providers in their home preferably during business hours. Take the time to jot down specific questions about what is important for providing the best care for your child.

What Are Your Essential Needs? What will the caregiver need to offer your child to give you "peace of mind?" Think of all the qualities you want in a provider/caregiver that will best fit your child's needs: a warm and inviting environment, a loving and caring caregiver and don't forget a discipline policy that is similar to your own (depending on the age of your child). Ask to see a parent handbook that shows the policies the provider has already established.

Last But Not Least. Once you have decided on the right provider, call to arrange for another visit and bring along your child to see how he/she interacts with the prospective caregiver and the other children at the childcare home. This will also help your child deal with separation anxiety once his/her childcare begins with the new caregiver.

There are many excellent and quality providers who can meet your initial and essential needs and knowing you took the time to seek them out will give you "peace of mind" when your new childcare begins.

Good Luck!

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Credits: Denise Kirchner