Three Tips for Picking the Best Daycare for Your Baby: A Parent’s Guide to Finding Excellent Child Care

Leaving your baby in the hands of a stranger can be stressful. With so many daycares to choose from, the list can seem endless and overwhelming. The search for a perfect daycare doesn’t have to be a daunting task. As a matter of fact, we want to give you three simple tips so you can easily choose the best daycare for your sweet bundle of joy.

1. Make a List

Consider what you’re looking for in a daycare center. Dream big! Then make a list of what your ideal daycare would look like. What would make you most comfortable when leaving your child? There are several things to keep in mind when deciding.

• Location

Is location important to you? It is to most people. Whether the daycare is close to your home or place of employment can have a big impact. Would you like to visit your baby on your lunch break or would you prefer a quick trip between your home and the daycare center? These are important factors to consider.

• Cost

Finding the best care for your child is vital, but cost may also play a part in daycare selection. If you’re spending more on your baby’s daycare than you’re bringing home, it might not be the best option. Some daycare centers offer part-time care at a discounted rate. Cost is certainly something to consider.

• Staff to Child Ratio

Would you prefer a small group for your baby? If you’re hoping for plenty of one-on-one interaction with the caregiver, a small “class” may be your preference. If you’re hoping to encourage interaction with other kids, you may prefer a slightly larger group of children.

There may be other things of importance on your list. All parents have their own unique requirements. Be specific. Take time to consider what you really want in a child care center and write it down.

2. Research the Daycares that Meet Your Requirements

Once you’ve decided what is important in a daycare, it’s time to begin exploring. A simple search of child care centers on Top Daycare Centers is a good starting point. Pick up the phone and call the centers. Ask them questions to see if they meet your criteria. You’ll know right away whether the daycare will be a keeper. Once you’ve narrowed down the list, you can start visiting.

3. Take Your Child to Visit

You’ve done the ground work. You know what you want in a child care center and which centers meet your criteria. Now it’s time to pay a visit to the centers on your list, and don’t forget to bring your baby. If you’re hoping to have some one-on-one time to meet and greet the caregivers, you may want to schedule an appointment.

Walk around and meet the caregivers and teachers at the daycare. Pay attention to the way they interact with the children. Observe the classrooms and notice how they’re organized. Do the toys and books look clean and in proper condition? Is the staff kind and compassionate?

Final Thoughts

Finding the perfect daycare for your baby doesn’t have to be difficult. Take time to think about what you want. Do your research. Pick up the phone and call. Then, stop by and meet them in person. Most importantly, trust your gut. If you feel good about a particular daycare, go with it. If you feel hesitant, keep searching. There are plenty of great daycare centers to choose from and you’re sure to find the daycare of your dreams by following these 3 simple steps.