Guide to Choosing the right Daycare

 

Congratulations on having a new baby! Although this is undoubtedly an exciting time, it’s also quite an exhaustive phase. Since you will be returning to work in a few months’ time, you must find someone to take care of your baby while you are away. But as any working parent will readily tell you, finding the right daycare solution is no mean achievement. It is not only difficult logistically but also emotionally.

 

The task ahead of you is to find not only a loving caregiver but also one who has the same schedule and values as yours. The good news is that there are lots of options today. According to research done in the past twenty years, most children benefit from high-quality daycare.

 

Although some researchers, for instance, a recent study done by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, shows that children that spend over 30 hours per week in a child care have a tendency to be disobedient and aggressive by the time they attain kindergarten age, the same research points out numerous benefits of daycare, for instance better problem-solving skills, language, and memory development. Most researchers are of the view that a child’s home environment exerts the most crucial influence on him, whether he’s at home with his parents, or in a full-time daycare center.

 

So how do you go about finding the right daycare for your child? Below are the options to consider.

1. Au pairs and nannies

 

An au pair is a perfect idea if you have one extra bedroom and don’t have a problem sharing your space. An au pair refers to a foreign woman who mostly works under an agency, and is paid a small amount of money and board and room in exchange for daycare. But if you want more privacy, or don’t have an extra room for an au pair, you might want to go the option of a day nanny. However, be prepared to shell out extra cash. Day nannies especially appeal to parents who have older kids who may need to be driven to various activities like preschool classes.

1. Pros
2. More flexibility of hours than daycare centers.
3. Your baby benefits from one-on-one care.
4. You might also get some help on cooking and housekeeping.
5. Since the baby stays at home, there is no need of bringing supplies to daycare.
6. Cons
7. Meeting an au pair before hiring is difficult since they come from foreign countries.
8. Might not have professional training.
9. You may need to pay agency fee.

 

 

2. Daycare centers

 

If your daycare center is equipped with the right kind of staff, the chances are that your baby will develop socialization skills and early interest in learning. But the issues soem parents run into with daycare centers is that they can be beyond most parents financially, unless they are associated with the company you work for or subsidized.

 

1. Pros
2. Qualified, trained staff
3. It’s easy to keep child happy at home thanks to their structured routines.
4. May be convenient if it’s associated with your workplace.
5. Social engagement with other children
6. Cons
7. Need to commute to a daycare center then to work.
8. Could have waiting list.
9. Your child will have to adjust to the feeding and nap schedule of the center Family daycare .

 

In the case of young infants, family daycare can provide a perfect blend of a tranquil family surrounding with the company of other kids. The drawback for parents is a sense of guilt that it is not you that stays at home.

 

 

Why Daycare is the right fit for you and your child

 

 

Here is what you get with a quality daycare center. A quality daycare has trained staff, which means your baby is in the best pair of hands. Compare this with au pairs or nannies whose competence in child care you are not sure. Again, if you value your privacy, the best option is to go for a daycare center. Kids also learn socialization skills because they are always in the company of other kids. It is the better option.

 

 

Where to look for a quality daycare?

 

Finding the best daycare! Word of mouth is probably your best chance of finding the best daycare. You can reach out to friends, your colleagues at the workplace, your family and even your provider who have kids. Go online look at local schools and do your research. Look out for reviews online. Make a list and reach out to your top 3-5. Ask questions and schedule a time to visit the school and take a tour.

 

The Stork’s Nest Child Academy has multiple spots available at all three locations in Rhode Island. If you have any questions of would like to book a tour, you can visit our contact page, just click here and send us a request. We will get bak you ASAP. If you prefer you can call our main office at (401) 828-4567