Finding care for your infant or toddler can be a scary experience, especially for a first time parent. You may see this as your test for successfully juggling work and family. Becoming informed on how to choose quality care can make this task easier. Choosing a situation that meets your child’s needs as well as yours will assist in reducing the stress of leaving your child with a caregiver.
It is very important to find long-term arrangements for your child. Infants are forming strong attachments, the building blocks for future healthy relationships. Keeping the child care arrangements consistent can provide for a strong caregiver relationship and reduce stress and anxiety for baby and the entire family.
The first step is to locate options for the care of infants and toddlers in your community. The local child care resource and referral service in Gallatin County is: Child Care Connections (by telephone at 406-587-7786). This agency maintains information on types of childcare in the community and what openings are currently available. They also have brochures discussing quality childcare that can assist parents in making the decision about care.
When interviewing a prospective child care facility ask:
- Is the provider registered or licensed? In Montana all group and family day cares are required to be registered and centers are licensed.
- What hours and days is the facility open?
- What are the fees? When must they be paid?
- How many and what ages are the children cared for in the facility?
- What is the policy regarding sick children?
- Are nutritious meals and snacks provided?
- How much is the TV on? What programs do the children watch?
- Is the facility a clean, safe environment?
- Is there a safe outside play area?
- How will you discipline my child if she misbehaves?
- How will you encourage my child’s development?
- Does the provider appear to be warm and friendly and enjoy being with children?
- Does she treat each child as an individual?
- Does she have some understanding of children’s growth and development?
- Does the provider have attitudes and methods of guiding behavior and discipline with which you agree?
- Are there a variety of age appropriate toys?
- Does she take time to discuss your children with you regularly?
- Can children select toys on their own? Are materials neatly arranged and organized so children know what is available?
Once you have selected an arrangement, plan on slowly introducing your baby to the setting. Stay with your child for a couple of hours at the day care for the first few days to allow time to adjust to the surroundings. Check in unannounced ocassionally to see how things are going.
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