Choosing Day Care
If you are returning to work or school after you have your baby, chances are that finding day care is on the top of your to-do list. As a parent, it’s up to you to find a caregiver you trust who knows how you want your baby fed and taken care of while you’re away. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to choose and communicate with your day-care provider to make sure your little one stays safe and healthy.
Ask yourself a few questions:
- Do you want a day care close to home or close to work or school? If you are breastfeeding, having day care close to where you work can allow you to go during lunch to nurse your baby.
- Do you want childcare in a home or in a commercial day-care center?
- Do you prefer to have a friend or relative take care of your child? Free day care is great but may come with “strings attached” such as not having your wishes followed for feeding, sleep, screen time or smoking around the baby.
Check it out:
You can search for state-licensed day-care providers on the internet. Licensing requires providers to follow health and safety rules.
Visit a few day-care facilities — both home and commercial sites. Stay a while to observe:
- Do workers wash their hands thoroughly after changing diapers, wiping noses and before feeding time?
- Are there enough workers to give the children the attention they need?
- Are there smoke detectors, outlet covers, and childproof handles on cabinets and doors?
- Are there children there who seem sick? Ask what the policy is for illness.
- Are there TV or video screens on?
- Ask if they participate in the Child and Adult Food Care Food Program (CACFP). This national food program is available in licensed family day care homes, childcare centers and Head Start programs. The CACFP meal patterns ensure that nutritious foods are offered for breakfast, lunch, and either snack or supper. Child-care providers also receive training on infant care, menu planning, food safety and nutrition education.
- Ask to see their current license or letter from the most recent inspection.
When looking at day care in a home setting or with a friend or relative:
- Do people smoke inside the home? No one should smoke around babies or children. Third hand smoke can stick to clothes, furniture and walls and also hurt a baby’s health, even if no one actually smokes around the baby.
- Is there a TV or screen on for many hours? Even if educational, screen time can harm a baby’s language development.
- Is the house childproof? If not, will the provider be open to making it childproof?
- Are there pesticides used in the home? This can be dangerous for baby.
- Will your relative or friend be likely to follow your wishes about feeding, naptime and screen time?
- Are there pets in the home? If so, are they child-friendly?
What about feeding?
- Babies should be fed “on demand” rather than on a schedule and should not be encouraged to finish a bottle once they show signs they are full.
- Ask about how human milk is stored and warmed up. It should be heated in warm water — not in the microwave.
- Ask to see the weekly menu. Your baby is growing and will be eating table foods in less than a year!
It may not be easy to leave your baby, but soon you will both be used to the new routine. Remember that you do have control over how your baby is cared for when you are not around, especially if you make finding quality child care a top priority. 
