If you have to go back to work after having your baby, one of the most difficult and important decisions has to do with choosing the right daycare center or private sitter. Typically, parents do go back to work. Leaving a newborn baby in the care of another person is tough but if you do your homework and conduct in-depth research, you should have absolute confidence that your child is being properly cared for.
Choosing a good daycare center takes some time and effort on your end. For starters, you want to call around to local daycare centers in your area, conducting over the phone interviews. This process would allow you the opportunity to ask candid questions without feeling awkward. Although you can find some great options in the phone book, your local paper, or even through online resources, having a friend or family member who can make a referral is the best way to go. We suggest you set time aside to talk to and visit a minimum of four centers, although six would be great.
You need to trust your own judgment, especially first impressions. Parents have a natural intuition whereby they simply know when things don’t feel right. Yes, you would need to follow some guidelines when choosing a daycare center but it is also important to listen to your heart and gut. If something doesn’t feel right, move on. In addition to your own senses, pay attention to your child’s reaction. Keep in mind that while your newborn may be tiny, he or she is also very intuitive so if you notice your baby becoming fussy, fidgety, of just acting different, pay attention.
As you walk into the daycare, look around to see if staff members are working with the children, or are the children running around unsupervised? Is the daycare center clean or do you notice a foul odor and trash lying about? Does it appear the daycare is organized with eating area, play area, and nap area separate. Are babies just lying in cribs without being held? All of these and more are things you should observe before making your decision.
You also want to spend time asking questions. For instance, ask about the daycare center’s schedule, the types of activities, inquire about the number of adults versus babies, etc. Other things you want to find out about include where the babies sleep, making sure cribs meet safety standards. Then, ask about bedding and where it is stored (with other baby’s blankets, in individual plastic containers, etc), how often cribs are changed, the way in which babies are changed (adults sanitizing hands), and literally anything that comes to mind. Although you will probably not find a daycare provider that does things exactly like you, the goal is to find one as close as possible so your baby is safe and happy.