Finding Great Child Care??Help

[Luna]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has advice on finding child care? I Have called hospitals, training facilities, and have asked around. I am trying hard but I have either found nothing, or the person used is far away or they have offered to little but something. I have to possibly go back to work but this child care thing is proving scary and hard. I called a couple daycare facilities and most prices are to high for us and the one that isn't is full with a waiting list.

[Stephanie]

Start with the child care facilities around your home or work, where ever you want to leave baby. Call asking for availability, and then show up announced for a tour. I would try to get there around 5ish when people are picking there kids up, so you can talk the the parents. Ask questions, looks to see what kids are doing and what is smells like.

Ask friends, neighbors, and future co-workers who they use.

If at any time, your gut tells you no, leave. This is a case where it is a good idea to trust the mommy-dar.

[Winkie]

Get your name on the waiting list anyway, even if it seems insurmountably long. Much of the time, when a spot opens up, all the people on the waiting list have already found other arrangements.

That's how I got dd in her day care center. There was a list about a million names long, but when a spot opened up, no one needed day care anymore. I didn't even have my name on the list, I just cruised right in.

Also, ask around, make friends with someone who sends their kids to the daycare you want to attend...sometimes a little nepotism goes a long way.

[amynhailey]

I actually researched licensed home daycares b/c I only needed one day/week. Besides, they are normally cheaper than daycare centers. I looked in the newspaper under childcare and just started making calls and explaining what I was looking for. Those who said they would accommodate us, I made an appt to go out and meet them and see the home. I got lucky though- I ended up LOVING the first one I visited so much the others didn't even compare. My kids have been going there for 1.5 years now and we all love it!

The other option is to call the county where you live. They keep a list of homes they have licensed in your community. WHere I live, this is public record and I can look it up online or ask for a them for a copy of this list.