One of the biggest struggles of being a working parent is figuring out how to care for your child in the best way possible while still providing for them. For some parents, this means entrusting their children to a daycare center. But before you can go on your merry way and feel comfortable with your child in the care of someone else, is the question of how to choose a daycare center.
Almost 11 million children across the United States are placed into some form of child care arrangement every week. Most of those children are under five, but there is a significant number of children over that age in daycare. Finding a daycare that meets your child’s needs and is trustworthy with their care is certainly a daunting task for any parent, but there are a few things you need to ask yourself before you pick a company for childcare resources.
First, where do you want your child in relation to your workplace? In almost every case, parents want their children close in case of an emergency. If this is your number one priority, you may want to consider employer sponsored childcare. Employer sponsored daycare centers are on-site facilities that are either sponsored or subsidized by companies, generally for the use of their employees. These childcare facilities will often find activities for children in the workplace, as well as allow parents to see their children during the work day.
If money is your number one concern, then employer sponsored daycare may still be the best option available to you! Not only does this take some of the anxiety away from the situation, but it can also be financially beneficial to parents. In most cases, employers will subsidize the cost of the daycare facility and help parents cover the cost of the childcare.
In the end, the question of how to choose a daycare center really depends on how close you want your child, and how much money you want to spend on childcare services. Of course you should trust your childcare provider like you’d trust yourself to take care of your child, so don’t go for the easiest option right away! Research is your friend, especially when it comes to choosing a daycare center. Don’t wait to look into all of the options available to you!