Childcare is about child development, as well as allowing you to work or go to school.
If you want child care in your home:
- Check certifications, references, and do a criminal record check.
- Conduct interviews in your home and observe how the caregiver interacts with your child.
If you are selecting child care outside of your home:
- Tour the daycare or home care centre.
- Ask to see the caregiver’s license and certifications.
- Ensure the caregiver-to-child ratio is low. Ideally, infants and toddlers are best cared for when there is one caregiver for every four children.
Finding a babysitter:
- Ask friends, relatives, and neighbours for referrals.
- Check with local high schools, child care referral agencies, recreation centres that offer babysitting classes, and senior citizen centres.
For all child care:
- Ask how the caregiver will provide an enriching environment for your baby.
- Discuss the caregiver’s discipline approach.
- Talk about nutrition and arrangements for providing breast milk for your baby.
- Ensure the caregiver has infant/child first aid training and emergency contact information.
When selecting child care or a babysitter for your baby, always trust your instincts. If you feel suspicious or uncomfortable with a caregiver or daycare centre, continue your search.