by Suzanne Fort

Created on: January 17, 2009

Choosing a daycare for your child is very important. A parent is placing their precious children in another person's hands while they work, go to school, or do other things without their children. If a wrong decision is made, your child's health and safety could be at risk.

The first thing a parent must do is make sure the daycare center is licensed through the state they are in. This is important because at least they're being monitored by another agency in matters of health and safety. Along with making sure they're licensed, it's important to be sure that there are no complaints against this daycare center. If there are reports of complaints and they are unfounded, they could still be used as a red flag to other parents out there.

You need to call around and see who is accepting children for their daycare and what age range they'll accept. If you have an infant and the center only accepts school age students, it's best to know ahead of time. If you only need part-time care and if the daycare only wants full-time clients, it's best to find that out before you go to the daycare center.

When you make an appointment to go into a childcare center you need to use your senses. Use your nose to smell. If there is a smell of cigarettes, pets, urine, or other unpleasant smells, it is best to just cut your visit short and leave. There should never be cigarette smells. Pets should be in another part of the house and there should not be any smells of urine, feces, or anything else unpleasant.

Next, use your eyes. Is the daycare center clean? Do the children there look happy (if children are there)? Are fun and educational toys and books around? Are the children being engaged in fun activities? Do you see any potential dangers around (such as chemicals within reach of a child)?

A parent has an instinct sometimes about whether they feel okay with their child in a center. If a parent doesn't feel good about it (even if it looks and smells good), it is best to keep looking.

A parent needs to ask many questions at the center. A parent needs to ask about policies the daycare has. A parent should ask about the field trips that might be taken if any. A parent needs to know what kind of experience a daycare provider has. If a daycare provider has teaching experience it could benefit your child. A parent should know the prices of the daycare as well as the hours.

If you feel good about the daycare and feel that your child will be happy, healthy, and safe at the daycare, you need to then find out how your child feels about it. A parent shouldn't ask the child, but take the child with them as they're searching for a daycare. Does the child appear to feel as comfortable as expected? Does the daycare provider work to help the child feel accepted and cared for?

If you, your child, and the state childcare licensing department all feel like the daycare center is okay, take your child there with confidence that you did your research on the facility and that your child will be in good hands.

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