by Deb Bruemmer

Created on: April 22, 2009   Last Updated: April 24, 2009

Finding quality child care isn't always easy, especially if you are working non-traditional hours. The first thing that I recommend is to contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Center. These are free services for parents and are non-profit agencies funded in various ways. You can find them in the yellow pages or go to www.childcareaware.com and locate them by your city or zip code. A parent counselor can help answer your questions and concerns, give you helpful tips and tools for your search, and find matches for you according to your specific needs. They might ask you things like do you need care near home or work? Are you looking for evening or weekend hours? What are the ages of your children? Do your children have any special needs? Do you need someone to transport the children to or from school? They may also offer other alternatives that you were unaware of like family home care providers that do care in their home as their own business. Families tend to be more flexible than centers and may be able to negotiate with you to meet both your needs.

Talk with the referral service about the legal responsibilities providers have in your state. Where can I find out the rules and regulations of a center? Who can offer child care in their home? How many children are they allowed to keep? How can I check up on a center before I choose it? Are providers regulated in any way and by whom? Who do I talk to if I suspect there is a problem? What's the difference between being certified and licensed? What questions should I be asking when I am interviewing a provider? Are there any financial subsidies or scholarships in my area to help parents pay for child care? How do I know if I qualify? How much should I expect to pay for child care?

If you are still at a loss for options, its time to get creative. Check with the local schools. Secretaries often keep lists of local families offering child care. Ask around at any community events or churches you may be involved with. Using other parents experiences as a reference can tell you a lot about whether you are interested in a certain provider. Check bulletin boards and newsletters from various communities and pools. Join a parent play group; getting involved in your community can often lead to unexpected finds. Commit with other parents to trade off watching their children when they are in need by starting a parent co-op. Do not be afraid of asking lots of questions. Hiring someone to take care of your most precious commodity should be an involved process.

It is your responsibility as the parent to work at the process of finding a safe and healthy environment to leave your child. Remember, ask a lot of questions. Do your homework. Go with your gut instinct to determine if a provider is right for your child.

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