The Brain Injury Guide

Finding good, quality child care near you is not a simple task. The options seem almost limitless, but it’s hard to figure out where to start.

Here, we’ll show you the answer to your question, “how do I find child care near me?”

1. Interview, Interview, Interview

Your first instinct is probably to start doing Google searches to see what’s available for child care in your area. This is a good plan.

Type in “find child care near me” and see what options populate in the search results. Jot down the first five or six you see that have the highest (and most) ratings available.

Then start making calls. Ask each location when you can come in for a visit and see what they have to offer. Have interview questions ready, and treat this exactly like you would hiring an employee.

After looking around, sit down with the administrator and ask your specific questions.

Some examples of questions may include:

• What is your overall philosophy on child care?
• What is your caregiver to child ratio?
• What are the minimum degrees or certifications required to be a caregiver in this facility?
• How often are toys and other items sanitized?
• Do you offer daily or weekly reports on behavior and activity?

Ask the same questions at each facility visit, and keep detailed notes of each one.

2. Ask Friends For Recommendations

Your friends or family members can provide a wealth of knowledge about child care facilities they’ve used in the past.

If you don’t have time to talk to them all face-to-face about your inquiry, consider putting a simple social media post out asking for recommendations and why their options are good ones.

For those individuals that give solid recommendations to certain facilities, direct message them and ask if they can give you more details. Also, inquire about who you can talk to at the child care location that can answer the questions you have before making a decision.

3. Consider an At-Home Child Care Environment

At-home child care environments tend to be more intimate settings where your child will get more one-on-one time with the caregiver.

You’ll want to look at at-home caregivers that have a safe, welcoming environment and have around five children currently under their care.

Of course, get several references and make the calls to discuss what the parents’ experiences have been like. Listen intently for any red flags before making your final decision.

4. Hire a Nanny

If your budget allows for it, consider hiring a trusted nanny to stay with your child at home while you’re away at work. This is typically the most costly option but often is the best.

Your child can get one-on-one care and attention without ever leaving your home.

It’s Time to Find Child Care Near Me

Now that you’re prepared to head out and find that perfect child care provider, it’s time to get after it.Good luck in your search!