McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 2002.1

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For preliminary information about child care options, providers, and vacancies, consider:

• State Department of Social Services, Human Services, or Health (list of licensed day care homes)
• United Way (information and referral services)
• YMCA/YWCA
• Religious organizations
• Child development departments of local colleges
• School counselor (before and after school care)
• Your employer
• Telephone book ("Day Nurseries and Child Care")
• Junior League
• PTA
• Local child care council
• Pediatrician
• Newspaper/bulletin board ads
• Word-of-mouth (friends, relatives, other parents)

Check out a number of different child care arrangements and facilities by:

• Telephoning and asking about openings and admission requirements
• Meeting with the directors and staff or caregiver to discuss your expectations
• Spending an hour or two observing active and quiet activities at all facilities you are seriously considering (see the evaluation questions which follow)
• Talking with other parents from the facilities
• Above all, trusting your instincts

Conduct thorough interviews. There are a number of questions you can ask when considering different kinds of day care. Not all questions will apply to your child or day care situation. Most questions can be asked (or answered by observation) before you hire a child care provider; other questions will need to be evaluated after your child is in a particular day care arrangement for a while.

If possible, both parents should participate in the day care selection process. Your child should be present for at least some of the time during the interviews as well.