Day Care: What to Think About Before Choosing an In-Home Provider

If you have chosen to place your kids at an in-home day care, you are likely now wondering which one to choose. This important decision should not go without careful consideration. You need to know what to look for in this type of provider before committing to one, since hopefully your child will like it enough to continue going for a while.

Of course, one of the first things on most people's minds is cost. You should get several quotes from providers near you before you make the decision. The cheapest is not always the best choice since it could indicate poor quality; but on the other hand, do not be afraid to send your child to a place that does not cost a lot. Saving money on a day care does not mean that you do not care about the quality, since after all; you do not want to be unable to provide a roof over your family's head after paying for this service.

Cost should be just one consideration, as it is just one part of the overall decision. You should meet with the provider before officially committing to using him or her. Take your child with you to check out the home and make sure both of you are comfortable with the situation. If your son or daughter does not like the environment, or feels uncomfortable, it may be difficult to take him or her there everyday while you work. A little apprehension in a new place is fine, but an extreme reaction from your kid could be a hint that they do not feel comfortable there, and there could be a reason you are not considering.

Of course, safety is also an issue. When you visit the day care, check to make sure there are no glaring risks, such as large dogs that are free to roam the house, a pool without a fence, or electrical sockets that are not covered. The safety measures that you need will of course depend on your child's age, but there are some things that are not safe no matter the age of the children around.

Many providers offer a risk-free period in which you can send your kids for a day for free to make sure they like it. You can also sometimes pay for a week of service without signing any sort of contract, and then if your children do not like it there, they do not have to return. This kind of deal can help you feel as comfortable as possible when choosing a day care.