How to Choose the
Right Child Care
+ Strategies for
Separation Anxiety
BY ABBY QUELLEN
aybe you’re dreading your child’s first day in
someone else’s care. Or maybe you’re excited to
interview nannies or check out child-care facili-
ties. Either way, finding someone to care for your child can
be stressful. Kids’ brains grow rapidly during the early child-
hood years, and childhood experiences set the foundation for
future learning. Thus, high-quality child care is important.

The majority of families must also consider affordability and
ease of access.

However, child care can be expensive. And it’s not always
easy to get exceptional care. But, with the right tools, you
can find just the right high-quality child care that provides
opportunities and exploration for your
child. Read on to learn about your vari-
ous options and how to evaluate them.

Then, discover strategies to help make
the transition to child care easier for
your child — and you.

Plan and Prioritize
If you want to find affordable,
high-quality child-care, it’s best to
start early. Before you begin your
search, decide what’s most import-
ant to you in a child care provider.

Do you most value one-on-one atten-
tion? Opportunities for socialization?
Outdoor play? Healthy meals? You may
not find everything you want in a pro-
vider or facility, but you’re likely to
find what’s most important if you’re
clear on what it is.

26 Washington FAMILY
NOVEMBER 2019
Evaluate Your Options
Do you have a relative who’s willing to provide care? This
option is favored by many families. Relatives tend to offer
affordable and flexible care and provide the attachment bond
and individualized interaction shown to be advantageous for
very small children. However, the option is obviously not
available for all families.

In-home care, such as a nanny or au pair, offers many of
the same advantages, including flexible hours, individual-
ized attention and the ease and security of having your child
stay in the home. But be sure to calculate all of the expenses,
including taxes and sick and vaca-
tion leave for the caregiver. And be
prepared to take on the responsibil-
ity of being an employer. Depending
on how you hire your nanny, you may
need to do interviews and background
checks and draw up a detailed con-
tract that spells out your expectations
and policies.

If a relative or in-home care pro-
vider isn’t right for you, it’s time to
investigate day-care facilities and
home day cares, which usually accept
children from 6 weeks to 6 years of
age. They offer children the oppor-
tunity to play together and socialize,
and many offer educational curric-
ula, meals, field trips and other perks.

Ask around for recommendations
and do your own tours, interviews
and evaluations.

With the right
tools, you can
find just the right
high-quality child
care that provides
opportunities and exploration
for your child.