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secure for your child/ren:
Assess the Types of Childcare Available: What type of childcare best suits your family? Is the cost of a
nanny realistic? Will an Au pair leave you without privacy? Does your work schedule co-inside with scheduled daycare
pick-up times? Are you flexible enough for a nanny-share? Are you willing to be part of a babysitting co-operative?
Would your family benefit from the introduction of a new language in your household? Focus on your financial,
temporal, and personal strengths and limitations prior to delving into involved research and interviews. Identifying basic
parameters - such as schedule and budget - prior to starting your search will save you time and frustration.
Do Your Research: Once you've honed in on the type of childcare that best suits your family (daycare vs.
nanny-share vs. baby-sitting co-op, etc.) search newspapers, local magazines, the Internet, list-serves, and bulletin
boards of your local library and places of worship for viable candidates. Also seek out recommendations from
people you know and respect. Some places to start your search include: www.dcnanny.com; www.daycareindc.com,
www.dcurbanmom.com; www.whitehousenannies.com, www.nanniesandmore.com, www.sittercity.com, and
washingtondc.craigslist.org/kid/.
Interview, Interview, Interview: Since your goal is to feel comfortable entrusting your precious little one/s in
another's care, an in-person interview is a must. There is no better way to gauge personality compatibility, ease of
interpersonal communication , or parent-caregiver and child-caregiver interaction. It is rare that the first daycare you
visit or nanny you interview will be the one you choose, so be prepared to interview a dozen or more candidates if
necessary.
Observer Your Child/ren and the Provider/s in the Place of Care: Whether in your home, at a neighbor's,
or at a daycare facility, all parents should require an observational opportunity prior to committing to care. Some
form of compensation of the provider should be provided. If you are short on money, invite a provider over for dinner
or a weekend picnic with the kids.
Trust Your Instincts: Listen to what your mind, body, and "sixth sense" is telling you when encountering a
potential provider. You shouldn't have to talk yourself into liking someone. If you are indifferent and need some time
to come to a more informed judgement, spend more time with the person/s until you are certain of your impression.
Check References Thoroughly: This is a given for most people. Be sure to secure positive recommendations
from two or more individuals before considering a candidate. Prepare a list of questions for and speak at length with
each reference. Be sure to ask about the parent's work schedule, routine, care preferences, household
issues/chores, reason for termination or relationship, daycare parking, staff to child ratio, health of provider, legal
status, etc.
Be Realistic: While Mary Poppins or Maria's Von Trapp (Sound of Music) and Figueroa Rodriguez (Sesame
Street) are Hollywood ideals, they are not real people. Attempting to model your childcare provider after a
combination of your grandmother, favorite aunt, and magical fairy godmother could leave you frustrated and at a
dead-end. Keep in mind what traits are most important to you - family fit, enrichment activities, child to caregiver ratio,
personality, schedule, cost, etc., and prioritize them as such. If you can match four out of five, you are doing pretty
well. With respect to interpersonal relations, understand that everyone has their quirks - including you! No matter how
happy you are with the type of care your child receives, it always takes time to adapt to a new person or set of people
in your life.