one

Make a Chart

You can copy the one I made on Canva here, or make your own.

two

Gather Info

Talk to everyone you know who has children or knows child care. Look on the internet. Find a child care resource and referral agency in your area. Learn about licensing and other forms of ratings or accreditation in your area.

three

Calls

Make as many calls as you can. Fill in as much of the chart as you can. Include not-for-profit programs, center programs and/or regulated family child care programs

four

Visits

Do the first visit without your child present. Gather any information you haven't gotten already. Plan to spend time asking questions. Be sure to ask where and when children sleep, what food is available, how teachers communicate with parents, and the hours of operation. Also, spend some quiet time observing.

How does this place make you feel? If you had the time, could you spend all day here?

Choose a child with a similar temperament to your child. See how they get treated and what their experiences are like.

Add any information you gather to your chart

Visit one more time with your child and watch their reaction to the situation. It's best not to let them make the choice, though. That's your job.

Now your work is over and all that's left is the decision. Use your chart and your heart to make your final decision.

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Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, parent, grandparent, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY!  She studied early childhood education at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in

2010. She's presented at national and state early childhood conferences. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.