| For many mothers, it seems that about the | | | | child will not receive as much personalized |
| time you get the hang of caring for your | | | | attention. |
| baby, it is time to return to work and hire | | | | |
| someone else to care for him during the day. | | | | The good news is that sickness and vacations |
| This can be a stressful process for many new | | | | will not affect your ability to leave your |
| mothers, since moms typically will think, "No | | | | child in his care setting, which means less |
| one will take good care of my baby the way | | | | days off of work for you. There are many |
| that I do." The good news is that by using a | | | | centers that will take good care of your |
| process in selecting the right day care for | | | | baby, and others that might not do such a |
| you and your child, you can greatly reduce | | | | good job, so it is important to shop |
| the amount of anxiety you feel in leaving him | | | | carefully when selecting a day care center. |
| with someone else while you go to work. | | | | |
| | | | Before settling on the center that you think |
| How to Choose a Day Care Center | | | | will take good care of your baby, visit a few |
| | | | in person to witness the staff and children |
| The first step in determining who will take | | | | in action. Determine that the environment is |
| good care of your baby is to decide whether | | | | safe and clean, and that the child to teacher |
| you prefer to hire a nanny to come into your | | | | ratio is low enough that every child gets |
| home, or to take your child to a day care | | | | sufficient attention. Ask about the |
| center every day. A nanny or home day care | | | | activities and schedule that are offered |
| provider has the advantage of offering | | | | throughout the day and make sure that the |
| one-on-one attention to your child, in the | | | | center is accredited with a national |
| comfort of your own home. | | | | organization. |
| | | | |
| The disadvantages to asking a nanny to take | | | | It is also a good idea to get familiar with |
| good care of your baby include that fact that | | | | the center's policies regarding how to teach |
| accountability is limited, since your child | | | | children, and what disciplinary measures are |
| and the nanny might be the only ones at home | | | | taken. These policies and philosophies should |
| during the day. The other drawback to a nanny | | | | be close to your own if the relationship |
| is that if she gets sick or goes out of town, | | | | between the two of you is going to work. |
| you do not have anyone else there to care for | | | | |
| your child. | | | | By taking the time to select a day care |
| | | | situation that you believe will take good |
| A day care center will provide plenty of | | | | care of your baby; you will greatly reduce |
| opportunity for your child to socialize with | | | | the anxiety involved with leaving your child |
| other children. This can also mean that your | | | | with someone else while you are at work. You |
| baby might get sick more often from the many | | | | can rest assured that your child will be |
| germs that can come into a center from all of | | | | receiving the best care while you are not |
| the other kids. It also indicates that your | | | | with him. |