Infant and toddler care can be difficult to find due to the high demand for care and small group sizes.  For a child care center you may need to begin your search for infant care from the time you learn you are pregnant or scheduled for adoption.  It is not uncommon for child care centers to have long waiting lists for infant care.  Family providers typically fill infant openings as they arise, so it is a good idea to look for family child care four to six months before you need care.

To help you select the right child care for your child it is important to consider several factors:

1. Location:  It’s important to consider if you want your provider to be near home, work or along your route to work or school.  For school-age children it is typically best to find a provider in your neighborhood/school district so that there is transportation to and from school.  For younger children, you may want a provider near home so your child does not have a long commute to and from your work each day.  Keep in mind that some areas of the county have a greater supply of care than others and you may need to be flexible.

2. Cost:  Child care providers are individual contractors and can set their own fees.  If you have financial need, you may want to look into Child Care Subsidy Programs to supplement the cost of care.  Contact 240-777-1155  for more information on child care subsidy programs.

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3. Your child’s needs:  Think carefully about your child’s needs and what environment would be best for your child.  Ask yourself:  Will my child do best in a large group with a lot of activity or in a small group?  Would my child benefit from having one provider vs. a group of teachers in his life each day?  Does he/she bond easily?  Does he/she need a lot of room to run around each day? Is he/she toilet trained?

4. Your schedule:  If you have a rotating, late or weekend schedule it is important to find a provider who offers a flexible schedule. Be sure to ask about late fees, hours and early drop off and late pick up schedules.

5. The quality of the program:  It is important to find a provider that meets your child’s needs throughout his/her growth and development.  If you are interested in your child having a program that supports school readiness it is important to ask the provider about her daily schedule.  A quality program should have a daily schedule that allows for indoor and outdoor play, individual play, group activities and a nap time if appropriate.  Look for a schedule that includes art, music, reading, dramatic play as well as fine and gross motor activities.

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6.  Child development:  As your child grows and develops physically and emotionally many changes occur. You will want to choose a form of child care that will meet your child's developmental needs. To learn about child development you can:

         • Talk with your pediatrician

         • Attend seminars or workshops in your community

         • Read books by experts in the field of child development

         • Research child development information online

         • Talk with other parents

                   • Talk with your child care provider

When making a child care decision, look for the best match for your child's developmental needs:

Infants need lots of cuddling, eye contact, and one-on-one attention. Signs of quality infant care programs include: a high provider-to-child ratio (usually one provider to three infants in group care), special crawling spaces for infants, sturdy and safe infant toys, infants held and snuggled during feeding time and providers spending most of their time playing with and nurturing the infants.

Toddlers are eager to explore the world and assert themselves, while still needing comfort, reassurance, and loving care from a provider. Quality toddler programs offer: sensory materials for exploration (water table, sand), physical activity (climbing, jumping), hands-on experiences, story times, music, and movement activities and a language-rich environment.

Preschoolers are focused on developing friendships with peers, understanding their families and the world around them, and developing many new skills. A quality preschool child care program offers: a wide range of activities, including art, music, science exploration; activities designed to strengthen physical movement and hand-eye coordination; encouragement of "pro-social" behaviors such as sharing and taking turns; and non pressure "academic" activities (such as early reading and writing activities).

A School-age child will have some strong interests (e.g., arts, music, sports, reading, or science). A quality school-age care program encourages your child to pursue those interests, while exposing the child to new experiences and activities in a fun and non pressure way. School-age children should have plenty of social time with peers and they need time and quiet space for doing homework, as well.

          Regardless of your child's level of development, you will want

          to choose a program that seems suited to your child’s needs and a

          provider that genuinely enjoys working with children of your child's

          age group. Whether you choose a cozy family child care home or

          a large, well-run child care center, you can select the program 

          that will best meet your child's developmental needs and help your

          child to grow in a loving, safe, and stimulating environment. Be

          sure the provider you select has an approach compatible with your

          own on issues such as discipline and toilet training.

          For more information on child development go to:

          www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/child

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