Child Care Options to Consider

Ways to Access: The process of hiring a nanny can be lengthy and time-consuming, as it can take time to find an individual you trust to care for your child(ren) and invite into your home. [...] The best way to determine if a nanny is the right fit for your family is generally through an interview, where you can determine if the pedagogy, values, and personality of the nanny is in line with the type of caretaker you are seeking. [...] This arrangement also provides exposure to the culture of the au pair that you select, providing an enriching experience for your child culturally, and perhaps, lin- guistically. [...] If you have multiple children, you may find this to be an affordable option and it is typically more af- fordable than hiring a nanny who lives outside of your home. [...] These arrangements are often beneficial for families in multiple ways, in- cluding strengthening familial bonds and reinforcing cultural norms and language in a way that is not possible to replicate or support in other types of care arrangements. However, there may be some drawbacks to these arrangements as well. [...] The care provided can be structured to be in line with the beliefs and priorities of the participating families. The drawbacks for this type of care include a lack of accountability and supervision of the nanny and slightly less focus on each child if the group is larger. [...] This is a common option for families, and the location of the center often becomes an important part of the selection process. There are many ben- efits to this type of care, including access to trained professionals who can educate your child and support their development, with clear expectations of care established. [...] There are financial assistance options available through your state, county, or employer which may defray some of the expense of enrolling at a child care center for families who qualify. [...] Once you contact a program, there is also typically an enrolment process that involves completing documentation, a tour of the center, and meeting with administrators or educators. Many individuals prefer to get recommenda- tions from friends and family members who are satisfied with their child care arrangement. [...] But the price for before and after care may be lower than other arrangements, as it typically only encompasses a brief period of time.