| Your child care network will affect your life, and | | | | Once you have chosen the type of daycare |
| that of your child, in many ways, making it | | | | provider that you prefer, you will need to |
| important to make the experience one that is | | | | familiarize yourself with the routine that the child |
| positive for everyone involved. Communication | | | | daycare centers use. For example, you may need |
| and preparation are both vital for making sure | | | | to be prepared with snacks and lunch for your |
| that your child has a great day at day care each | | | | child each day, or the center may provide these |
| and every day. | | | | for the children. Your provider will give you a list |
| Choosing Your Child Care Network | | | | of what you should, and shouldn’t, bring to |
| There are several important factors that you will | | | | day care each day. |
| want to consider when choosing childcare centers. | | | | Evaluating Your Child Care Network |
| The first is what type of day care provider you | | | | There are going to be pros and cons for each of |
| prefer. There are several types of day care | | | | the child care centers listed. For Montessori |
| centers, including the following: | | | | schools, for example, your child must be in grades |
| - Home Childcare Centers: These centers are | | | | one through six to attend. Additionally, when you |
| home based, and typically have one to two adults | | | | have a sick child you will often need to have a |
| with a limited number of children. Regulations for | | | | back up source of care, even if your child just |
| licensing, and home rules, will vary, so you may | | | | has a sniffle or a mild cough. In these cases, you |
| want to know what these entail in your specific | | | | may find that having a reliable home provider is a |
| state. Home childcare centers are required to be | | | | good option. |
| licensed, however. | | | | Additionally, there are some daycare centers that |
| - Montessori Day School: Montessori schools | | | | have very strict rules. In these cases, you may |
| typically have very small classrooms, which | | | | find it necessary to look for a center that is more |
| increases the amount of time and attention that | | | | flexible in their options. Don’t be afraid to |
| each child receives. The Montessori method is | | | | interview multiple providers to find the one that is |
| used in a classroom setting, and there is an | | | | a perfect fit for your family, and your schedule. |
| emphasis on creative and educational projects. | | | | Many parents who work the late shift, for |
| Montessori students pay a tuition rather than | | | | example, find that a home child care provider is a |
| traditional weekly payments. | | | | good choice because of their flexible scheduling. |
| - Traditional Daycare: These childcare centers | | | | Other parents prefer the more structured |
| often have multiple teachers and children of all | | | | approach of a Montessori day school, where |
| ages. You may find that the children are grouped | | | | education takes precedence. When you take the |
| by age, and that there are more teachers for | | | | time to choose carefully, you will find that it is |
| infant daycare than for older children. These child | | | | much easier to have a positive child care |
| care centers are regulated by the state, as well. | | | | experience. |