As a new parent, the first months spent with your newborn are unforgettable. You basically spend just about every part of your day with them. However, as your little one ages and your leave of absence from work is soon coming to its end, the need to find a quality infant daycare becomes more and more important.

Leaving your little one in the hands of strangers is always something that can create stress and worry for parents, selecting the best daycare out of numerous options is a whole different challenge. If you are on the verge of starting your search for an infant daycare for your baby, fear not — the search for perfect childcare does not have to be a daunting task. As a matter of fact, in this blog, we want to share three quick and simple tips that will help you easily choose the best daycare for your little bundle of joy.

1. Create A List

The first step into finding the best infant daycare is to know what you are looking for. You want the very best for your baby, so don’t be afraid to set high expectations. Draft up a list of what your ideal child care center looks like. Think about what where you would feel comfortable leaving your child. There are numerous factors to keep in mind when deciding

• Location

How important is the location of a daycare to you? Whether or not the daycare is close to your home or home can have a significant impact. Typically the closer daycare facilities are to you, the more convenient. When searching for local daycares online, be sure to include the desired location in your search. For example, if you are searching for infant care in Fort Washington, Maryland, search ‘infant daycare in Fort Washington” to find the best nearby childcare centers.

• Budget

Finding the best daycare for your infant is crucial, but cost may also play a part in your final selection. You don’t want to be paying more for childcare than you are bringing in from your employment. But don’t worry, if budget is a concern, there are affordable daycare centers out there!

• • Staff-to-Child Ratio

  Do you prefer a smaller playgroup for your infant? If plenty of one-on-one attention and interaction from caregivers is something you are looking for, a childcare center with a small ‘class’ may the best choice. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to encourage interaction with other infants and children, you may prefer a slightly larger group.

  There are likely other important factors you want to add to your list, and that is fine! All parents have their own unique requirements for their little one. Take time to consider what you really want in a childcare center before beginning your search

  2. Research Daycare Options

  Once you have determined the important factors and daycare requirements for your baby, it’s time to really begin your search! Search online, ask friends, family, and co-workers for recommendations. Once you have a few in mind, spend some time on their website or reviews page — you will typically know right away whether the daycare will be a good choice or not. Once you’ve narrowed down the list, you can start reaching out to daycares and plan your visit.

  3. Schedule a Daycare Visit

  When You have considered a few infant daycares and know what you want in a childcare center and which centers meet your criteria. it’s time to pay a visit. If you can, bring your baby along. If you are hoping to have some one-on-one time to meet the caregivers, you may want to schedule an appointment with the daycare.

  While visiting, take the time to explore the facility and ask the teachers any questions you may have. Pay attention to the way they interact with the children. Observe the environment of the classrooms, does it feel safe, clean, and secure enough for your infant?

  Conclusion

  Finding the best infant daycare for your baby doesn’t have to be difficult. Take time to think about what you want. Do your research. Pick up the phone and call. Then, make an attempt to stop by and visit the center in person. Most importantly, trust your gut. If you feel good about a particular daycare, go with it. If you feel hesitant, keep searching.

  There are plenty of great daycare centers to choose from and you’ll be sure to find the perfect daycare by following these three simple steps.

  If you are in need of infant daycare in Fort Washington, contact Jaycees Early Learning Center today!