Mum’s the Word: 5 Steps for Finding the Right Childcare

Friday, August 07, 2015

Briauna Skye McKizzie, GoLocalPDX Contributor

It’s unlikely that the perfect babysitter will just show up on our doorstep, blown in by a kindly wind. Photo Credit: The Mary Poppins IMDB (Image Cropped)

Finding a daycare provider or a babysitter is one of the most stressful things in a parent’s life.

It’s such a well-known source of stress that the process of childcare hunting is the subject of many of our favorite childhood films, such as Sound of Music, Nanny McPhee, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, and the Cat in the Hat. Need I go on?

Figuring out simple logistical factors such as finding close and affordable childcare can create a significant amount of anxiety. After that, a parent must also mull over whether or not their child will be safe and happy while they are away.

Since it’s unlikely that the perfect babysitter will just show up on our doorstep, blown in by a kindly wind, here are some steps to help you navigate the murky waters of finding someone who will care for your kids just as well as you can.

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Related Slideshow: Mum’s the Word: 5 Steps for Finding the Right Childcare

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1. Plan Ahead

Try not to wait until the week before you need a new sitter or childcare provider to find someone. While it’s understandable to have to find a last-minute sitter due to something unexpected happening, both you and your child will feel a lot safer knowing that you have a provider that you’ve been getting to know for a while. Plan for the unexpected and interview new providers (this includes babysitters) before you need to call them.

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2. Investigate

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being overly cautious about who or what establishment will be watching over your child. So go ahead and get your Google on by researching reviews on daycare providers and ask for a list of the names of the teachers at the center. Meanwhile, if you’re thinking of getting a new nanny or sitter, make sure to ask for references and try and get to know them as a person before hiring them.

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3. Plan B

In regards to babysitters or nannies, never rely on one person to always be there for you. While shocking, your babysitter or nanny does have a personal life. Sometimes, they even have the audacity to catch a cold or virus. So be prepared by having a backup sitter. For me, having three people who my daughter enjoys being around works out nicely. I usually never have to cancel my plans, and I don’t have to worry about whether my daughter is comfortable while I’m away.

Photo Credit: Nana - Disney Wiki (Image Cropped)

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4. Baby Steps

With new sitters or daycare providers, it helps to have the first encounter be brief. So take your son or daughter to the center for only two or three hours the first time. Then, when it's time for your child to stay there for several hours or an entire day, it won’t seem as new or scary to him or her.

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5. Sharing is Caring

Even though the parent pays for the childcare, the person most affected by the childcare decision is the child. So share the decision with your child. Of course, use discretion in how much “say” Junior has in the decision.