Childcare Decisions for New Moms

In-home care, or out?

Arranging childcare can be a daunting task. There are many decisions you must make in selecting someone to care for your baby. Of course, you want to pick the best environment and caregiver for your child. The best way to do that is to know what your options are before you begin.

There are many choices when it comes to childcare. Any situation could be right for you, but you must first examine your needs and the needs of your child before you can decide which one to pursue. Below is a discussion of various types of childcare situations. Your options for childcare include in-your-home care by a family relative, in-your-home care by a nonrelative, care in a caregiver's home and a childcare center

In-Home Care
You may decide on in-home care, either by a relative or nonrelative. Having someone come to your home to take care of your child is usually very easy. You don't have to get the baby ready before you go in the morning, and you never have to take your child out in bad weather. It also takes less time in the morning and evening if you don't have to drop off or to pick up your baby.

In-home care is an excellent choice for a baby or small child because it provides one-to-one attention if you only have one child at home. The environment is also familiar to the child.

When the caregiver is a relative, such as a grandparent, an aunt or someone else in the family, you may find it more challenging than you anticipated. It may be more difficult to maintain your relationship with your caregiver while asking or telling him or her to do things the way you want them done.

When the caregiver is a nonrelative, you may find it very expensive to have this person come to your home. You are also hiring someone you do not know to come into your home and tend your child. You must be diligent in asking for references and checking them out thoroughly.

One drawback to having in-home care is the isolation your child may feel as she grows older. Children need to interact with other children so they can learn to share and to play together. While in-home care can be an excellent choice for your baby, as she gets older you may have to make special arrangements to create opportunities for your child to be with other children.

Care in a Caregiver's Home
Taking your child to someone else's home is an option that many parents choose. Often these homes have small group sizes that offer more flexibility for parents, such as keeping the child longer on a day when you have a late meeting you cannot avoid. A homelike setting will make your child feel comfortable, and she may receive lots of attention. In addition, she may get plenty of interaction with peers if the home also cares for other children.

However, home daycare situations are not regulated in every state, so you must check out each situation very carefully. Contact your state's Department of Social Services, and ask about legal requirements. In some places, local agencies oversee caregivers who are members of their organization. Those who provide care must abide by certain standards, such as the maximum number of children allowed in the home (including their own) and the maximum fees they may charge. They must also be certified in CPR and first-aid.

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