Choosing the right person or people to take care of your baby while you’re away can seem like a daunting task. But if you do your homework, ask the right questions and trust your instincts, you may just end up adding some really wonderful people into your baby’s life.
This finding childcare guide gives you an overview of some typical infant childcare options:
A caregiver who takes care of your baby in your own home.
Nanny Pros
Your baby is in a familiar surrounding
Works around your schedule
May be more one-on-one attention
Baby will be less exposed to other children's illnesses
If your child gets sick, your nanny will care for him
Nanny Cons
May be expensive
You'll need a backup in case the nanny gets sick or goes on vacation
Nannies are not required to be licensed, or have formal childcare education
No one else around to make observations
Nanny Need-to-Knows
Go with your gut during the interview process
Find out her ideas about discipline, personal hygiene and safety, as well as her personal beliefs; write down your questions before the interview
Look for someone whose philosophies match or complement your own
Have him/her play with your child to see how they get along and interact; see if he/she joins in the play or merely observes
Ask if he/she is CPR and First Aid certified
Get references, and check them
Background check
Find out if he/she drives and if so, check out his/her driving record
Set parameters for visitors, phone calls, and outings
Agree to a daily or hourly rate plus overtime and nail down your vacation policy
Make it clear if you expect them to do light housework or grocery shopping as well
Leave a list of all emergency contacts, including 911 and the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), along with your pediatrician's name and number, and the number of a close neighbor in case of emergency; plus your cell number, of course
Be sure your nanny has your home address and telephone number in case she needs to call 911
Write down your baby's name, age, known medical conditions and allergies, plus info on medications he may be taking
Point out your First Aid kit and fire extinguishers in the house
Have the nanny spend some time with your baby before you go back to work
A young person, generally from a foreign country, who provides infant childcare in exchange for room and board and usually a small stipend. Au pair selection works through an au pair agency. There are also fees involved with selecting an au pair.
Au Pair Pros
One-on-one attention
Familiar environment for baby
Baby will be less exposed to other children's illnesses than at day care
If your child gets sick, your au pair will care for him
Cultural enrichment for the whole family
Family-like atmosphere
Candidates are pre-screened by the agency
Au Pair Cons
Au pairs only stay for a pre-selected amount of time, usually one year
They generally work no more than 25 hours/week
Not right if you're uncomfortable with live-in help
Au Pair Need-to-Knows
Learn about au pair agencies and their program options
Some au pairs have childcare education, some don't; ask for what you want
Go with your gut during the interview process
Find out each au pair's ideas about discipline, personal hygiene and safety, as well as her personal beliefs; write down your questions before the interview
Look for someone whose philosophies match or complement your own
Have him/her play with your child to see how they get along and interact; see if he/she joins in the play or merely observes
Ask if he/she is CPR and First Aid certified
Get references, and check them
Background check
Find out if he/she drives and if so, check out his/her driving record
Set parameters for visitors, phone calls, and outings
Make sure you clearly understand the agency's policies on hours, vacations and sick time
Make it clear if you expect them to do light housework or grocery shopping as well
Leave a list of all emergency contacts, including 911 and the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), along with your pediatrician's name and number and the number of a close neighbor in case of emergency; plus your cell number, of course
Be sure your au pair has your home address and telephone number in case she needs to call 911
Write down your baby's name, age, known medical conditions and allergies, plus info on medications he may be taking
Point out your First Aid kit and fire extinguishers in the house.
Have the au pair spend some time with your baby before you go back to work
A caregiver who watches a number of children in her own home.
Family Childcare Pros
Can be a loving, home-like environment
Offers social interaction
Usually less expensive than day care or in-home care
Family Childcare Cons
Is probably not accredited
Most likely doesn't adhere to set rules about teacher-to-child ratios
Quality of care can vary
Family Childcare Need-to-Knows
How do the caregivers interact with your child?
Make sure they are registered with the state
Get references, and check them
Background check
Tour the home, and ask for references from other parents
Find out if he/she drives and if so, check out his/her driving record
Does she take the children in her own car?
Ask about ratios, daily activities, if they keep daily sheets of your child's activities and when they get outside playtime
Ask about their philosophies on development, discipline and hygiene
Find out about their sickness policy and inclement weather policy, as well as holidays, vacations, hours and late fees
Are there other people in the home during the day?
What happens when the caregiver is sick?
Leave a list of all emergency contacts, including 911 and the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), along with your pediatrician's name and number and the number of a close neighbor in case of emergency; plus your cell number, of course.
Be sure your caregiver has your home address and telephone numbers in case she needs to call 911
Write down your baby's name, age, known medical conditions and allergies, plus info on medications he may be taking
Make sure they know what to do if the baby is choking or stops breathing
A grandparent, relative or friend watches your child in your home or theirs.
Family Member Pros
You and our baby know them
Inexpensive
Convenient
Family Member Cons
You may not be able to ask things of a family member that you could of a paid caregiver
Payment (or not) may be a sticky situation
Family Member Need-to-Knows
Make your opinions clear on daily activities, schedules, development strategies and discipline style
Ask them to record their daily activities, feedings, bowel movements and major developments
Have a contract so there are no surprise expectations
Leave a list of all emergency contacts, including 911 and the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), along with your pediatrician's name and number and the number of a close neighbor in case of emergency; plus your cell number, of course.
Be sure your family member has your home address and telephone number in case she needs to call 911
Write down your baby's name, age, known medical conditions and allergies, plus info on medications he may be taking
Make sure your family member knows what to do if the baby is choking or stops breathing
Someone who provides infant childcare occasionally while you run an errand or go out to a movie. Babysitters are usually high-school or college students, and are generally not trained beyond taking a babysitting course or having younger siblings.
Babysitter Pros
Inexpensive
Willing to work for an hour or two at a time
Babysitter Cons
Often not that experienced in dealing with infants
Babysitters don't need to pass any tests or register with an agency
Babysitter Need-to-Knows
Ask friends for recommendations of sitters, or look around town or near a college for signs
Interview the person thoroughly
Ask for references
Check their driver's licenses
Set parameters for visitors, phone calls and outings
Ask if your sitter is CPR trained or has taken an American Red Cross Babysitter's Training Course
If not, pay for them to take it
Leave a list of all emergency contacts, including 911 and the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), along with your pediatrician's name and number and the number of a close neighbor in case of emergency; plus your cell number, of course
Be sure your sitter has your home address and telephone number in case she needs to call 911
Write down your baby's name, age, known medical conditions and allergies, plus info on medications he may be taking
Point out your First Aid kit and fire extinguishers in the house
Make sure your sitter knows what to do if the baby is choking or stops breathing
Explore Enfamil Family Beginnings® for More Baby Tips
As with most things, practice makes perfect—and rest assured, you’ll get plenty of diaper-changing practice those first couple of years. In no time you’ll be a pro and be able to tackle your baby’s diaper with confidence. For more tips and resources on all things baby, including nutrition and feeding, be sure to join Enfamil Family Beginnings®. Enjoy up to $400 in savings, plus exclusive rewards, support, and surprises.
All information on Enfamil, including but not limited to information about health, medical conditions, and nutrition, is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for a healthcare professional's medical identification, advice, or management for specific medical conditions. You should seek medical care and consult your doctor or pediatrician for any specific health or nutrition issues. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment, care, or help because of information you have read on Enfamil.
.png&w=3840&q=75)
