Finding infant care can feel daunting. You have spent most of your infant’s life by their side, and the thought of sending them to daycare can be nerve-wracking. While many parents start to research daycares before their child is even born due to long waitlists, knowing the right questions to ask and things to consider when looking into infant care is imperative.
Things to Consider When Planning Care for Your Infant
- Naptime practices
- Curriculum
- Cleanliness
- Schedule
- Ratio
- Licensing
- Your gut
Health and Safety Practices During Naptime
The safety of your infant should always come first. As you research different infant care options, look over their safety policy. They should be open to providing you with that information and answering any questions you may have.
Following safe sleep recommendations is at the top of our list. Following proper safe sleep practices reduces the risk of SIDS. Ask how the babies are put to bed, what is allowed in the cribs, and how they are monitored during naptime.
What is the Infant Curriculum?
We know this one probably sounds silly, but infant care should include a curriculum! Babies’ minds are like sponges as they grow, and their brains are constantly developing. Curriculum for infants can include predictable environments, promoting motor skills and sensory interaction, providing interactive play, and encouraging curiosity.
Check the Cleanliness
Cleanliness is something you can easily observe when touring a daycare. Facility cleanliness is imperative when choosing infant care. Your kid will put things in their mouths, crawl around, interact with other children, and eventually share items.
While germs are inevitable, knowing that proper cleaning and sanitation is happening with the toys, throughout the classrooms, and in communal spaces will provide added peace of mind that your infant is being taken care of in a clean and safe environment.
Will They Follow Your Schedule?
This is an important one for many parents. While many daycares follow a schedule, it’s not always clear if they follow your schedule. If you are looking for infant care where the schedule you created for you and your infant is rigorously followed, make sure to ask and do your research and explain what that schedule is and your expectations.
What’s the Caregiver/Infant Ratio?
Another major point to look into is the infant to caregiver ratio. The standard ratio for infant care is one adult to three infants. This allows your infant to get the attention they need and ensure they won’t be neglected due to lack of staff. If your infant is prone to meltdowns, it’s essential to know that there will be adequate staff to handle that.
Look into Licensing and Certifications
Your state has vetted and approved an accredited and licensed infant program. In addition, they make sure infant programs are following proper health and safety guidelines, buildings are up to code, and that they have adequate staff, to name a few.
Trust Your Gut
We believe in trusting your gut while following up on all of the above. If you don’t get a good feeling about a daycare you visited, you felt that way for a reason. Only you know what’s best for you and your infant so pay attention to how you feel!
While you may have a list of other things you want to discuss, these are at the top of our list! Don’t forget that you are in the driver’s seat, so take your time, do your research, trust your gut, and take a deep breath!