Any mother, whether single or married, should plan ahead and know her childcare alternatives. Take advantage of this time to do your legwork and make the best choice for you and your baby. You can begin now!
Start by assessing your needs and researching your options. Pay attention not just to the quality of care offered by each option, but to your comfort level and personal preferences.
Ask for referrals. Visit daycare centers at different times of the day, and watch the children and their interactions with caregivers. Speak to other parents with kids in that center. Try to imagine your baby spending time in each of the settings.
It's never too early to start. Many daycare centers have a waiting list and some nannies and sitters may know in advance when they'll be available for new work, thanks to a position ending. Most important: Trust your instincts!
Natalie Gahrmann
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As a former nanny, I found that most parents prefered to know at least a month before they had the baby. If not sooner. That way they had a back-up when the time came if it had to come down to that!
Hi Natalie,
Well depending on how much time you have already spent doing so, you want to start narrowing your choice down to 2 or 3 down to 1. Depending when you plan on going back to work, now is better than later, because there could be a waiting list for babies also depending on how many babies they can take in. So now is the time to start making your final descission. Once again, if you are planning to return to work, then now is the time to make sure your child has a secure spot.