The decision to place an infant in daycare and select an infant daycare provider is a very delicate process parents. When parents are in the workplace, child care for infants is essential.
Many parents have legitimate concerns about their daycare options and question their decision to place such a young child in the care of others. Selecting infant care is a much more manageable process when parents are informed about their options.
Infant Daycare Options
Parents may select from among a variety of infant care options. Renowned parenting expert, Lonna Corder, believes that choosing a family member to care for your infant is the best option. Because Infant development is very rapid and vital, “the ideal situation for any baby is a parent to be home caring, loving, teaching and bonding with him. Hands down, my first choice for any child is to be with a family member. Grandmother, Aunt, any extended family member will provide love, support and nurturing days,” says Corder.
If this is not an option for you, do not fret. Aside from arranging for a relative to care for your child, you may also choose group care, family daycare, or hire a nanny to care for your children.
In-home childcare involves hiring a caregiver to take care of your children in your own home. Family daycare is provided by individual caregivers in their own homes, usually caring for a small number of children. Be advised that not all family daycare is licensed by local authorities.
The advantage to group daycare is that the staff that takes care of infants is usually trained and educated about infant development. In addition, group daycare which is outside of the home must be licensed and are monitored by the government. This includes private childcare centers, workplace childcare, cooperative childcare, nonprofit childcare, and chain centers.
Live in or Live out Nanny
Selecting a live-in or live-out nanny involves hiring a professional child care provider through an agency to live in your home to care for your infant. Another option is to hire a professional nanny to care for your infant in your home only during the hours you are at work.
Issues with Bonding
Many parents express concern about the most appropriate age to allow others to care for their infant. They may be anxious because they fear that returning to work too early will affect how they bond with their infant. Ashley Murphree is the owner of Carpe Diem Private Preschools, which has an excellent infant daycare program that is in extremely high demand. Murphree believes the earliest age to put an infant in daycare is 10-12 weeks.
For parents concerned with bonding issues, there are some things they can do to strengthen the bond between infant and parent. Silvana Clark, professional speaker and the author 101 Tips for Child Development Training: 101 Quick Tips for Managing a Preschool or Daycare [Totline Publications, 1996] provides a variety of ways to bond with your infant outside of daycare.
If your infant must be in childcare, do whatever possible to spend time with them. Clark suggests visiting your infant during lunch if possible. “In the evenings, take walks and play games with your child. Your baby needs interaction with their favorite toy…you! Put the baby in the snuggly while you clean. Read them books instead of sitting them in front of a video,” says Clark.
The most important thing when deciding upon daycare for your infant is to leave no stones unturned when asking questions of your daycare provider prospects. Ask the appropriate and important questions when interviewing your choice of daycare provider and do not stop until you are satisfied with the answers you receive.
