As the world slowly returns to normal, more and more caregivers are expected to return to working in their physical offices. This can understandably be stressful since the (almost) two years of Covid-19 had most of us working remotely which gave caregivers more flexibility and also allowed them to personally keep an eye on their little ones. However, if there are no adults within the immediate family who are able to commit to caring for your young child, then it is likely that you’ll have had to consider other child care services.

It can feel like a daunting task to try and find a suitable childcare service, and to a parent, the world can feel far too big and dangerous for their young child. Fortunately, however, there are a number of possible services that you can consider which actually require licenses to run, which means that you are assured a certain standard of care for your child. This can be comforting, since many of these services usually have experienced (and even professionally trained) staff on hand to ensure that your child is staying safe and healthy.

Not every neighborhood will have a huge variety of available childcare services, and every child’s and family’s needs can differ. Although it’s best to research what exactly your district offers or even ask for recommendations from your friends who may be in a similar situation, here are some common types of childcare services and the opportunities that they offer your child.

Family Child Care Homes
This child care service usually has a few adults taking care of a small group of children within a residential building like a house or apartment. They are generally willing to look after children in a variety of age ranges (from several weeks old to toddlers) although this varies from home to home. Some may have a structured program in order to help your child’s development, but others may choose to focus more on free play and allowing the child to explore and discover. It’s usually a small business with a large focus on providing a safe and home-like environment for the children.

This service may appeal to parents for a variety of reasons. Some parents are attracted to the home-like environment and small group size since it’s cosier and also tends to ensure that their child will get sufficient attention. Furthermore, because the staff size is usually quite small, that ensures a high degree of familiarity and trust between the parents and the staff. Additionally, because these are small businesses, they may sometimes be more flexible with their service’s hours which is ideal if the parent doesn’t work a traditional 9 to 5 job.

Daycare Centers
This child care service usually takes care of a larger number of children than a child care home. While this is dependent on the individual business, they are usually capable of taking care of children of a wide age range (from several weeks old to toddlers), but may separate them according to age so that they can interact with children of the same age group. While some daycare centers operate using a classroom like structure, others (like family care homes) have a heavier emphasis on free play and exploration. The focus of these centers is usually to encourage further social and emotional development in young children in a safe and caring environment. Additional goals may also include developing their cognitive capabilities by equipping young children with basic language skills and arithmetic skills.

This service can appeal to parents for many reasons. Many of these centers undergo regular health and safety inspections which ensures a safe and hygienic environment for young children. Additionally, since they have a larger staff (compared to family child care homes) this usually means that there will be more people around to ensure that your child remains safe. Furthermore, children are able to interact with many other children in their age group which gives them more chances to develop friendships and improve their emotional intelligence. Furthermore, some centers also have additional enrichment activities such as field trips or regular classes which can help to develop your child’s cognitive skills.

Preschools
This child care service provides a school-like environment for children to learn in order to prepare them for their next stage of education (kindergarten). Most of these schools will take in children from the ages two and up and will usually separate them into classes by age. Depending on the school, some will offer services year round and have full day programs, while others may not. Most have a structured curriculum aimed at equipping children with the knowledge and social skills that will be needed in kindergarten and learning is conducted in a classroom environment.

This service appeals to parents for numerous reasons. Many of these schools focus on school readiness and help to ease the transition to kindergarten. Furthermore, these schools also introduce many academic skills such as language, arithmetic and science. They also help to introduce children to important concepts such as classroom etiquette and following a fixed schedule in addition to developing social skills through interacting with their classmates.

Finding the right childcare service for your family may feel like a daunting task. However, it’s always worth it to do your research into your available options to find one that best suits your needs. So no matter what you choose, communicate often, don’t be shy and make sure to ask for a copy of the curriculum and the background of the staff. Most child care services will happily oblige!