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Truth be told, I’m the last person who wanted to put her child in daycare. When my son was born, we had a full-time nanny. When he was 18 months old, we found ourselves needing a new child care arrangement, and my husband suggested daycare so our son would have more socialization and learning activities. I started researching daycares (on NPN’s forum, of course), and we chose a referral. My son’s first few weeks in daycare were a transition—more for me than him—but he quickly became comfortable in his new classroom. Some days, he didn’t even want to go home. As months went by, I noticed daycare was having a positive effect on him—and us. Here are seven ways daycare has changed our lives for the better. [Related: What to look for in a childcare center or daycare] Socialization My son didn’t have a sibling when he started, so daycare has been an opportunity for him to experience socialization and concepts such as sharing and being respectful. Routine Daycare has given him structure. He’s learning how to stick to a daily routine and follow along with others. And though I find it hard to believe, his teachers say he’s the best napper in his class! Learning Soon after he started, I was amazed to hear my son mentioning words and concepts I knew I didn’t teach him—I realized just how much he was learning at daycare. Throughout the years, his teachers have also been instrumental in helping us understand how he learns best. Manners and habits I was pleasantly surprised one day when my toddler shook my hand and said, “How do you do?” He’s also learned good habits such as clearing the dinner table and looking both ways before crossing the street (which of course has a fun song to go along with it). Potty training A friend once told me the best benefit of daycare was potty training. Boy, was she right. After struggling at home for months, my son’s teachers potty-trained him in a matter of weeks. Being in an environment with peers who were also potty training made the transition much easier for him. Friendships It’s been a joy watching my son develop friendships with his classmates, and I too enjoy the camaraderie with parents. When one of his classmates transfers to a new school, I don’t know who takes it harder, him or me! And now the best for last: babysitters I know daycares have different policies but ours allows teachers to babysit, which has been a godsend for us. What can be better than a babysitter you know and trust and your child looks forward to spending time with? Now that my son is nearing kindergarten, I‘ve been thinking about all his kind and loving teachers, the classmates that cheerfully greet me each morning (Hi, CJ’s mommy!) and the daily routine I’ve grown to look forward to. Knowing this is his last year there makes me a little sad. Daycare was definitely the right decision for us. Weighing your childcare options? Look for a parent-recommended nanny in NPN's Childcare Classifieds and browse our School & Daycare Directory.

As a parent/guardian your number one goal is to protect and enrich your child. We’re constantly tasked with ways of enhancing that experience, and for those of us with the Internet at our fingertips – we know there is endless amounts of contradictory information. Let’s get one thing straight, there’s no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to any part of your parenting experience. You always have to make decisions about what’s best for your family and meets your needs. However, there are certainly some best practices that you can keep in mind when shopping for a daycare, or center-based childcare. [Related: 7 ways daycare changed our lives for the better] Location, location, location The first thing to keep in mind is whether the daycare is appropriate for your family’s commute. There’s almost no point in falling in love with something that won’t work. Whether your drive, take public transportation or walk, you need to be realistic. If you do drive, ask about parking – many schools don’t offer it and you’ll spend half your morning circling looking for a place to leave your car. If you walk or take public transportation, make sure it’s a reasonable distance to travel with a baby in -20° weather. Know your budget Daycare isn’t cheap but it doesn’t have to break the bank for your family. As with anything, before you embark on the shopping journey you must have a clear idea of what you can afford. If your budget is tight, consider shopping for centers that offer part-time care and put baby with friends or family on off days. Also be sure to ask about special promotions: free enrollment, complimentary first month or vacation tuition breaks. Most centers in a close vicinity are priced within a few dollars of each other. They don’t vary as much as you might hope. Trust your gut Your intuition will be one of the most valuable tools when it comes to parenting, and searching for childcare is no exception to that rule. If you get a warm fuzzy feeling the second you walk through the door and it’s followed by welcoming people and direct answers that make you feel comfortable? That’s a good thing! Remember this is where you leave your favorite person in the world every day – you want to feel welcome. [Related: Key safety questions to ask your childcare provider] Priorities are different for everyone For some families it’s the hours, for some it’s availability, for some it's teacher qualifications – the list goes on. Find out what’s important to you before you start calling and scheduling tours. If it’s hours, you can determine which sites are applicable to your needs by a simple search online. If it’s the teachers, you’ll want to ask the tour guide at the various centers you visit if they would be comfortable allowing you to sit in with the teacher for a few minutes. Don’t freak out Here’s the deal: When you're pregnant or new to the idea of center-based daycare, there’s a lot to take in. Relax, everyone involved is here to help. Ask a ton of questions. Questions can be asked in advance on the phone, through email or during your tour. If you don’t get the answers you want then move on. If a company doesn’t give you the information that you want/need when they are in the selling process, it’s not going to get any better once your child is enrolled. Benefits such as web cameras and open door policies allow for you to continue and monitor your child’s experience once they begin. Seeking daycares that provide these is just another way of feeling in control of your little one’s day. Overall, center-based childcare is becoming increasingly popular for families. It offers consistent and predictable care when you’re away. It also provides your little one with the opportunity to make friends, interact with other children and have access to developmentally age appropriate equipment and toys. Good luck with your search!

There are so many factors that are important when choosing the right child care provider, but above all else we want our children cared for in a safe environment. Kids in Danger (KID) has pulled together a list of safety questions to ask your provider to make sure your child is in a safe space. What you could ask: How do you keep up with children’s products recalls? What the provider should say: The provider should be telling you that they are signed up to receive recall alert notices from either the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and/ or Kids In Danger (KID). If they don’t already receive these alerts, encourage them to sign up for the free service at CPSC.gov or KidsInDanger.org. CPSC will email each time there is a recall; KID will send an email once a month with all the month’s recalls. Bonus: KID’s email alert includes a printable list of recalls for posting. What you could ask: Have you secured the furniture in your facility? What the provider should say: They should be saying that they have purchased anchors and brackets so that the TV’s and furniture don’t tip over and pose a safety hazard to children. If they haven’t done this yet, you can recommend they visit any electronic or children’s store and purchase these inexpensive safety devices from the “home safety” section or online. What you could ask: (If you have an infant) There are new safety standards for cribs that caregivers are required to comply with. Do your cribs meet this new standard? What the provider should say: The provider should have proof that their crib was manufactured after June 28, 2011 (when the new crib safety law went into effect). Feel free to encourage them to print and post this handy poster that will let other parents know that the caregiver is aware of these new standards. Also, request that providers not use dangerous crib accessories such as crib bumper pads, sleep positioners, and soft bedding as they can pose suffocation, strangulation and fall hazards to children. What you could ask: (If the children travel by car or van in childcare) Many car seats are not installed correctly. How do you make sure each time the car seat is correctly installed? What the provider should say: They should say that they have been trained on car seat installation. If you are concerned about the installation of the car seat, encourage the provider to check out their local Safe Kids branch which will have a car seat installation specialist install the car seat for you. They should also mention that they keep up with car seat recalls through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Like CPSC and KID, NHSTA emails car seat recall notices directly to you if you sign up for their free service. To learn more about the broader concerns involved in choosing a childcare provider, please visit the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s website at Naeyc.org. For more information on child product safety, please visit KidsInDanger.org.