Find the right care for your child

By Katrina Katsarelis, special for USATODAY.com

Every day millions of parents leave their children in the hands of someone else while they go to work. Finding the right care for your children is key to putting your mind at ease during the workday.

Weeding through mediocre centers and providers can require hours of research, interviews, visits and reference checking. But if you put in the time it takes to find a childcare provider you trust, kissing the kids goodbye for the day will be much easier.

Before you start searching, determine which type of care — daycare centers, family daycare providers, family members or sitters — will best fit your needs. Find a resource and referral agency to help you, says Karen Heying, a spokesperson for Childcare Aware, a non-profit agency that connects people with local childcare resource and referral agencies.

"Look at what your particular needs are, what hours you'll need care, and what will work for your child and family," Heying says.

Start budgeting immediately. Childcare costs are steep — $4,000 to $6,000 a year per child, according to the Children's Defense Fund. Families with infants pay about $1,100 more per year than those with a four year old. Check with your employer to see if it offers childcare financial assistance, referral services, pre-tax childcare deductions or other childcare-related benefits.

The most common types of care are centers, family daycare providers and in-home caregivers. Here's a look at the different options to help you assess which will best fit your needs:

Daycare centers

"Sometimes parents prefer center care because of the accountability. There are constantly people around, coming in and out. There's an administration and a management team, as opposed to a family provider who is alone with your children," says Leslee Bright, a childcare resource and referral counselor for Maryland Committee for Children.

But frequent staff turnover and an institutional-type setting may turn off some parents. Centers where staff is changing frequently could mean less bonding for the child and less communication with parents.

If you choose a center with "primary care," one person is assigned to the same few children every day, giving your kids a chance to bond with their caregiver. You'll also be able to stay abreast of developments and learn more about your child if you check in regularly with this individual.

Family daycare providers

Some parents take their children to the home of a licensed caregiver. "One reason parents look for family providers is they like the family-style setting," Bright says. "There's a mixed age group. Their children get to stay together as opposed to being separated in different classrooms so they get to see each other all day long."

Family providers cost significantly less than a center. Because this caregiver is constant, your child can bond with him or her. As the parent, you also can form a closer relationship with the steady family provider.

But if your family provider gets sick, you might have to find other arrangements or take time off work to care for your child. In addition, some family providers take 2-3 weeks of vacation per year and require payment during these weeks.

Nannies and in-home caregivers

Many parents say they like the convenience of using an in-home caregiver and having one-on-one care for their child. They don't have to worry about transporting their kids to daycare and if they have to work late, parents know their children are at home already.

Nannies are the most expensive childcare option, ranging from $800 to $2,000 per month, in addition to employment taxes. When Phyllis Caputo, a project manager for a software company in central New Jersey, called a few nanny agencies, she learned they wanted $2,500 just to find a nanny for her family. Instead, Caputo posted ads on various online nanny sites for nominal fees (most under $50) and found one who met all her expectations.

Nannies are not regulated by any government agency, and they are not required to have any special training or background screening. If you choose this option, make sure their qualifications meet your standards.

Start your search

Once you've decided which option best meets your family's needs, start your search. Use these tips from the Maryland Committee for Children's Resource and Referral Department:

1. Do some research. Call your local childcare licensing or regulatory agency and find out the adult to child ratio and other laws specific to your state so you know what to watch for.

2. Do a phone screen first. Call and ask if they have any openings, hours of operation, fees, adult-to-child ratio, etc. If they pass your screen, set up a time to meet the director or childcare provider.

3. Set up an interview. Ask open-ended questions about the caregiver, the environment and the program. Find out about staff turnover; get a tour of the inside and outside of the house or center. Ask to see the actual childcare license so you can see the number of children allowed or any restricted areas or restricted people for this particular facility. Ask for copies of all contracts to take with you so you can review late fees, vacation policies, withdrawal policies, sick time and holidays.

4. Drop in and observe. Tell the caregiver or director you'll be stopping by to observe in a few days but don't be specific as to the day and time. Pay attention to the caregiver, environment and program. Look for happy, stimulated children, and whether there's a lot of interaction going on between adults and babies — talking, holding and singing. See how adults speak to toddlers and children. Watch a diaper change and see if gloves are used, hands are washed and changing stations are sanitized.

5. Check references and complaint files. Ask the center or provider for a list of references and call them. Also, call your local childcare licensing or regulatory agency to see if there have been any parent complaints filed against the center or provider.

6. Have a back-up plan. While looking for childcare, select a secondary caregiver for when your main caregiver is sick or takes vacation days.

7. Monitor continually. Drop in unannounced to make sure all is well. Always communicate with your caregiver and trust your instincts.

More information can be found at http://mdchildcare.org/