Child care centers or daycare near you

There are many options to think about when it comes to daycare. There are centers that are run by companies and function like a school. There are childcare services run out of a provider’s home. And there may be in-school services at your local elementary school.

Location

One of the first things to consider is location. Can you find a daycare center near your home or work? This will help make pickups and drop-offs more convenient. It will also make it easier if you need to hurry in for an emergency.

 

Other things to consider when looking for childcare, daycare, infant care, or preschool:

Hours. Make sure the hours work with your schedule so there is coverage for your child when you need it.

Costs. When looking into the costs of childcare services, make sure you ask about any extras. This could include charges for food or fees if you are late to pick up your child at the end of the day.

Certifications. What certifications do the workers at the daycare center have? Are they members of national organizations that hold providers accountable? Are they trained in first aid?

Class size. How many children are taken care of at the center? What is the ratio of adults to children? How much room do the children have to play?

Monitoring. What monitoring is available to you? Are there cameras you can access online to see your child? Do the cchildcareproviders take photos at regular intervals to send to you? Are you allowed to come by whenever you want to see how your child is doing?

 

A good way to get started finding childcare near you is to ask friends or neighbors for their recommendations. You can also ask teachers at your local schools or your child’s doctor.

Be sure to check BBB.org for reviews and complaints when you have a few centers you are considering.

Before you make any final decisions, ask if you can observe for part of a day so you can see how the staff interacts with the children. You may also want to stop by unannounced to see what the center is like when they’re not expecting parents.

 

For more information

Check out BBB's tips for hiring a nanny or nanny service.

Read more about BBB Accreditation Standards and BBB Standards for Trust. 

Visit BBB's consumer HQ for more consumer resources and tips.