And while many parents still choose to stay at home with their children, when it comes to child care, giving parents good choices is far better than just a choice. When parents choose child care, they need good information to make good choices. As more working couples dot the employment landscape, the need for child care expands. Businesses that recognize the connection between access to and information about quality day care and confident, focused workers are ahead of the curve, whether they provide on-site child care or help employees find child care. It follows that employees who know their children are being cared for in a safe, educational environment can worry less and, in turn, produce more.
Communities too have a stake in child care as it relates to the overall quality of life.
Still, parents must weigh all the factors when deciding what is right for their children, starting with the decision whether to use day care. But once parents make that choice, there are other responsibilities. Asking the right questions, dropping in for visits and asking their children what goes on at day care are all important. Good providers will welcome parents' questions. Employers should also be knowledgeable enough to know where parents can find answers to their general questions before making a choice.