Place an ad on community bulletin boards or run an ad in your local newspaper. If you're looking for a child care center or family home care, ask about licensing requirements in your state. Other sources include your local newspaper, telephone book, pediatrician's bulletin board, local churches and elementary schools. Also, local colleges or universities often have high-quality child care facilities open to the public. Narrowing Your Options One option does not automatically guarantee a better standard of care than the others.
Some large facilities provide little more than baby-sitting services.
Others, along with many family home caregivers or in-home caregivers, are dedicated to providing your child with individualized attention and learning experiences. In other cases, the reverse may be true. Parents have to search carefully for the right situation. To help narrow your choices, begin by conducting telephone interviews with potential caregivers. Describe a child in your care.