Beginning Your Search

Think about what you need

When you start looking for child care, narrow down your choices by considering practical issues as well as your child's needs. Do you need an individual or group care provider? Or do you need an after-school program or camp to fill in gaps between school hours and your work schedule? Here are some other questions to consider:

• Do you need part-time or full-time child care?
• What days of the week do you need child care? Are the days always the same, or do they change?
• During what hours do you need child care (include your travel time if appropriate)?
• What are you willing to spend each month for child care? Keep in mind that well-paid caregivers are less likely to quit.
• How would you describe your child's personality? Does he or she have any special interests? Do you think your child will do best in a small or large group of children?

Visit the care setting

Visit the facility or caregiver's home, and get involved in any special activities. Watch the interaction between caregivers and children. Make sure you feel comfortable with your decision.

Individual Care Providers

Types of individual providers

• Babysitters and mother's helpers. Babysitters provide informal in-home care for your child, such as when you need to run errands or have planned an evening out. They are usually paid hourly and maintain general household order. But they are not expected to do housekeeping chores. A mother's helper is similar to a babysitter but is someone who watches your child while you are home.
• Relative or family friend. When you have a relative or family friend care for your child, the formality of the arrangement is up to you. Some parents need help on occasion or part-time. Others have a detailed arrangement that may or may not include payment.
• Nanny. Usually a nanny cares for one or more children of a single family. Nannies usually have at least a high school education. Many have college degrees in childhood education or have completed a special training program. Nannies are considered employees. They have regular hours, usually between 40 and 60 hours a week in the family's home.
• Au pair. Au pairs are child care providers from a foreign country. They speak English and typically live with a family for around 12 months. Au pairs usually are young adults (18 to 26 years of age) and often have completed a college degree or are pursuing further education. Families usually are matched with an au pair through an agency.

Selecting an individual care provider

Have a clear idea about what type of person you are looking for. It may be helpful to:

• Write down the qualities you want in a caregiver, such as educational background and experience.
• Look for hidden costs.
• Consider how having a relative or family friend watch your child could affect your relationship.

There are two basic ways to find an individual child care provider:

• Advertise. Talk with your neighbours and friends about the kind of person you are looking for. Post an advertisement in places where people in your community look for jobs or services, such as newspapers, local colleges, churches, or community bulletin boards.
• Use an agency. Some organizations will help you find child care. Many nannies and most au pairs are hired with agency help.

It's important to interview potential providers. Use a phone interview for the initial screening. Ask questions about their work experience, their references, and whether they have questions for you.

When you have narrowed down your selection, conduct a personal interview with each of your top choices. Allow enough time for the applicant to be introduced to your child.

Be sure to check the references of your top choices. Ask each reference how long he or she has known the provider, specifics of the provider's duties, and why the employment ended.

Selecting a babysitter or mother's helper

Choose a babysitter or mother's helper by asking friends and other caregivers you trust. You may also want to ask for recommendations from a local organization, such as the YMCA.

Before you hire a teen to watch your child:

• Talk to the parents of the teen. Find out what other families the teen has worked for. Ask for examples of how the teen acts responsibly.
• Tell the teen your rules, including how much TV and computer time is okay and what type of TV programs are okay.

Schedule a meeting with the caregiver and your child, and watch how they interact. Some caregivers may not have confidence. This doesn't mean they will not ever be able to watch your child. But it may mean that you will need to have a few babysitting dates while you are present before leaving them on their own.

Classes help babysitters prepare for the responsibilities of watching your child. They can also provide valuable skills in case of an emergency, such as first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training. Classes often are available through local agencies, churches, hospitals, or schools.

Know your responsibilities

If you use an individual care provider for your family on a regular basis, you may be obligated to comply with employer rules and regulations of the federal, provincial, and local governments.