Monday Mailbag
Sorry for the late post....
Q: We just found out we are expecting, and I'm planning on returning to work after the baby is born. When is the ideal time to start searching for childcare?
A: Congrats on your new addition! If this is your first baby, remember they don't come with manuals, because if they did, parenting would be much easier. 😃
Finding childcare can be a challenge, especially for infants, due to the high demand for infant care. As a career educator, nanny and center director, I suggest the following:
1. Explore the options of childcare available: family childcare home, group childcare center or nanny. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals, and use the internet for resources.
2. Decide what type of care fits your budget. WI is one of the most expensive states for childcare, and tuition in a group setting could run $13,000-14,404 (full time care) per year depending on the center. Family childcare homes are typically cheaper than group centers, while nannies cost more.
3. Once you decide what you are looking for, make a plan. Write down what you are seeking in a care arrangement, and any questions you may have. Gather names and contact info for centers you are interested in.
4. Relax as much as you can. Literally. You're having a baby!
5. Around 20-25 weeks, start touring family childcare homes and centers. Bring your list of questions, and ask them. As a nanny, I once interviewed with two families who didn't ask any questions about my experience and/or background. One family looked through my portfolio and copied things off my resume, and the other family admitted up front that they didn't know what they were doing when it came to hiring a nanny and they were " 'getting information from people then setting up interviews' ". Ask questions. Lots of questions. Not asking questions or a nonchalant approach can lead to more stress if the caregiver doesn't work out for whatever reason.
6. If you decide to go the nanny route, the timeline can be more flexible depending on your schedule/needs. Some families start their nanny search a few weeks prior to birth, others wait until after the baby is born. Agencies are a great way to find a nanny, and safer and secure compared to online sites. The process to find a nanny through an agency can take anywhere from two-eight weeks.
Bottom line: there is no specific time to find care, however, starting earlier is better.
Got a question for readers? Email creativenannysolutions9@gmail.com
Q: We just found out we are expecting, and I'm planning on returning to work after the baby is born. When is the ideal time to start searching for childcare?
A: Congrats on your new addition! If this is your first baby, remember they don't come with manuals, because if they did, parenting would be much easier. 😃
Finding childcare can be a challenge, especially for infants, due to the high demand for infant care. As a career educator, nanny and center director, I suggest the following:
1. Explore the options of childcare available: family childcare home, group childcare center or nanny. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals, and use the internet for resources.
2. Decide what type of care fits your budget. WI is one of the most expensive states for childcare, and tuition in a group setting could run $13,000-14,404 (full time care) per year depending on the center. Family childcare homes are typically cheaper than group centers, while nannies cost more.
3. Once you decide what you are looking for, make a plan. Write down what you are seeking in a care arrangement, and any questions you may have. Gather names and contact info for centers you are interested in.
4. Relax as much as you can. Literally. You're having a baby!
5. Around 20-25 weeks, start touring family childcare homes and centers. Bring your list of questions, and ask them. As a nanny, I once interviewed with two families who didn't ask any questions about my experience and/or background. One family looked through my portfolio and copied things off my resume, and the other family admitted up front that they didn't know what they were doing when it came to hiring a nanny and they were " 'getting information from people then setting up interviews' ". Ask questions. Lots of questions. Not asking questions or a nonchalant approach can lead to more stress if the caregiver doesn't work out for whatever reason.
6. If you decide to go the nanny route, the timeline can be more flexible depending on your schedule/needs. Some families start their nanny search a few weeks prior to birth, others wait until after the baby is born. Agencies are a great way to find a nanny, and safer and secure compared to online sites. The process to find a nanny through an agency can take anywhere from two-eight weeks.
Bottom line: there is no specific time to find care, however, starting earlier is better.
Got a question for readers? Email creativenannysolutions9@gmail.com
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