Types of child care situations you can consider if Mom is going to be working outside the home:
- stay-at-home dad
- mom and dad who alternate work schedules
- family member that cares for the baby
- nanny
- in-home day care
- group day care
For example, while your baby will likely be grouped with many more kids in a group day care setting than in an in-home day care, some people feel like having multiple caregivers in a group day care providers closer supervision. Being with fewer kids in an in-home day care may mean that your baby gets sick less often, though.
When choosing a day care, make sure that:
- it is licensed and accredited by your state.
- the staff-to-child ratio in a group day care for newborns and infants is no greater than one caregiver for every three infants; there should be no more than six infants in a group together.
- the staff-to-child ratio in an in-home day care for newborns and infants is no greater than one caregiver for every four infants (if there is only one child less than two years old in the group); there should be only two children in the group if they are both under age two.
Sources: AAP Policy Statement. Quality Early Education and Child Care From Birth to Kindergarten. PEDIATRICS Vol. 115 No. 1 January 2005, pp. 187-191. U.S. Census Bureau Report. Maternity Leave and Employment Patterns of First-Time Mothers: 1961 - 2000.
