When it comes to leaving your baby in daycare, it’s never an easy decision for parents. Leaving our little ones with others is a major concern, whether you are a first-time parent or already have children.
Leaving our baby, still so small, defenseless, and not yet able to express themselves, in the care of teachers and staff, is quite a challenging experience. It’s normal to feel nervous, anxious, and deeply concerned—but that all comes with the busy routine of modern motherhood.
Change in Routine
Starting your baby in daycare brings significant changes to the entire family’s routine. If the baby was being cared for by mom during maternity leave, they will need to adapt to a new routine at the daycare the parents have chosen. That’s why it’s natural for the baby to cry during the first few weeks as they get used to the new caregivers and environment.
The thought of putting your baby in daycare can sound a little scary for any parent, regardless of the family’s needs. But for many, it is truly the only option if the parents are to return to work without affecting the family’s finances.
Leaving With Family or in Daycare?
If you have the option to stop working to care for your baby or can count on the help of family members like grandparents, leaving your baby at daycare is usually the last option on the list. After all, it feels much safer to leave your baby with someone you trust, who can give special care, instead of at a place—even if it’s suitable for infants—where your baby will have to share attention with others.
The fear about how your baby will be treated in daycare is inevitable, even when you have chosen the place carefully. Yet, one very important point at this stage is that parents show complete confidence to their baby.
Parents’ insecurity—especially during drop-off—can make their baby tense and uncomfortable every single day. The baby should feel safe, particularly if they are a little older, and know that their parents will be back to pick them up in a few hours.
Usually, the first days can be tough, with plenty of crying and tension, though sometimes parents might be surprised. At these times, it’s important to count on good professionals who can distract the baby at drop-off and give the parents enough confidence to leave peacefully.
How to Choose the Best Daycare
When it comes to choosing the best daycare, it’s even harder1. Parents are advised to visit daycare centers in their area, always asking for recommendations from people they know and researching how each one operates, as well as evaluating each area in the facility. Here are some essential factors to help you decide and select the best daycare:
Hygiene
Hygiene at the facility is one of the key points and should be evaluated carefully at each visit. Every area of the daycare should be checked, particularly where food is eaten or prepared. The spaces where babies sleep and where their hygiene needs are taken care of should also be spotless to provide the necessary care for babies.
Space
Space is another crucial factor to consider, including the areas designated for babies’ recreation. Every daycare must have a dedicated area for activities and stimulation to support babies’ development, always focusing on safety and care for the little ones.
Number of Qualified Staff
Caring for babies and young children is a huge responsibility—and even more so in a daycare setting. That’s why it’s essential to have trained staff, and to ensure that no one is responsible for too many babies at once, guaranteeing the proper care for each child, from hygiene and safety to feeding. Checking how many caregivers look after each group of infants is essential for ensuring and demanding good care.
Recommendations From Others
Recommendations from friends and acquaintances are invaluable! The ideal is to ask people you know who also have babies for recommendations, although the choice will always depend on your own perceptions and instincts as well as which place best meets the needs you have for your baby. But knowing that a facility is highly recommended is already a big step toward finding the best daycare.
Parents’ Needs
A good daycare isn’t just a place to keep your baby safe while you’re at work. It must also provide a routine that meets your baby’s physical and emotional needs, ensuring their safety, nutrition, health, and hygiene.
And of course, parents’ needs should not be forgotten. You should always check the daycare’s availability and hours to see if they fit your work schedule.
Some daycare centers offer extended hours, making it possible for parents who work farther away to arrive on time to pick up their baby. Others have a shorter schedule and stick strictly to a single pickup time.
Safety
Safety at the daycare is another crucial factor when choosing the right place. It’s important to look for a center with security cameras and strict control over who enters and leaves, as well as who moves about inside the facility.
Check for stairs, windows with easy access for curious babies, fences with external access, and doors or gates that remain open. Everything should be analyzed for the baby’s safety and for the parents’ peace of mind.
Some daycare centers even provide camera access so parents can monitor their babies’ routine via websites or apps, ensuring you can see your baby at any time and how they are being treated.
Food
Nutrition is another important factor in choosing a daycare2. Babies who still nurse should follow all recommendations for age-appropriate milk and feeding times.
Older babies who are starting to eat solid foods must also be guaranteed a balanced, healthy diet. Most daycares and preschools work with nutritionists that create healthy menus for babies.
These menus are shared weekly with the parents, listing every food that will be served. Babies with allergies should be given special care and personalized food, so it’s important to notify the daycare with a doctor’s note.
There are many concerns for parents at this moment of decision to leave their baby in daycare. But when you ensure quality care, a safe environment, and staff who not only look after your child but also update you daily on everything, it brings comfort to everyone.
See also: Separation Anxiety: What to Do When Your Baby Is Going Through This Phase
Photo: Joan Burton at Little Apples Creche
