Choosing a daycare or nanny for the little ones in your family is a very important decision to make. There are many things to research and think about when deciding, and it can be especially overwhelming if you’re new to the Austin community. With more than 50 centers to choose from, be sure to start looking early – many have limited openings or even a wait-list.

Daycares give children the opportunity to learn a variety of skills through playing with others and doing a wide range of activities like singing, storytelling, and art projects. They’ll also get to play and learn with other children on a daily basis. That’s why it’s important to be completely comfortable with the Austin daycare you choose – and ensure they’ll provide your child with a great experience. Here are a few things you should consider:

Location – First and foremost, decide how far you want to travel from your home to drop off your child. Are you looking for something close to home or work, or are you comfortable with a longer commute? Just be sure you’re not making your decision based entirely on what’s closest – it’s likely there are plenty of quality daycare centers within the area you’re looking to travel.

Ask for references – You’re looking for someone you can trust to take care of your child on a daily basis, so it’s important to find someone you’re 100% comfortable with. Ask your friends and family if they have recommendations for a good daycare center in the city, and start with those. The Savvy Source is also a great website – you can see honest reviews given by parents and a five-star rating based on things like safety, teacher quality, and facilities.

Interview – Many times an initial phone call will give you a sense of if you’ll fit well with the daycare center. There are several questions you should ask to help you narrow down your search:

•Is the center licensed? This means they met the standards when inspected for fire, sanitation, proper care giving, and more.
•Is the center accredited by a national organization? Two of the primary ones are the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
•What are their fees per child?
•Are they flexible with your work schedule?
•What activities will children take part in during the day?
•What size of a group will your child be placed in? The smaller the group size, the more one-on-one attention they’ll get.
•Are the care providers experienced? How many children are paired with each teacher?
•These and many more are questions to give you a good “look” into what the daycare center can offer.

Plan a visit – Once you’ve narrowed down your list, set up a visit to your top choices for you and your child. A personal visit will give you the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the staff and check out the features the center can offer your child. While visiting, you’ll also have the chance to ask more in-depth questions about the center and its policies.

Consider each of these as you’re searching for an Austin, Texas, childcare provider. It will save you much time and energy in the long run and will help ensure you and your family feel completely comfortable with your choice.