Prenatal Tips for the Second Trimester
If you will be using childcare for your baby, find a high-quality child care provider before she is born. This will be less stressful than trying to decide on childcare after your baby is born, and you will keep from getting on a long waiting list.
Quality childcare is important because experiences your baby has in her first few years of life affect her development. A quality childcare center is a safe and nurturing place with enough qualified staff to care for the children in their center. Child Care Aware provides more information on choosing quality childcare.
Here are some tips on finding a quality childcare provider:
- Ask for recommendations. Ask for suggestions from friends and family members about childcare providers in a home or at a day care center.
- Visit each location. Stay at least an hour or more and pay close attention to what’s going on. Do the children seem happy and engaged? Do the teachers pay attention to the children? Is it clean and inviting? Bring a friend along if you want another opinion.
- Ask questions. How many children are there for each adult? How many children are in each group? Are you able to visit any time you like? What is their policy for sick children?
- Choose. Consider all the pros and cons of each location. Think about costs, hours, location, and, most of all, quality. Stay involved with your childcare center by visiting often, asking questions, and meeting with your child’s caregiver.
Learn more about Your Prenatal Baby: Second Trimester from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
