Questions specifically for Center care

• How many times do you think you child has caught a contagious illness at daycare?
• Is the Center firm about not accepting ill children? What about symptoms like a runny nose?
• How many times have fees been raised in the past year?
• How often was the Center closed for vacation?
• How many time have you had to make other childcare arrangements because the Center was unexpectedly closed (due to illness or emergency)? Have you been satisfied with the Center's back-up arrangements, or do you make your own?
• If you child is not currently in her care, why did you move your child?
• Have you ever had any problems with the service provided?
• For Family Care Settings:
• How do the provider's own children get along with the children she cares for?

Comparing Types of Childcare

For a single child, in-home care is usually the most expensive. For more than one child, the cost per child will be more comparable to Center fees, and may in some cases be less.

In-home care

A nanny with some experience and professional training will generally command a salary of $250-$300 dollars per week, full-time (about 45 hours/week). Live-in nannies may receive free room and board over and above this amount. Other people hire untrained young women (often immigrants) who are paid less, in the range of $150-$200 per week. Au pairs are generally young women (17-22 years is typical) who live with a family and help with children to experience life in another community or country. Some work for room and board only, and others are paid a stipend of $20-$100 or more per week.

In-home care arrangements also require special attention to tax regulations in the U.S. In most cases, a person who is paid more than $400 in a year is considered to be an employee. Employers in the U.S. have certain obligations that can include paying social security, unemployment, and other taxes on behalf of an employee; documenting the employee's citizenship or residence status and his/her eligibility to work in the U.S., and withholding income tax payments for the employee. "Under the table" arrangements may be subject to penalties if determined to violate regulations, and may disqualify the employer from taking advantage of dependent care accounts and/or tax credits. Please consult a professional for specific information pertaining to your own situation.

Childcare Centers

Fees at a childcare Center are closely related to the qualifications of the staff and to prevailing wages in the area. The more qualified the staff, the higher the wages, and the higher the fees. Facility and overhead costs are a factor. Infant care is generally most expensive as higher staff to child ratios are required. Average costs range from $90-$125 per week at the low end to $200-$300 per week at the high end. Fees are generally 10-20% lower for toddlers and a further 10-15% lower for preschool-age children. Part-time care may be pro-rated by the day, half-day, or an hourly rate. If the hours of care needed will vary quite a bit, in some cases it is less expensive to pay for a full-time slot, even if it is not fully used, than to pay the hourly rate for a shorter period - ask your provider about this option.

Family Care

Costs are comparable to childcare Centers, though in some areas they are consistently a little less expensive. Again, infant fees will be highest. Most licensed family care Centers are operated as businesses, and follow all of the requisite accounting and tax procedures. Some people who provide childcare in their homes may do so on a cash basis; be sure to get professional advice about your responsibilities in this situation. If the fees you pay are not reported, you may not be able to take advantage of such benefits as dependent care accounts and/or tax credits.

What About Licensing? Who Regulates Childcare Providers?

Regulation of childcare in the U.S. is handled at the state level. All 50 states have some form of procedure for licensing childcare providers and setting minimum standards for health and safety in childcare settings. Licensing regulations generally stipulate:

• the number of children, at particular ages, that can be cared for - the provider to child ratio
• physical features such as the presence of smoke detectors and/or theelimination of obvious hazards
• that background checks are conducted on the provider and/or staff(and other members of the household in the case of family care)
• that immunizations are required for children in care - parents mustprovide proof of immunization

Some things to consider:

What are the physical demands of caring for your child or children?

Make sure your sitter is capable of any lifting, carrying, etc. that might be required.

What happens in an emergency?

In addition to having a list of phone numbers prepared, consider your needs for first aid/CPR training, the ability to drive (or another adult nearby), and the general level of maturity and responsibility in your sitter. Asking "what would you do if . . . ?" questions is a good way to gather information and rehearse responses to crises.

Will the sitter come to you?

This is a big plus if you will be out past your child's bedtime. If you are doing an exchange with another family though, you may have to take your kids to their home.

What other expectations do you have?

Will the sitter cook meals, clean up afterward, take care of any other chores during naps? Do you want to place explicit limits on TV watching, telephone use, and access to the refrigerator, or leave these up to the sitter's best judgment? Will everyone remain at home, or are outings permitted? Under what circumstances (leave a note, take a cellular phone)?

How will your child respond to the sitter?

For very young children, some transition time may be important. You might schedule some get-acquainted visits while you remain at home or leave for only short periods.

Babysitters are typically paid by the hour. Rates will range widely from region to region, and depending on the age and experience of the sitter. Average rates for teenagers with little experience may be between $3 and $5 per hour; experienced adults usually command at least minimum wage and may be paid $10 per hour or more. Rates may be higher or a bonus added for multiple children. Transportation is often provided by the parents in addition, either by picking up and driving home the sitter or by providing bus or taxi fare.

What is a Mother's Helper? How Can I Find One? What Can I Expect to Pay?

A mother's helper is someone who helps care for children while the parent is present. This kind of help can be of great assistance in working at home/telecommuting, getting some housework done, or simply finding some time to yourself. Your children remain at home in a familiar environment, and you are readily accessible to help with any emergencies that may arise.

Mother's helpers can be younger and/or less experienced than babysittersor nannies as they do not have complete responsibility. Older children in your neighborhood may be good candidates; this can be a good way to cultivate a future babysitter as the mother's helper gains some experience and self-assurance.

In many cases the helper's main role is to keep the children entertained. The parent who is remaining at home will want to set some ground rules about when they can be interrupted. Pay rates are generally comparable to babysitting or somewhat less, depending on prevailing rates in your community. A ten-year-old who can keep your toddler busy for a couple of hours may be thrilled to earn $2 per hour; an older teenager or adult (grandparent figures are great) may command $5 per hour or more.

What Childcare Resources are Available on the Internet?

National Child Care Information Center
A national (U.S.) clearinghouse of childcare information sponsored by the Child Care Bureau of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human Services. Includes information on childcare research, tips for consumers of childcare, facts on child development for parents and caregivers, and over 50 links to Internet resources with childcare information.

National Resource Center For Health And Safety In Child Care
A comprehensive site funded by the U.S. Maternal and Child Heath Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services.

Links under the topic "Choosing Child Care" include:

• Checklists from National Network for Child Care Child Care Aware
• Guide to Selecting a Nanny from Washington Child Care Resources Parent Checklist from the Washington Child Care Resources Search the NAEYC List of Accreditation Centers
• Working Woman's Guide to Choosing Child Care

This site also has links to childcare licensing regulations from all 50 states.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Information on accreditation of programs for children and other resources for parents and professionals. Sponsors of the annual "Week of the Young Child" national observance.

Child & Family Canada/Enfant & Famille Canada
Child & Family Canada is a website presented through the collaborative efforts of a variety of Canadian organizations with information on childcare, health, parenting, and other family issues.

• Links to a directory of Canadian childcare providers

Home-Work Exchange
A Boston-area service matching college students and families. Families provide room and board in exchange for 15+ hours a week of help with childcare, housework, etc.

Careguide
This is a commercial site which contains listings of childcare (and elder care) providers in the U.S. and Canada (providers pay a subscription fee to be listed). Also included are information on choosing childcare; information for providers, including links to several professional associations; and an online bookstore with resources related to caregiving.