Going back to work after having a child is stressful. There’s a lot to do to prepare yourself and your little one for that first day. First on your list should be finding a licensed day care center for your child. While there are a lot of centers available, not all of them are the same. Here’s how you can find a reputable day care.

5 Steps to Finding the Right Licensed Day Care

1. Ask Parents for Recommendations

Asking other parents for recommendations is a good start. If you don’t have many friends or family members who have children in a licensed day care facility, check with your pediatrician. You can typically find a list of state-regulated child care centers online as well.

2. Make Phone Calls

When you speak with potential centers over the phone, ask questions about their hours, tuition costs, child-to-teacher ratios, if there’s a waiting list, and what their credentials are. Cross them off your list if they seem unfriendly or refuse to answer any of your questions.

3. Take a Tour

After you’ve narrowed down your list, it’s time to take a tour of the facility and speak with the instructors in person. Take a note of cleanliness and child-to-teacher ratio, as well as how the instructors interact with their students. You’ll also want to verify they have an infant care room that’s separate from the older children.

4. Check References

Always ask a licensed day care facility for references and be sure to check each one. Find out what other parents think of the day care to see if it’s right for you and your values. 

5. Make a Repeat Visit

It’s wise to visit your preferred day care more than once, and at least one of those visits should be unannounced. This will give you an idea of how the facility is run when there’s no time to prepare for a parent visit. 

If you’re looking for an experienced and licensed day care facility in Anchorage, AK, consider making Northern Lights Preschool & Child Care your top choice. With more than 20 years of experience, they offer flexible hours and competitive rates. In addition to their outstanding infant care, they also provide before- and after-school care for school-aged children. Visit their website for more information on their early childhood learning programs, or call (888) 688-8794 to schedule a visit.