Most parents anticipate needing daycare before their baby is born. However, unexpected situations arise, and some parents find themselves needing childcare sooner than planned.
We get it—no matter what you’re going through, it can be hard to think about someone else looking after your little one.
Finding the right daycare for your infant requires research and careful consideration. Whether you’re considering hiring a nanny or enrolling your child in a Rockville daycare center, finding the right fit is essential. Your child’s health and safety are important and finding the right childcare environment goes a long way in supporting that.
Infants thrive in daycare when they receive the attention and affection they need from caregivers. A good caregiver knows just what a baby needs, isn’t shy about showing love, and knows all about the stages of child development.
Many licensed childcare centers take babies at 6 weeks old. Deciding when to enroll your baby in daycare is a personal choice influenced by various factors beyond daycare center policies, such as paid parental leave and its duration.
While babies can start daycare as early as 6 weeks, waiting until they are older offers certain benefits. It allows you to build a strong bond with your child, lets the umbilical cord heal properly, figure out feeding and sleep routines, and get used to this new life as a family.
Many working parents in the U.S. struggle with limited access to paid parental leave while also relying on their income to support their families. So, putting off daycare until the baby is older isn’t always feasible.
It’s a great idea to begin your search for Rockville day care providers before bringing your baby home. The earlier you start researching childcare centers, the better, as they have limited infant spots available. The best childcare centers fill up fast and often have a lengthy waiting list.
If you know you’ll be returning to work a few weeks after your baby’s arrival, start exploring daycare options as early as possible. This ensures you secure the best childcare for your newborn before facing the added stress of returning to work.
When you’re looking for child care, you want a program that’s easy to access, available when needed, and fits your budget. Safety and health should be top priorities when choosing an infant or toddler childcare program.
Since your baby arrived, your home might not be as tidy as before—and that’s perfectly okay! Your daycare needs to be clean all the time. During your tour, whether it’s virtual or in-person, pay attention to how teachers tidy up after each activity and maintain their classrooms. When classrooms are nice and tidy, it shows that daycare has things under control—and they have cleaning policies in place to keep the space safe for little ones to crawl around.
Choosing a daycare where you feel good about the people caring for your baby is the most important thing. You want caregivers who take the time to talk with you and answer all your questions – no matter how many there are.
Getting to know the caregivers helps you understand how the daycare communicates and keeps parents informed. Whether it’s through phone calls, text messages, real-time photos via an app, or those face-to-face chats, or a mix of things, you want to pick a communication method that works for you.
While you are looking into infant and toddler daycare centers, take a moment to look at their safety policy. Make sure all health and safety policies are posted where parents can easily see them. All policies should also be available on the center’s website.
It’s also important to check if the daycare you’re considering follows safe sleep practices. When you’re on a tour, whether it’s virtual or in-person, look for see-through cribs. Providers should have the chance to see your baby throughout the day, even during nap time.
Ask about their sleep practices and what they allow in cribs. To help lower the risk of SIDS, babies should sleep on their backs on a firm surface, keeping pillows, blankets, and toys out of the bed with them.
Understanding what sets a licensed center apart from an accredited one is useful when trying to narrow down your options. For daycares, having a license is just the starting point. You always want to verify the license of any daycare you are considering.
A state-accredited center goes above and beyond to ensure its caregivers provide your child with the highest quality education. These centers are more than just safe spaces for your little one—they foster learning, growth, and preparation for the future.
Infants flourish in daycare environments when they receive plenty of attention, affection, fun interactions with caregivers, and engaging language experiences. A great caregiver is attentive to a baby’s needs, feels at ease showing affection, and fully grasps the various stages of child development.
The initial days and weeks after your little one begins infant daycare can be challenging. It’s normal to feel sadness, worry, anxiety, guilt, or even jealousy. It’s normal to have all these feelings! As you get to know the childcare provider better and see how well your baby is being cared for, you’ll likely feel more at ease with your decision to send your child to daycare. If you have any doubts, go with your gut feeling. You can choose the best childcare situation for you and your family, and it’s important to prioritize what works best for everyone involved.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.
