How do i find the best infant childcare centers in Denver, CO?

I find myself wanting to say something like look in the mirror—but I don’t know your circumstances and maybe you have to work. It might be breaking your heart to have to leave your baby. Maybe you are champing at the bit to get back to work. But if there is a way you can manage to take care of your infant, you will probably never regret that time.

If you are looking for a good infant care place, make sure you spend at least four hours there watching them deal with the infants they are caring for, to make sure they will really love and adore you infant the way infants need to be loved and adored.

Do you live in Denver now? Ask mothers you know and respect for their recommendations. There are some good ones in Denver.
Knowledge Beginnings has a good reputation, and so does Primrose. I know a lot of people who send their kids to the DACC and are happy with it.

The same as in any place. Check out the reviews on the internet, talk to the parents of other infants, and ask your pediatrician.

Visit centers that are conveniently located. Visit more than once, and ask a lot of questions. You will want to know the level of education for the teachers, what additional training they receive, how high the turnover is, the ratio of teachers to infants, what the daily schedule is, whether or not they have a school nurse, what the sick policy is, how well the teachers are paid, if they recieve benefits, how much time the children spend outside, and whether or not the center has ever been reported or investigated.

Ideally, you’ll want a center with educated, well-trained staff, at least a part-time nurse, low turnover rates, and low ratios. There shouldn’t be more than four infants to a teacher. Infants should be kept separated from other age groups. If the teachers are paid well and recieve benefits, they’re more likely to stay at the center. You want your child to form a bond with his or her caregiver, and if the caregivers change every few months that won’t happen. You should be able to visit your child at any time without advance notice. The sick policy should be strictly enforced, children should have access to an age-appropriate outdoor playspace, toys and furniture should be sanitized regularly. For infants, the daily routine should be unique to each child. Your baby should be fed and take naps following the schedule you use at home. You should get a daily report (usually a form the teachers fill out as they go) letting you know when your child ate, how much he or she ate, the time and length of naps, etc.

Another option is to look into a home-based daycare. Usually the caregivers can only take in one or two infants at a time. Make sure the caregiver is licensed, talk to other parents, and spend a lot of time visiting and getting to know the caregiver. The children should be played with, not parked in front of a TV all day. They should also have a good area to play outdoors.

Trust your instincts, and remember that the most expensive option isn’t always the best. We used a home daycare for our first child, and it was wonderful. We later used a center (where I worked) for two of our kids, and loved that place as well. In both cases, the quality of care was exceptional. I actually learned a lot from our childrens’ caregivers, and know I am a better parent for it.