If you have discovered that you are pregnant, seeking options for child care is an important step to take. Many pregnant women are not sure when to find day care options, which results in them waiting until the child is born. Here are some questions and answers that should help you make a decision on when to seek child care while pregnant.
Will you go back to work after the child is born?
The toughest decision a mother must make is determining when to go back to work. If you are planning on heading back to work after six or seven weeks, you may want to find appropriate child care roughly three months before the baby is due. But if you are planning on taking a few months off work after the birth, you can wait until the due date to worry about child care options.
Is this your first child?
If you have other kids, we suggest starting your search earlier. Why? Because you may want to find child care options that are at a convenient distance from where your other kids go to school. If you have other children who are not at school age yet, you will want to get your baby into the same daycare program as your other kids. The sooner you can finalize the day care situation, the more comfortable you will feel closer to the due date, especially if you have other children to manage!
When are you due?
The highest enrollment for child care facilities occurs in the fall, while the summer months are the least buy. Depending on when you are due, you may want to look very early for child care options. For instance, if you are due to give birth between August and October, finding child care early in the spring or summer is the best option.
Is there a particular option that appeals to you the most?
If there is some daycare program that appeals to you more than other options, be sure to contact them quickly. If you are insistent on this option and do not want to entertain other choices, you should be reserving your spot when you know that you are pregnant. It may seem too early, but it is best to get your spot reserved so you do not find yourself needing to investigate alternate options close to the due date.
How much do you know about daycare options?
Some expecting mothers have more information about daycare options due to their circumstances. Maybe you recall how your family handled daycare for your younger siblings, or you already had a child a few years ago. If you know about the options, it is easier to narrow down your decision closer to the due date. But if you have no idea what is out there, start your search early so you can understand the options and determine what will fit your needs. For those who know next to nothing about daycare options, start looking during the second trimester.