When can babies start daycare?

Deciding when to put your baby in daycare depends on your preferences and work schedule. Many licensed daycares offer programs for babies as young as 6 weeks old.

Factors to consider when choosing a daycare

• Whether you work from home or outside the home

• Availability and length of maternity leave or paid parental leave

• Proximity to family members

• Your financial situation

• Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding

How to choose a daycare

Before choosing a daycare, get recommendations from friends, read trusted reviews, and schedule a tour to meet with the daycare staff and administration. Your baby will spend a significant portion of their day at daycare, so choosing a daycare where you feel safe and comfortable is important.  

Daycares vary in hours, activities, schedules, and policies. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a daycare:

• The number of days and hours you need care per week

• The staff-to-baby ratio

• Staff qualifications

• The age range of children in each group

• The size of each group

• Proximity to your home or workplace

• Cost and budget

• Feeding and napping schedules

• Napping arrangements

• Planned play and activities

• Options for extended hours or early hours

• Sick policy

• Licensure qualifications

Child care options

There are several childcare options based on your preferences and where you live. In larger cities, you'll find a range of choices with different educational styles and philosophies. In smaller cities or rural areas, the options might be more limited.

Daycare centers

Daycare, or child care centers, are licensed facilities (licensing varies by state) that provide group supervision based on your baby’s age. Many parents prefer this type of care because it helps children develop social skills early, and it can be a more affordable option.

In-home daycare

In-home daycare is similar to daycare centers, but it takes place in a caregiver's home. In-home daycares should be licensed, but they are usually less structured, have fewer children, and may only have a few groups of children of different ages.

Nanny

Hiring a nanny means hiring a caretaker to offer one-on-one supervision for your baby in your home. Some nannies may be hired as "live-in" nannies, living with the family and taking on additional responsibilities like light housework and cooking. Hiring a nanny can be pricey, so many families choose a “nanny-share” arrangement, where two families split the cost of one nanny to care for their babies.

Au pair

An au pair is similar to a nanny but comes from another country as part of a cultural exchange program. You can find an au pair through an agency that assists with the hiring and onboarding processes. Au pairs live in your home and typically work a capped number of hours each week. The cost of an au pair is significantly less than hiring a nanny, but they cannot take care of babies under 12 weeks of age.

Family caretaker

If you have family nearby, like a grandparent, aunt, or sibling, sometimes they are willing to care for your baby. While they may not provide full-time care, they can be a valuable resource for parents who work part-time or need help while they run errands or take care of other children. Many families opt for a combination of daycare or a part-time nanny and supplement their childcare with supervision from a family member. Enlisting or hiring a relative is more affordable and provides the added benefit of your baby being cared for by someone you trust, but requires open communication so everyone stays on the same page about this responsibility.

Babysitter

A babysitter is a caregiver paid hourly to look after your baby. You can hire a babysitter for a few hours on short notice or arrange a set number of hours per week based on your schedule. You can use a babysitting agency, ask friends for referrals, or post job listings at local universities or community colleges to find a babysitter.

If you have questions or concerns about starting your baby at daycare or are planning for preschool for your toddler, contact one of the child development and parenting specialists at Summer Health to make a plan.