How do I choose a daycare, apply, decide what’s best, and know when to apply?

This is a big decision and it’s okay if it feels overwhelming. You don’t have to get it perfect. You’re looking for a place where your baby is safe, cared for, and supported, and where you feel comfortable.

When should I start looking and applying?

Earlier than most parents expect.

• Many families start looking during pregnancy or when baby is 0–3 months old
• Waitlists can be long, especially for infants
• Applying early gives you more options and less stress

If your baby is already here and you haven’t applied yet don’t panic. Families move, plans change, and spots open unexpectedly.

Figure out what matters most to your family

Before touring, think about:

• Location (near home, work, or family support)
• Schedule (full-time, part-time, flexible hours)
• Cost and what fits your budget
• Infant experience (do they care for babies regularly?)
• Size (home-based vs center-based)

There is no “one-size-fits-all” daycare. The best daycare is the one that fits your family.

How to find daycares

You can start by:

• Asking other parents you trust
• Checking your state’s childcare search website
• Asking pediatricians, hospitals, or community programs
• Looking at licensed home-based and center-based programs

Make a short list of 3–5 options if possible.

Tour and ask questions

When you visit (in person or virtually), pay attention to how it feels, not just what they say.

 Things to look for:

• Calm, caring caregivers who speak kindly to children
• Clean but lived-in spaces (not silent, not chaotic)
• Babies being held, talked to, and comforted
• Safe sleep practices (babies on backs, empty cribs)
• Clear routines but flexibility for baby needs

Questions to ask:

• What is the caregiver-to-baby ratio?
• How do you comfort babies who are crying?
• How do you communicate with parents?
• How do you support feeding and sleep routines?
• What training do staff have?
• How long have caregivers been here?

Trust your instincts and how you feel matters.

How do I apply?

Each program is different, but most will ask for:

• An application form
• A fee (sometimes)
• Your preferred start date
• Your baby’s age
• Schedule needs

Some will place you on a waitlist, others may have openings sooner than expected.

It’s okay to apply to more than one daycare.

How do I decide which daycare is best?

Ask yourself:

• Do I feel comfortable leaving my baby here?
• Do the caregivers seem warm and responsive?
• Would I feel okay asking questions or raising concerns?
• Does this place respect my child as an individual?
• Does this work for our daily life (location, hours, cost)?

A daycare doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to feel safe, respectful, and caring.

What really matters for babies

Research shows babies thrive when caregivers are:

• Consistent
• Responsive
• Gentle
• Attentive to cues

Fancy toys or programs matter far less than relationships.

If it still feels hard

Choosing childcare can bring up guilt, worry, or mixed emotions. That’s normal.
Needing childcare doesn’t mean you’re choosing between love and care—your baby can have both.

You are doing your best with the information and options you have.

• Start looking early if you can
• Apply to more than one place
• Trust your gut
• Look for warmth, safety, and communication
• The “best” daycare is the one that works for your family

Citations:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Choosing child care for your baby. 

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). What to look for in a quality child care program.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Essentials for parenting infants and toddlers. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Child Care Aware of America. (2023). How to choose child care.

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2023). Selecting high-quality child care.

Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families. (2024). Consumer education for parents: Choosing child care. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

World Health Organization. (2023). Nurturing care framework for early childhood development.

NICHD Early Child Care Research Network. (2006). Child-care effect sizes for children’s development. American Psychologist, 61(2), 99–116.