Whether you’re traveling or just settling in a new city, child care is always a big question mark. The factors are complicated: Is the agency or center licensed? What are the hours when traveling parents can get child care assistance, and how far is the center from the hotel? Should you get references from other parents—and if you’re not from that city, how can you find references?
In most cases the questions are the same as when you’re searching for child care at home. You’ll want to know about the caregiver/child ratio, the history and safety record of the agency, and staff experience. You should find time to visit the center beforehand, to be sure the premises are cheery and clean, and to see if the center’s philosophy and activities are a good match for your child. In these matters, your intuition is always your best guide.
In Philadelphia several online resources can make the research easier for you. One is Child Care Aware (CCA) (800-424-2246; childcareaware.org), an organization partly funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services that is able to offer services to families in 99 percent of all populated zip codes in the US.
CCA also is an excellent resource in learning how to ascertain which child care centers will suit your needs and your child’s personality. The site offers articles to help you become a better informed parent, such as information on licensing and accreditation and what they mean, how to choose the best day care, and an “average rates finder” that will tell you what to expect to pay for child care in your zip code.