Seeking a Infant Day Care

R.,
Have you tried getting referrals from your local Chamber? Registered care takers are often listed in Town websites and/or city websites. Another good resource is your local CDC chapter. You can find them on line by area and they can fax you licensed care takers with their addresses.
K. F.
Wellness Consultant/Mentor
Stayin Home and Lovin It
http://kellyis.stayinhomeandlovinit.com

There should be a Community Care Licensing in your area that has a list of providers. Here is the number is Riverside, CA ###-###-#### - contact them and maybe they can give you the number for your area to call. Also try Craigslist.org and search for your area.

My advice is to first, seek referrals from trusted sources: family, friends, etc. Use only a licensed childcare provider. The regulations in California are so minimal, in my opinion. They require no education or training to speak of. Minor criminal violations can be waived. There's no requirement for a written behavior management plan, health plan or policies and procedures. Curriculum and culturally-relevant activities aren't required. The list goes on . . . I would make sure the provider's philosophy is based on love and concern, experience and research, as well as being closely-matched to your own. Make sure the environment is pretty relaxed for your infant and that the provider is willing and able to respond immediately to your child (in other words: not a baby assemply-line type of environment). Craigslist can be sketchy, and it can also be good. Be sure to check out any potential providers at DSS/CCL, who will tell you about any violations. You can also ask questions specific to the provider: people in the home, pets, off-limits areas, etc. Here's an online checklist: http://www.childcareaware.org/en/child_care_101/evaluatin...

Try these websites:
Daycare.com - Daycarebear.com - daycareresource.com

Also adding to the CCLD (community care licensing division) suggestion. There you will know if the have an updated license.

M.