Though all child care arrangements require careful research and thoughtful planning, obtaining child care for infants (birth - 18 months) carries some additional considerations.

• When is the best time to begin supplementary child care?
• How do you establish a good system of exchange between you and the caregiver?
• What is the ideal caregiver to child ratio and group size for infants?
• What sanitation procedures are used in an infant care setting?

The Best Time To Begin Child Care
Infants are most affected by stranger anxiety and separation anxiety between the ages of six and thirteen months. These feelings tend to peak between the ninth and twelfth month. It makes sense then to begin a new childcare arrangement in the fifth or sixth month (or earlier), unless, of course, one of the parents has the freedom and the inclination to be at home until these feelings begin to subside, usually around month fourteen.

What Goes On at Child Care?
You need to know what goes on in the life of your infant when they are away from you. Whether you choose center care, family child care or in-home care for your infant, a reliable system of reporting information is essential. There are four key areas you will want to know about every day.

What your baby eats and drinks
Included in this category are feeding times and amounts of food or formula. Does your baby spit up a lot after feeding? Are there discrepancies between their eating patterns at home at child care?

Diaper changes
Again, how often and when? Anything unusual about bowel movements should be noted.

Sleep patterns
How often does your infant nap and for how long? This is particularly important information if she is having problems sleeping at home.

Activity
What does your baby do? This is where you keep up with their growth and development. It's the hardest kind of information to communicate effectively on paper, so take time to discuss this with your care provider daily.

Your caregiver, likewise, needs this same information. Child care should always be a collaborative effort between parents and caregivers. The more you communicate, the more you contribute to the overall quality of care for your infant.

Group Size & Staff-Child Ratios
For infants especially, group size is important. Large groups can be disturbing to sensitive babies even if the staff-child ratio is optimal. The National Association for the Education of Young Children makes the following ratio and group size recommendations for infants:

One caregiver for every two or three infants. Maximum group size recommended is nine. However, six is considered more appropriate.

Florida allows ratios and group sizes above these recommendations; one caregiver for every four infants. Nevertheless, childhood development research clearly shows that smaller ratios and group sizes facilitate a higher level of care.