When you're evaluating your out-of-home childcare options, it's important to consider how well--or how poorly--each childcare center or home daycare will meet the needs of your child. Obviously, this is where such factors as age and temperament come into play.
Your child's age
Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers have very different needs when it comes to childcare. Not surprisingly, given the huge developmental leaps that occur in just a matter of months, the very same environment that is ideal for an infant can be enough to bore a toddler to tears.
Infants (ages birth to eighteen months) thrive in environments in which there is a low caregiver-child ratio (ideally 1:1 but no more than 1:3) and a small group size (ideally three or less but certainly no more than four). Because they need to have the opportunity to build strong attachments to their caregivers, they should be cared for by the same caregiver day after day. These caregivers should genuinely love babies and should be prepared to respond to their needs as quickly and effectively as possible.
Babies need to be able to eat and sleep when their own bodies dictate (as opposed to when the clock says they should be!), but at the same time they need a predictable environment in which they can feel secure. Also, they need a safe yet stimulating environment in which they are free to explore (as opposed to being confined to playpens or cribs for unreasonably long portions of the day).
When you're shopping for care for an infant, you'll want to pay particular attention to the caregiver-child ratio and the interaction between the caregiver and your child. Yes, it's nice if the playroom is decorated in eye-pleasing primary colors, and it's an added bonus if the toy cupboard looks like a store window at Christmas time, but what really matters for children of this age is the quality of the relationship that they are able to forge with their caregivers. If your child's caregiver is too busy to cuddle him between diaper changes and feedings or seems disinterested in his day-to-day accomplishments, he simply won't receive the quality of care that he deserves.
Toddlers (ages eighteen months to three years) receive the best care when the caregiver-child ratio is relatively low (ideally 1:3 or less, but certainly no more than 1:5) and the group size is six or less (four if you can find it). They need caregivers who have the patience and energy required to contend with their ever-changing moods, and who have realistic expectations of their behavior. And they need a safe environment that encourages their natural love of physical activity and active exploration while providing them with plenty of opportunities to practice new skills, do things for themselves, and make simple choices. When you're looking for care for your toddler, you'll want to focus on such factors as the safety of the physical environment (something that's critically important because most self-respecting toddlers have a knack for zeroing in on the only hazard in a particular room in a matter of seconds!) and the way the caregiver interacts with the toddlers in her care. (After all, it takes a very tolerant person to put up with the tears and tirades of three very vocal two-year-olds.)
Preschoolers (ages three to six) do well when the caregiver-child ratio is appropriate (i.e. ideally 1:5 or less, but certainly no more than 1:8). They need caregivers who have the time and patience to field their endless questions. And they need an environment that provides them with access to age-appropriate activities and equipment as well as plenty of opportunities to build upon their increasingly sophisticated language skills and to socialize with other children their own age.
When you're selecting care for your preschooler, you'll want to consider such factors as the quality and quantity of play materials and the availability of other children his own age--factors that frequently put home daycare homes at a disadvantage. Unless the caregiver in your neighborhood belongs to the toy of the month club, her house is likely to lack some of the bells and whistles that larger centers have to offer. Likewise, unless she specializes in caring for preschoolers rather than infants or toddlers, your child is less likely to enjoy the same number of interactions with children his own age as he would enjoy in a larger center. (Note: This is not meant to imply that more is necessarily better. Certain children thrive in settings with fewer children. And, what's more, a cupboard full of toys is no substitute for the care of a loving and committed caregiver, wherever you may find her.)
And here's some more food for thought: While it's important to find an environment that meets your child's needs today, you'll want to be sure that the situation will be suited to him for the longterm. Otherwise you'll be back to square one in another year or two and actively looking for another care arrangement for your child.
Unfortunately, it's not easy to find a childcare arrangement that can grow with your child. Some centers provide excellent programming for toddlers and preschoolers, but simply don't have low enough caregiver-child ratios to deliver top-notch infant care. Likewise, some home daycare providers are wonderfully responsive to babies, but lack the patience required to work with toddlers and preschoolers. You should consider yourself blessed indeed if you manage to find a caregiver or facility that is capable of providing your child with an excellent standard of care from birth until the time he starts school.
Your child's temperament
Your child's temperament is every bit as important as his age in determining the suitability of a particular childcare arrangement. Quiet, shy children may feel more comfortable in home daycare environments than in large childcare centers. Likewise, particularly active and outgoing children may find home daycare homes too quiet for their liking (particularly if the others in care are younger children), and may prefer the buzz of activity at larger childcare centers instead. The best way to assess the fit between your child and a particular childcare environment is to give him the opportunity to test drive it for himself. Take your child along when you visit childcare centers or home daycare homes and note how comfortable he is with the caregiver and other children.
While finding a suitable childcare arrangement for your child can take a bit of legwork, the time you devote to your search is time well spent.