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Look, you can’t just drop junior off with the gypsies, this is going to take a little planning.  Here are 6 tips:

1. Every Wisconsin County is served by some sort of childcare referral agency. Google search Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) for your county. Liability prevents CCRRs from directly recommending a specific center, but typically your local CCRR will have lists of centers available.  CCRR will also help guide you depending on the type of care you need.  They can also share guidance of financing and affordability.
2. Decide which of three categories are best for you:
   1. Licensed Group Child Care Centers (LGCCC)– found in commercial buildings. These facilities typically care for more children and separate into age groups and are more structured
   2. Licensed Family Child Care Centers – found in homes.
   3. Certified Family Child Care Centers – found in homes.
3. The family centers (b and c above) are more likely to provide an environment similar to your own home environment while LGCCC are more structured with more organized activities.
4. Think safety, training and meals.
   1. Most CCRR will share sample questions to ask.
   2. Inquire about how discipline is handled.
   3. Ask about how communication is handled between families and staff.
   4. Inquire about how meal-times work.
   5. Will the provider assist with any medications?
   6. What is the child to staff ratio?
   7. What are the fee schedules and policies? Can you pay per day or do you have to commit to entire weeks even if your child is there only a partial week?
5. Tour the facility.
   1. Observe how staff interacts with the children.
   2. How clean is the facility?
   3. Are age-appropriate toys and activities available?
   4. Are indoor and outdoor facilities hazard free?
6. Look for rating services like YoungStar. YoungStar does not report on every facility.