Childcare: A Guide for NYC Parents

Securing safe and loving childcare is one of the most complex jobs a parent can face. The choice of how your child will spend the day when you cannot be there is a personal one that must be tailored to the individual needs of each family. With so many options available, the task can seem daunting. According to a recent reader survey at Parentsknow.com, a website dedicated entirely to parenting in New York City, only slightly more than half of respondents are very satisfied with their childcare provider and 15 percent are not satisfied at all. With these unsettling figures in mind, experts in the field were consulted as well as parents with first-hand accounts, and have been compiled below into a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about finding loving and affordable childcare in NYC.

New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) provides comprehensive information for a full range of childcare services — from locating a daycare program, to obtaining public records on childcare providers, and more. You can also search their website for registered daycare centers; listings include contact information, licensing, and breakdown of the ages of children currently enrolled. www.ocfs.state.ny.us; (518) 473-7793.

NANNIES

New York City mom Lisa Merriam says that a nanny is not merely a household worker, but more a part of the family. "I feel as if I’ve hired a permanent new member of the family," says Merriam. "If that isn’t the situation for others, I suggest they look harder to find a person with the right fit. They should examine their interaction with their nannies to see if they are doing everything possible to make the relationship equitable, respectful and loving. My child is my treasure and her heart, mind and soul are to be placed always in the most loving, nurturing hands possible."