As a parent or someone in a parenting role, it is likely that at some point in your child’s life you will need child care for your child, and selecting a child care provider is a major decision. This podcast walks you through some of the important considerations you may want to ask yourself as you choose the right provider for your child. There is also some guidance for preparing your child for the transition to a child care provider.

A child care provider plays many roles in your child’s day. From nurturer to teacher and role model, the child care provider that you choose will have a major impact on your child’s development. The ParentingMontana.org website is all about promoting the healthy development of children through their parents and those who play a parenting role throughout their lives. In conjunction with that website, Montana Department of Health and Human Services partnered with the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University to bring you this important information about selecting a child care provider.

Child care options vary from area to area, so parents should first identify the options available to you. Then you can narrow your list by filtering through a list of questions. The podcast walks you through an extensive list of considerations, and even highlights some ways to help prepare your child for their transition to child care once a child care provider has been selected. This will ease the process and increase your confidence in selecting the right provider for your child.