Choosing a daycare provider can quickly become a very arduous process.  You are entrusting an organization or group of strangers with the well-being of your child.  This alone is a source of stress for any parent.   The last thing you want is constant anxiety in the pit of your stomach telling you something could go wrong while you're busy working.  You want two things: peace of mind while you're away and a safe, happy child upon your return.

It is imperative that you choose a facility that encourages your child to have fun, while at the same time, helping to develop his/her skills.  Good centers have a full schedule that consists of a mix of activities that lead to creativity such as storytelling, dancing, and singing, which all help the child learn instead of just playing all day.

The references you talk to should be extremely satisfied with the center overall.  If they are unsure or have any reservations whatsoever, you probably will as well.  In addition, if you can find references not directly supplied by the center, it will also help provide a more trustworthy assessment.

The providers should interact with the children in an energetic, patient, calm and enthusiastic manner.    They should also have a solid, yet reasonable philosophy about discipline, feeding and sleeping.    Furthermore, they should be educated with a background in child development, along with emergency first aid training and knowledge of CPR.

A quality center is clean, well lit and ventilated. The center should have a cheerful atmosphere.   Strict policies should exist relative to keeping toys and equipment clean and in safe working order, and when and how often hands are washed.  The center should have an emergency plan, with first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and childproof storage areas.  Also look for signs of baby-proofing such as electrical outlets that are covered, and safety gates for stairs.

The center should follow set hours of operation, rules governing pick up and drop off, have a strict policy on sick children, and require all children have the necessary immunizations to reduce the spread of illness.

Finally, if a center does not have an open door policy that allows for unannounced visits, the odds are that it is most likely hiding something.  Just be sure to spend the necessary time to choose a center that is appropriate for both your child and for you.  And trust your gut instinct when assessing a center's viability, because as most of us have learned, it's probably spot on.