By Dorie
Dear Dorie I am expecting a baby in August and will need child care near the end of October or early November. How do I go about getting a list of quality infant care centers on the Westside?
Pregnant and Preparing Dear Preparing Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck with labor and delivery.
For provider research, each area in the state of California is required to have a local resource and referral agency for licensed child care. This agency serves all families with young children. Ours is called, “Connections for Children” and is located at 2701 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 253 in Santa Monica. They by telephone at (310) 452-3202.
Be prepared to tell them if you want home-based or center-based child care, full-time or part-time hours and if you need financial subsidy of any kind. They will provide a small list of centers for you to call and visit. If none of those work out, they will provide additional centers.
You may also want to consider a private caregiver (aka Nanny). They can be cost-effective and flexible for infant care. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no licensing or accreditation process for nannies so you have to go on personal referral.
Special kudos for advance preparation and again, good luck in the fall.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 24, 2007. Read the original PDF.