You're going to a much-anticipated social event and have successfully secured a babysitter. So far, so good. But does the sitter have what it takes to ensure your outing is worry-free for you and safe and happy for your kids? Childcare experts say trust and crisis management are the two most important skills the caregiver should possess. What else?

Desiring quality child care is a given. But determining what type of child care provider who meets your family's needs, lifestyle, budget, and even area where you live takes some research and discussion. After the decision has been made that quality child care is sought, ask yourself these questions first before moving on to what type of child care provider you want.

Many parents enter the child care profession as a way to remain with their own children while earning an income by providing quality care for others' kids as well. And, many child care providers find the career so rewarding and enriching that they opt to remain in the profession even after their kids enter school and even graduate. But being a child care professio

Summer can present some planning challenges for working parents of young children. Swim lessons, special camps, amusement parks, and special field trips can require planning, transportation, work schedule flexibility, and affordability. But, there are plenty of solutions for some summer fun.

Should you or shouldn't you start your youngster in kindergarten in the fall? Parents are increasingly mulling over the decision based a child's birthdate, social skills, or overall readiness. "Redshirting" a kid, as often describes the practice of holding a child back to develop stronger academic readiness, is utilized for kids with late birthdays and social immaturity. Its merits are debated, and parents need to ultimately decide what is best for their kid.

Parents Should Watch How Child Acts, Speaks and Plays

A child may be a precious chubby-cheeked cherub that draws oohs and aahs, but a healthy baby doesn't mean that parents shouldn't watch for signs of developmental delays.

What is a Mother's Helper and how does the role differ than that of a babysitter or in-home provider?

With 61% of children between the ages of birth and 6 years in daycare, it's important that parents work closely with their child's care professional while potty training. When you child is ready for potty training, the right potty training guidance and supplies can make all the difference.

When it’s time to put your child into a daycare or pre-school, there is some homework involved. Here are the top ten safety tips that are useful when looking for a pre-school or daycare center.

Running a childcare facility can be an exhausting, 24/7 job. There are always kids to keep track of, records to update, fees to collect, bills to pay, reports to write, and so on. Often, your To-Do List seems both frighteningly endless and drearily cyclical.

If you're not careful, trying to keep up with all your duties could wear you ragged. You also run the risk of spreading yourself too thin. And that could spell the difference between delivering quality and substandard childcare.

Sole proprietor, Inc, LLC, - What does it all Mean? Your childcare is a business. While you may not need to formally create a legal business, there are options to consider if you have an especially large operation, or employ more than one person. From a legal standpoint, different types of entities provide limited liability. This is something you would want to discuss with a lawyer. Different entities also provide different tax advantages and disadvantages. The type of entity really depends on the business and how many people own the business. An accountant should be able to advise you on the best entity for your situation.

You have plugs in all your outlets, locks on all your cabinets, and have crawled the floor looking for any dangerous items within reach of a toddler. Your home may be safe for children, but there are other steps you should consider to plan for safety.

Maybe you already have a website, or maybe you’re thinking about creating one. Either way, there are some basic things you can do to make your website as friendly and easy to use as possible for parents and other providers who will visit it. A good website should be informative and easy to navigate.

Preschool programs that properly stimulate and nurture a young child's mind will result in better-prepared children by the time they start school, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

School breaks give kids and caregivers much-needed refueling time, with relaxed schedules and more play time. During these breaks, however, children may get the impression that rules also have been relaxed, an assumption that can lead to dangerous situations or even accidents. Child safety is just as important during these breaks as when school is in session.

Winter and/or Spring Breaks from school are quickly approaching in many districts, and working parents should look now to find quality care for their youngsters.

Stephen Harper has long opposed national social programs that benefit women and poorer Canadians. In a 1994 speech to the National Citizens Coalition, Harper said the Reform Party's great achievement was killing universality in programs such as family allowance and unemployment insurance. Universal social programs were "virtually dead as a concept" he crowed.

The Liberals, who introduced a $5 billion, five-year national child care plan in their budget last year, say if re-elected they will make it a permanent federal program and commit at least another $6 billion to keep it going until 2015.

It was first proposed in 1970 – a program that would provide affordable day care across the country. It was promised when Brian Mulroney and the Conservatives swept to power in 1984. And again four years later. By the time Jean Chrétien's Liberals did some political sweeping of their own in 1993, promises of a national day-care strategy had fallen victim to the realities of a government wallowing in debt. With budgetary knives sharpened and drawn, day care would have to wait.

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows day care centers in the South are a significant source of indoor allergens. Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences studied 89 day care centers in two counties in North Carolina and found significant allergen levels in all of them. That’s a cause for concern given the number of hours children spend in child care. According to the United States Census Bureau, 63 percent of children under 5 years old spend nearly 40 hours a week in day care.

It's an opportunity for conversation between peers in a controlled setting. Children can talk about their activities of the day or anything that comes to their inventive minds. Because they are sitting near each other and engaged in an activity they enjoy and want to do, children are more able to talk and take turns listening. A shy child may find it easier to participate in the conversation because it is calmer and more structured than some other social settings during the day.

Ask many working moms or stay at home moms what the idyllic job situation would be and most will say, "If I could only work at home, make some extra money and still spend time with my family."

You’ve called and called and finally found a provider you want to meet. What now? Here are some tips to help you when meeting with a potential provider. Remember, you know what’s best for your child. Make sure you feel comfortable with the person and the environment before you leave your child. A little anxiety is normal - you’re leaving your baby with somebody else. If you question at all whether your baby will be safe there, don’t leave her.

If your child is in daycare, it’s likely that you’ll eventually disagree with something your childcare provider does or says. Recognizing when to say something, and how to approach the subject with your provider, will help maintain a positive relationship between you and your childcare provider and a healthy environment for your child.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Starting soon, Missouri children will have to be vaccinated against chickenpox before they can attend many licensed daycare, preschool or Head Start ...