Even if you're already certain which kind of childcare arrangement you prefer, it can be a good idea to get a sense of your full range of options. You may be surprised by what you find.
When looking for a daycare center or home daycare that's right for your baby, ask other parents for advice and shop around. Visit as many places as you can, and try to spend as much time as possible at each one at various times of the day, talking with the employees, directors, and parents to get a sense of what the different facilities are like. Pay attention to how the staff interacts with your baby, too.
If you're looking for a babysitter or nanny, get references from others and follow up on them. Then consider doing a trial run by having the sitter or nanny watch your baby for a few hours while you do an errand or take care of some things at home.
Find out about the pros, cons, and costs of various childcare options.