When Norah Bielat of Chicago, Ill., went looking for daycare for her now 2-week-old daughter, Amelia, she knew just what she wanted – not just physically, but philosophically as well.

"We wanted a safe and stimulating environment for her, full of caring, trained professionals that will help her develop and grow," Bielat says. "My fiance and I also work full-time, so flexible hours were crucial. Like any new family, we were of course looking for something that wouldn't break the bank."

Thanks to Bielat's proactive approach, she found what she was looking for and Amelia will start in daycare in a few weeks, leaving Mom to go back to work worry free.

Dr. Jamie Loehr, co-author with Jen Meyer of The Playskool Guide to Baby's First Year (Sourcebooks, Inc., 2007), agrees with Bielat's approach, saying that the most important factor in looking for daycare may be your family's general philosophy and lifestyle. His take as a physician and father of four is that you're looking for more than just a place for your child to be watched – you're really looking for an extension of home.

"There are some families that have strong rules and not much flexibility and certain unwavering standards they like to maintain," Dr. Loehr says. "Other families are more relaxed and unscheduled. The best fit is to find a daycare that matches your principles. The best way to do that is to find parents who think like you and ask where they go for daycare."

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