Parents looking for early childcare sometimes have a lot to consider. Early childhood educator Dr Sue Cherrington has tips for finding the right fit for your family.

Parents looking for early childcare sometimes have a lot to consider. How do you find the right fit for your family?

Take into consideration your child's temperament, what you want them to learn or experience and the values and approach of the caregivers, says early childhood educator Dr Sue Cherrington.

Childcare centres (government regulated)

At least 50 percent of staff have to be qualified and registered early childhood teachers.

They have varying philosophies, hours of business and age ranges.

Plusses:

More than one adult around means additional support if your child has behavioural challenges.

More kids to interact with, including older kids which is helpful for learning.

Things to think about:

What are the centre's systems for communicating about daily events and sharing what they've been doing and learning?

What kind of relationship do the caregivers seek to have with parents?

Does the centre make it easy for breastfeeding mothers to visit?

How flexible are they if your requirements change?

Home-based childcare, such as PORSE (government regulated)

No minimum qualification required for caregivers.

Plusses:

Small groups of children.

Retains a "family feel".

Kids do the kind of neighbourhood activities they might do with parents, anyway.

Things to think about:

Does the caregiver have a first aid certificate?

"I'd want somebody to have done a first aid certificate relatively recently because young children are very good at putting things in their mouths," Cherrington says.

Has everyone living in the home had a police check?

"It's probably not easy to ask a friend if they'd be willing to have a police check, but these are things you want to be thinking through."

Own home care (unregulated and not government-funded)

Nannies, whanau or informal arrangements between friends.

Other things to consider:

Environment

If possible, find an environment where your child can be active and have access to grassed areas and trees, Cherrington says.

" lots of movable equipment it's okay for them to rearrange and move things."

Look for an environment where kids have the option of working in small groups or spending one-on-one time with a caregiver or teacher, rather than being part of a herd.

Your child's temperament

Some kids are feisty and fearless - 'See you, Mum, see you, Dad, I'm off' with barely a backward glance…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details