Child Care
Once you are settled in your new home, you may need to find appropriate child care. If your university does not offer child care on campus, you will find a listing of nursery schools or day-care facilities in the yellow pages of the telephone book. Child-care facilities in the United States must be licensed by the state. They are inspected for cleanliness and safety and are authorized to accept a maximum number of children.
If you require after-school care for children in elementary school, look for a facility that can transport your child from school to the facility. Inquire about discounts. Some child-care centers offer discounts for enrolling two or more children or prepaying several months’ tuition at one time. Fees may be reduced if your family income is below a certain level.
If you would prefer a more “homey” atmosphere, you might wish to find someone who provides child care in his or her home. Look for a trusted friend or a licensed child-care provider. The license means that the provider’s home has been inspected by a state licensing agency for cleanliness and safety. It also means that the provider has passed a state background check. If you choose to hire a private “babysitter” to care for your child, check references carefully as few states license babysitters. Should you choose to employ a babysitter, verify his or her employment authorization. It is illegal to employ someone who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or who is not authorized by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to accept employment. Your foreign-student adviser can give you details.
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