While many mothers have to work to help pay the bills, women increasingly want to combine having children with a fulfilling career. This doesn’t stop many of us feeling terrible about leaving our child to go back to work, especially if that child is still a baby. However, while finding the right childcare for your child may seem like a really daunting prospect, the vast majority of little ones thrive with their carers, and often develop close and loving relationships with them. If you opt for a nursery, childminder or nanny share, your child will be mixing with other children and is likely to make new friends – and as a bonus, their parents may become part of a new social network for you!

Many people think that good-quality childcare comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s worth remembering that whatever your position, there are plenty of affordable options around, from childminders to family members. You have new rights as a working parent too: rights to flexible working, to benefits designed to help with the cost of childcare, plus parental leave of up to 13 weeks unpaid per year until your child’s sixth birthday. For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Workingparents.

There are many different types of childcare, from childminders and day nurseries to nannies and willing family members. You can get information on childcare provision near you, including local registered childminders, day nurseries, nursery schools and out of school care from the Children’s Information Service (CIS) on 0800 234 6346, or go to www.direct.gov.uk. Finding the right type of childcare to suit your little one is crucial, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to research your options and really think things through.

Whatever you do, don’t leave finding childcare to the last minute. Nurseries often have long waiting lists, and the process of visiting, interviewing and gathering references – depending of the type of childcare you’ve chosen – can take months. If you know you’re going back to work soon after your baby is born, start looking during pregnancy. Consider your child’s personality and age, and your needs and requirements. Consider the route from home and from work. Research each option and don’t be afraid to double check or gather references. After all, this is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

The top priority for parents is knowing that their child is in safe hands. Childcare is registered and inspected by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). All registered providers are given a certificate of registration, which should be displayed on their premises. This includes childminders, who should be registered with their local authority, having been trained and regularly inspected (at least once every three years) by Ofsted. Parents can contact Ofsted on 08456 404040 to check if their childcare provider is registered. Likewise nannies – frequently viewed as the Rolls-Royce of childcare – need to have all their references thoroughly checked, as well as their experience and any Nursery Nursing Examination Board (NNEB) qualifications. An influx of childcarers from Eastern Europe has made finding a nanny easier and cheaper, but makes checking references much harder, so you are advised to use an au pair or nanny agency who can check references for you, carry out police checks and also find mother’s helps and more experienced carers for you. Bear in mind, au pairs aren’t expected to work more than five hours a day for five days a week, and aren’t suitable carers for a baby or small child when you’re not there, but this arrangement could work well if you or your partner work flexibly from home.

Draw up a list of the possible childcare options in your area, together with a list of questions you would like to ask. Then highlight your most important requirements (or must-haves). When you phone around, make sure you ask about your must-haves immediately, as this will help you discount some of the options straightaway. Arrange to visit those nurseries or childminders you like the sound of, and visit on more than one occasion, at different times of day, with and without appointments, so you can get a true picture of what they’re like. It is also worth considering grandparents or close relatives as carers for your baby. This should be handled carefully, however, and not imposed with guilt-inducing pleas. This arrangement works best if you draw up some firm ground rules before you get started, and agree payment between you, offering at the very least to cover all costs, such as food, play equipment and expenses.

Leaving your child with a carer for the first time is a very big and slightly scary step – especially for you! You need to ease your child into their new routine slowly and carefully, so plan to do this before you go back to work. Visit your new carer with your child on at least two occasions before you leave them alone. On your first visit, leave your child for 30 minutes while you stay well in the background, and then on the next visit leave them alone for 30 minutes, gradually building this up over the next few visits. Try to leave your baby only once or twice in the first week, if possible.

This can be challenging, but you must be positive or your child will pick up on your anxious mood. Get to your chosen nursery or childminder’s house five minutes before you need to leave, so that you have time to settle them in. Let the carer take charge and help your child, so your little one can get used to the carer’s voice and face, and feel secure. Take a toy or something familiar, like a small cuddly blanket, so there’s a link between home and the carer. Always say goodbye, but don’t linger, and tell your child, if they are old enough to understand, what time you will pick them up.

Make sure you check out all references - a good carer will expect this. If your child is old enough, talk to them everyday: ask how their day went, what they ate, who they spoke to, who they played with and if they slept. Ask your carer to keep a diary of activities throughout the day, and keep them informed of any potentially unsettling events - good or bad - at home. Look out for changes in your child’s behaviour and mood and don’t be afraid to tell the carer of your concerns. Make unexpected visits and always look at copies of the latest Ofsted report.

Make sure that you raise any worries with your child’s carer first, as a good nursery, nanny or childminder will want to know if you’re worried and then try to put things right. Think through your concerns carefully, express them calmly to the carer, and let them respond. Suggest ways around the problem and agree a plan of action. If it’s a carer at a nursery and things do not improve, ask to speak to the manager; or if you think the care provided by your child’s nursery or childminder may not be up to standard, call Ofsted on 08456 404040 and ask to make a complaint. With nannies and other home-based carers, always address your concerns - or those of others - immediately. Don’t forget, your child’s safety and happiness are of paramount importance.