It’s preferable to attend a class than to try to learn a set of instructions from a book or Web site (although it’s good to have these materials available to refresh your memory).

Your instructor will use a child-size mannequin to demonstrate how to perform every aspect of the technique, such as how far back to tilt your child’s head and just how hard to strike her back if she’s choking on something. Practicing each step of CPR yourself, with an experienced instructor to guide you, will help you learn how to do it and remember what you’ve learned so you’ll feel prepared in the event of an emergency.

You can even have a certified instructor come to your home or another gathering place to teach a group you assemble. You might invite babysitters, grandparents, and anyone else who cares for your child. Or invite other parents and make a party out of it. The Red Cross asks for about three weeks’ notice to schedule an in-home class, with a minimum of six people and a maximum of 12.

Call your local American Red Cross chapter to find out where the nearest class is being offered or to schedule an in-home class.  During the CPR class, the instructor will teach you what you need to know in the event of a life-threatening emergency — if your child is choking or isn’t moving or breathing because of a fall or a near drowning, for example. She’ll also teach you accident prevention and childproofing measures.

A typical infant and child CPR class consists of two sessions: The first teaches how to care for babies from birth to age 1. The second addresses children from age 1 through age 12. The full class usually lasts about five hours, or four hours for just one of the sessions. The techniques are different for babies and older children, so you may want to learn both.  Prices vary according to where you live, but they typically cost $25 to $45 per person. These fees include take-home reference materials.

It’s worth this small investment of money and time to learn skills that could save your child’s life.  For those who can’t attend a CPR course, the American Heart Association offers a Family & Friends Anytime Personal Learning Program kit. It contains a small inflatable mannequin, a DVD, and a booklet of CPR instructions that can be used individually or to teach your family or a group. (Learning the technique with the kit won’t certify you in CPR, however.)

Ideally, a good home daycare should have:A good reputation
A good home daycare should have a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and nurturing environment. Contact current clients for references.  Also, trust your own first impressions.  If you don’t get positive feedback, and it doesn’t feel right when you’re there, keep searching.  Established ground rules
A home daycare should be flexible; where children can be picked up/dropped off as per parents needs, but it should also have clearly established rules for everything from operating hours to how to handle emergencies. That way you know the provider takes her responsibility, your baby, seriously.

Look for a provider with a strict sick policy. Find out which illnesses mean your child has to stay home and for how long. A tough policy may inconvenience you if your child is ill, but keeping sick children away from each other makes sense. A good home daycare helps cut down on illness by requiring all children to have current immunizations and regular checkups.

Make sure the provider has an open-door policy where parents are encouraged to stop by unannounced. This will ensure you that the caregiver has nothing to hide. A fun, stimulating curriculum
The best home daycares have structured schedules that include plenty of time for physical activity, quiet time, group programs, individual activities, meals, snacks, and free time. TV and videos should play little or no part in what your child does all day. A well-thought-out curriculum stimulates your child’s development and makes daily life more fun. Also, look for a home daycare that offers regular outings; as long as they’re well supervised, stimulating, and age-appropriate (trips to the park, the museum, etc.), these are good for your child and are often something large centers can’t offer.

Ensure the provider offers a wide range of age-appropriate toys that will encourage your child’s development and, as she gets older, stimulate creative, imaginative play.
Children should also have the chance to play outside every day (weather-permitting, of course) — running, jumping, and skipping are good for them physically, mentally, and socially. As with outings, make sure children are adequately supervised while they play outside. If you live in a city, where many houses don’t have safe outdoor play yards, make sure the home daycare has the next best thing, a spacious indoor area.

If you have to bring your child’s food, find out the provider’s guidelines. Some may require you to pack only nutritious foods; that’s okay — caregivers who don’t restrict candy or other sweets may not have your child’s best interests at heart. If the provider does offer food, find out what she serves at meal and snack times (and make sure she’s aware of your child’s allergies, if he has any). Does she encourage healthy eating habits and cover all the food groups? If not, keep looking.