Mary Poppins, Where Are You?

Finding qualified childcare is probably a new mom's biggest challenge. If you're expecting—and planning to return to work after baby is born—it's never too early to start researching your options for childcare.

Take a trip to a local park on a given weekday and you are likely to see it all: nannies, au pairs, family day care providers, babysitters, even grandparents, tending to the needs of babies and toddlers. Drive through any industrial business park and you're likely to see a daycare center nearby.

A majority of American moms today are working. If you're not one of the lucky ones fortunate to have on site daycare at your place of employment, you'll need to start interviewing potential care providers before baby is born. Keep in mind:

•    Daycare centers (like Next Generation, Kindercare, Bright Horizons) can often have waiting lists for infants. If this is the kind of care facility you are most comfortable with, set up a tour and plan to meet with the director as soon as possible. Even if you leave a deposit to hold your spot, you can always change your mind later. Daycare centers tend to be very expensive for infants, with the rates going down as the child ages. A big benefit to centers is they cater to working parents by opening early and closing later. And a large staff ensures you won't be left high and dry on the day of a big meeting if someone is sick.

•    Nannies are a great option if you favor the idea of keeping baby at home in his comfortable surroundings. Rather than using a big agency, many parents today are opting for online services like SitterCity.com and Care.com which allow you to browse through profiles and photos from the comfort of your home or office. You can also read reviews of the provider from other parents and have a background check conducted (sometimes for an additional fee). Nannies also require insurance and there are employment taxes to be paid.

•    Family day care providers are people (usually moms) who care for children in their own homes. If you are considering a family daycare, be sure they are certified by your state's childcare licensing agency. Also familiarize yourself with the state's rules regarding infants. In Massachusetts, for example, depending on the license issued to the provider, there may be room for only two children under the age of 2. Be sure to visit the care provider at least once outside of her business hours so you can speak with her one-on-one. Visit a second time when you can observe her at work with the other children.

•    Grandparents and other family members may be willing to watch your infant for nothing more than baby hugs and kisses, which can be beneficial for financial reasons alone! Baby also has the added benefit of bonding with family. But be sure to ask yourself how this will impact your relationship with the family member. If Grandma is frequently calling in sick, how will you cover for her? Do you both have the same child rearing philosophies? Can you have an honest conversation about issues or concerns that may come up?

These are just a few considerations when it comes to finding quality childcare. While it can seem totally overwhelming, the best advice I can give you is to start the process early. Visit a range of centers and facilities. Talk to other moms and get recommendations from neighbors, coworkers and members of your community. Think about your work schedule and the hours you will need child care coverage and then do the math. Full time child care can cost more than a mortgage payment so run the numbers a few different ways to help determine the best care arrangement for your family.