MANY WOMEN need or want to work outside the home. However, these are not the only ones who may need childcare. Parents may be studying, or feel the need for more help with children, or have a commitment that takes them away from the family home.

Some parents - and let's face it it is mostly mothers - feel better if they are not tied to looking after the children 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There are many options when looking for childcare. Parents should know what is available to them and pick one to suit their and their children's needs.

To find out what options may suit you best, ask yourself the following questions:

. Would you like your child or children to be cared for with other children or looked after exclusively by one person?

. Would you prefer the child to be looked after in your own home or somewhere else?

. Would you prefer or have you room for a person to live in?

. How long every day would you need childcare?

. How much money have your to spend on childcare?

Depending on the answers to these questions, you should be in a position to point towards the choice that is best for your family.

For example, if you only need part time child care, have little money to spend and plenty of room, perhaps you should consider options such as an au pair, a shared nanny or a regular student to help out.

Perhaps you have no extra room at home and would prefer your child to socialise. Then perhaps the childminder who is a mother at home herself, or a nursery or creche, would be the answer for you.

Or perhaps, after asking around the family, you may find that someone would love to look after your little one. This sort of solution can sound ideal, but remember to be professional when making arrangements, so misunderstandings about payment and reliability do not occur later on.

To find out what is available locally, ask around among your friends, at the local youth groups, community centres, shop window advertisements, church magazines or noticeboards. You could get in touch with childcare agencies, or you could advertise yourself, stating your requirements.

Cost for childcare varies considerably from place to place and with whatever type you have chosen. Expect to pay from £40 to £100 per week and upwards. The lower figure usually involves less time and just the essentials; the upper figure usually gets the more qualified childcare worker.

There are many pluses and minuses concerning all childcare options. Once you have found the one that's right for you, then comes the interview.

Sometimes the first contact is a phone call. It is so easy to forget important information, so do have a pad besides the phone with a list of questions and make out a page for each applicant. Then draw up a shortlist of carers whom you will meet.

Talking to her (again, it's virtually always a woman), ask her the obvious - name, address, references - and about her qualifications, age, experience, present job (including why she's leaving it). When you meet, give more details of what is expected of her; and hours and salary should be discussed.

Generally, take in her overall expectations, her attitude to children, diet, pets, smoking, housework, discipline. Don't forget to ask after her health, insurance and future plans. (Of course all the details depend on the particular job she is applying for.) Watch how she reacts to your children, if they are present, and follow up any "gut feelings" you have.

If visiting a creche, see if the children look happy. Are they involved in lots of activities? Is there a good selection of things to do? Is it in bright and nice clean surroundings? Is there outdoor play? How do the children and carers interact?

YOUR CHECKLIST when considering a creche could include: opening times; what happens on a normal day and holidays; cost and what it includes; the child to carer ratio; carers' qualifications; policy on discipline, food and potty training; insurance cover. Is food supplied or brought in? Is there any parental involvement?

There may be many more specific questions to be asked depending on your situation.

Once you have made your decision, make sure the transition period and change over is as smooth, secure and loving for your children as possible. You can help by preparing your baby or children for all the changes that may affect their routines.

Talk to them all, no matter how young, about what is happening, even if they do not understand you fully. Think of all the changes that will occur and try to minimise them by starting a routine now that prepares them. For example, get up and dressed early to familiarise them with this sort of schedule.

Try not to express any worries you may have to your children. Older children will ask lots of questions, so be prepared to listen and be patient. Make sure they always know that you will be back for them. When with them at home, give them a special time to be with you one to one and share the happenings of the day together.

It is always the parents' responsibility that their children should receive quality child care, but remember that parents have the first, most enduring and most meaningful relationship with their children, even if a child has daily childcare. Parents are the most powerful influence in a child's life.

I know that many parents feel guilty about their children spending too much time in childcare. Yet throughout history sharing the care of children has been a healthy thing to do - as long as the parents balance their work life with a strong, nurturing, loving family life as well.