2nd Trimester
rachelleigh
member
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Daycare questions
rachelleigh
member
Hello all,
DH and I are visiting our first daycare tomorrow - does anyone have a list of questions that we should ask? Thanks!
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Re: Daycare questions
I asked:
What is the ratio of teacher to child at each age group?
How do they sterilize their toys?
What happens if you're late picking them up one day?
What is the limit on the "pick up list"? (ours is me, DH, MIL, Mom and my best friend who's daughter also goes to that daycare) And what is the process for adding an extra person one day? (if my sister is in town and helping me out)
Who sets the feeding schedule?
What is the sickness policy?
Rate?
Do they allow daytime mommy visits?
Do they have a webcam?
What's the average turnover of teachers?
And then I talked to the baby teachers about holding my baby and rocking it - how do they interact with the children?
go when the children are awake in the morning and not during nap time. Talk with the teachers. Ask how often they disinfect the toys. Ask how many teachers per child. Are they rated by the state or have any special certifications?
Our DD hated daycare because she is a quiet only child and was put into a room with 24 kids, she was in shock. She does a lot better with an in-home sitter. Had she been exposed at a younger age she would have done better.
There is an interview sheet on babycenter.com. Just search "day care interview" and it should pop up.
I'd ask, too, about academics. Do they actually try to teach the kids something, or is it just a babysitting service? That was the deal-breaker for us on one of our options.
How many infants per carer?
Do you have to provide diapers/wipes/snacks?
Where do the infants nap?
Do you provide linens for crib?
Are infants separated from toddlers?
What are the qualifications of the carers?
What security measures do they have?
Sick policy?
I dont' know where you live but each state has a State Agency that licenses home and center daycares. Attached is link of my states tips on choosing a daycare which includes some questions. This could be helpful to you. Or go on your state website and find something similar.
https://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/ChoosingChildCareFINAL_ENGLISH.pdf
I have a great list that I used when I went to interview. It is in Excel if you want me to email it to you.
From my experience, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable there. You just know.
Also, ask about the wait list and how they notify you when your spot is open. I've heard of places that you must have to start paying for if your spot opens up early even if you're not ready to start bringing your baby there. Be sure that you can start bringing the baby when you need them there without paying for unused weeks.
WOW she hit this one right on the nose, i used to work at a daycare, and it seemed like all our newborn mommies were so unaware of any of our policies or procedures, i might also ask about breast milk if you plan to pump, at our daycare center we had moms bring in their pumped milk (labeled of course) and we heated the milk up in the bottle in a crock pot, we also welcomed nursing mother visits!
sorry i quoted the wrong post, this is the one i meant to quote, kudos to you for knowing your stuff!
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO