Daycare questions

melimelg

Hi Ladies,

I just hit the 3 month mark and I figured it would be a good time to start looking at daycares for LO. I know of a few places around here that are the bigger daycares but I would prefer to find someone that does it in their home with only a few other kids. I know a few people that have kids so I am going to start asking for references.

But what are some other ways you ladies have found your caregiver/daycare. What kinds of questions should I ask? I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with making sure I ask the right questions and I find the right place for LO.

Any tips/suggestions would be most appreciated!

TIA!

blondie75

Here's a list of questions that I used

?         Credentials and training of staff

o   First aid

o   CPR

o   Child development

 

?         What is your staff turnover?

 

?         Number of staff and staff mix ? child to staff ratio

o   Number that work with infants

o   Are infants separated into separate groups?

o   Who oversees infants

  

?         How are younger and older children separated?

 

 ?         What is the philosophy of center?

o   What do you do when baby cries?

o   How do feedings work?  When children are older, do parent bring lunch? Or does center provide?

o   Are cloth diapers allowed?

o   What is the discipline policy?

o   Where/how do children nap?

  

?         Do you have an open door policy on parent visits?

 

?         What is sick policy?

o   How is medicine given?

o   When must a child stay home?

o   Vaccination requirements?

 

?         When do children move to a next group? 

 

 ?         How strict are hours?

 

 ?         How does payment work ? once a monthly, weekly?

 

  ?         How does waiting list work?

 

dpdw

I started my search at my county's website which lists the licensed daycare providers, both centers & "in home".  You might check www.eec.state.ma.us  to see if they provide a list.

I narrowed down the list by calling them & asking a few general questions.  Then I visited the ones that met my criteria & I decided based on the visit.  Here are the questions I asked. 

 

Telephone Interviewing
? Do you have an opening? _____________________________________________________________
? What are your hours?  _________________________________________________________________
? Are you licensed? Where?  How long?  _____________________________________________________
? How many children do you care for? What are their ages? ______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? What is your vacation and illness policy? ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
? What are your fees? ___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? When are the fees due?  ________________________________________________________________
? What is the fee if you pick your child up late? ________________________________________________
? Do you provide receipts for income tax credits and flex spending accounts? ________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Are you a member of the food program (the federally funded Child Care Food Program-CCFP)? ________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Are meals included in the price? If so which ones (e.g. breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner)? How does this differ with an infant? _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? What will I be expected to provide?  _______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? What training or experience do you have? __________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Do you smoke? _______________________________________________________________________
? Do you have pets? _____________________________________________________________________
? Do you charge for sick days or when the child is on vacation? ___________________________________

? Do you close for holidays and if so which ones? What is your snow day policy?  _____________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? What is the policy on sick children?  _______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Face-to-Face Interviewing

? Tell me about yourself. How did you decide to become a provider? What do you like most about being a provider? _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Can you describe what a typical day might be like for my child? __________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
? Describe the feedback I will receive about my child at the end of the day. __________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

? Do you hold infants during feeding? _______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? How much time do infants spend in the crib, play pen, and/or walker? ____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? How do you deal with parent/child separation?  ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Can you show me the equipment and toys you have and where the children play? __________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Where do children nap? ________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? How have you child-proofed your home? ___________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

? Describe how you discipline. _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Describe how you would handle toilet training. _______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Are there organized activities you would provide for the children? ________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

? What are some things my child will learn here? ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

? What are your house rules? _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Are children ever transported in a vehicle while in your care? If so, do you have a valid driver's license? __

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Has a child ever been injured in your care? _________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

? How do you handle emergencies? ________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? Do you have (CPR) training? Do you carry liability insurance? __________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

? Do you have a criminal record or have you ever been arrested or charged or convicted of more than a minor traffic offense?  ___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

? Can parents "drop in" for a visit? __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
? How many days did parents need to use alternative care this past year? ___________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

? Can I see your contract?

? Can you provide me with a list of references?
? What is the application process?

? What do you want to know about me and husband? 

 

AlisaS

Make sure the care-givers friends/family do not drop in during business hours as you don't know their background - it is a safety issue.

luvmagoldn

You've already gotten some great responses.  I would also ask about the provider's holiday schedule and personal vacations.  Does she have assistants who keep the DC open or back up providers when she's on vacation?  Do the children have the run of the house or is there a particular area designated for the DC (the basement for example)?  Is there an area to play outside and if so, how often do the kids play outside?  What kind of toys/equipment is there for outside play?

melimelg

Thanks for the tips ladies!