Questions to ask a daycare provider

lnyeager

Right now, our 4 year old goes to a daycare center but we are interviewing an in-home daycare provider tonight.  Hopefully we will send the baby there and our 4 year old. I already have a list of obvious questions to ask (cost, hours, certifications, nap schedule, feeding schedule, days off, etc.) 

I'm just wondering if anyone can think of any questions to ask her that I may not have thought of.  What sorts of thing would you want to know?  (Honestly, I think alot of it will be based off of whether or not we get a good "vibe" from her.) 

lilbit923

What holiday hours does she expect to keep?
Does she want vacation time?
Does she have her own health insurance?
What does her firm or agency insist families pay for?

DH and I are tossing around the idea of dumping our daycare given their latest screw up. The daycare is closed the week of Christmas. Not Christmas Eve. The whole week. However, there are signup sheets for people to put their child's name down for the 20th, 21st and 22nd. I have Emma there but the time has changed. Instead of opening at 6:30 like they normally do, they will be at half staff and the house are 8a-5p. Huge problem for us since DH and I won't have a difference in our work schedules just because the daycare does.

It's a huge inconvenience and I'm tired of hearing "Well, none of the other parents has a problem with it." or "We've always done it this way." It would have been nice to know in a memo to try and prepare better for this. (Had I not paid attention to the sign up sheet I would have missed it. I thought it was something for the Christmas party.) As it is I'm having to set up a meeting to rearrange my shift over this to still get in my hours I'm required to and somehow wait 3 hours each morning to get Emma to daycare. It's a big mess.

BeetleLinz1125

I would want to know how she handles when she is sick or if kids that go to the daycare are sick.  Also, what does she do if she needs to take care of personal business, like her own doctors appointments or even vacation.  Does she do this by herself or does she have a backup when she's not available?  I know it's a "business" but I am sure everyone needs a personal day every now and then...especially those who take care of children!

 

Bexx24

I was going to say the same thing about the sick kids. The standard for most places is no vomitting or diharrea within 24 hours, and no over 100 temps.

And I remember what a hassel it was for my friend who took her kids to a home daycare who had a big hassle when her babysitter was sick. So I'd see if she has a back up person or if it would mean you taking the day off.

Other "special" things- allergy concerns? What are her policies on penuts, pets, etc.

And cleanliness. What does she use to sanatize and what are her proceedures? Daily, once a week, etc.

Emergency evactuation plans would be a concern of mine as well, depending on how many kids. Does she have a couple babies and need one of those cribs with wheels or what?

Mrs.Saxy

will they/she administer medicine?  oral, ear drops, nebulizer, lotions, diaper creams....any type?

vtkgirl77

How long has she been offering the daycare services? What security measures do they have in place in the house/yard? What security policies does she have? What other people will be in the house while the children are there? For example, are there other teenagers in the house? A boyfriend, etc.? Does she have any pets? Does she allow kids to watch TV during the day? Are you allowed to drop-in unannounced?

Oh, and I would want a list of references that I could call.

ETA: How many smoke alarms does she have and where are they located? Does she have a carbon monoxide detector in the house? I ask this because my friend recently had a carbon monoxide leak in her apartment. Without the detector, they never would've known. The neighbors chose not to evacuate immediately and had to be rushed to the ER after my friend called the fire department since the levels were so high they could cause damage.

KMac2784

I would ask about the number of kids shes allowed with being licensed/registerd.  Mine can have so many part timers and so many full timers.

TV schedule is a big one for me.  My lady (whom I LOVE) allows the tv on in the mornings until 9 when everyone gets there and from 4 - 6 when everyone is being picked up. No more than that. (My son would watch tv all day if he could)

I'd ask who else will be there besides herself during the day. My lady has a daughter in the seventh grade who is equally as awesome. And she has a son who is 21 that sometimes has friends over. (when I was younger at daycare my provider had a son, and he and his friends scared me so I didnt go there any longer) I don't have a problem with her son or his friends.

 I see you have a daughter, would you be comfortable with daycare providers husband watching her if she had her own appointment ect?  Or ask who her backup would be.

Curriculum. What she plans on teaching them and how she will have them prepared for preschool/ kindergarden.

 Good luck! You can never ask too many questions when it comes to your baby!

PinkBackPack

Be sure to ask for references.  Ask the references what they do and do not like about the day care provider.

I agree with the PP questions.   

lnyeager

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas.  The interview went great and my daughter loved it there.  We were going to switch her from her daycare center to the in-home daycare once the baby comes, but I think we may have her go there sooner so she can adjust.  Plus, it will save us about $200 a month...woo hoo!