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Babies: 9 - 12 Months
What questions to ask at daycare interview?
I have a job interview tomorrow and we are going to interview daycares today! I am nervous about it, especially since I have been a SAHM since she was born. What questions are the best to ask?
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Re: What questions to ask at daycare interview?
You can google this and find huge lists and choose from there.
For me it was teacher/child ratios
Longevity of infant room employees
Do they move up based on age or milestones?
How often do they close for bad weather?
When do they call for sickness or other issues?
Do they take anything "different" that you choose to do - cloth diapers, special foods, etc. or are they rigid and take only disposables, feed from jars, etc.
What are their hours and what happens if you're late one night?
That should get you started!
Here's my list:
Interview with Daycare Director (Infant Care)
Name/address of Daycare Center:____________________________
Name of Director/phone #:___________________________________
Basics
A trustworthy center has been in business for a while and has solid, up-to-date credentials; clear rules and regulations; and firm policies on operating hours, pickup and drop-off times, and when children are too sick to attend.
Do you have space for my child? Yes / No
If not, can we get on a waiting list, and how long is it? ___________________________________________
What are your hours?__________________________________________
What other days is the center closed?_______________________________
How flexible are you with pickup and drop-off times?____________________
What are your fees?____________________________________________
Is there a late-pickup charge?_______________________________________
How and when do you bill?_________________________________________
What do you expect from me as a parent? ___________________________________________ ____
Staff
Employees should have at least two years of college education, a background in early childhood development (though many states don't require this), and training in CPR and other emergency measures. Caregivers should be responsible, enthusiastic, and well prepared. You'll want them to share your basic philosophies on key childrearing issues such as sleep, discipline, and feeding. A center with good staff benefits is likely to have a lower rate of teacher turnover, which means consistent care for your child.
What are the staff's credentials and training? _______________________________________________
How long does a staff member stay at the center on average?___________
How do you screen staff?_______________________________________
Is there a registered nurse on staff? _____________________________________
Size
Look for a center with small groups of children and plenty of staff. The preferred ratio of caregivers to children varies, depending on group size. For example, in a group of 10 children between the ages of 24 and 36 months, the National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends having one caregiver for every five children.
How are the kids grouped? Mixed age / Grouped age (You don?t want mobile infants in with tiny babies because the mobile(crawling, walking) kids tend to beat up on the babies if they?re lying on the floor. If the babies can?t lay on the floor they don?t get their tummy time in or learn to roll.
What is your teacher-child ratio in each group?___________________
Activities
A desirable daycare center will have a well-thought-out curriculum with a variety of activities. The schedule should change regularly so children have opportunities to learn new skills and don't get bored. TV and videos should play little if any part in the day's events.
How do you discipline a child? ______________________________________________________________________
Do the children watch TV or videos? If so, how are the programs selected? How often/long? ______________________________________________________________________
Do babies learn sign language once they reach the appropriate age or do you support the child?s use? ____
How are babies fed? Are they always held? -On your schedule or mine? ____________________________
How/Will I receive a recap of the baby?s day? ______________________________________
What activities do you do with infants? How long/often are they in swings, exersaucers, etc. _____
Hygiene and Safety
A good center is sanitary and observes basic safety rules. If you see poorly maintained equipment or the place seems dingy and cramped, keep looking.
Do you have a sign-in and sign-out sheet? Are the doors secure so strangers can't just walk in? -Cameras is use? ______________________________________________________________________
What is your sick-child policy? ___________________________________________________________
What is your policy on taking action in an emergency? _______________________________________
Do you have a safe, enclosed outside play area? Is there adequate padding under climbing structures? Are babies brought outside? ______________________________________________________________________
How often are the toys cleaned or replaced? ____________________________________________
Do you offer a webcam for parents to view their children remotely? ___________ Is there an additional charge? _______________
Food and Sleep
If your child has food allergies or dietary restrictions, discuss them with the director. For sleeping, bedding should be fresh and firm, and nap areas should be clean and quiet.
Do you provide diapers or do I? ___________________________
Where do the children sleep?_______________________________________________ (ideal if there?s a separate quiet area)
Do you have a nap schedule or do you work with mine? _________________________________________