I'm planning some tours later in October to try and find the perfect daycare for my LO. What are some questions you've asked that you think are helpful?
Could use some help from experienced moms here.....
I'm not experienced but I would ask if the employees are CPR/First Aid Certified as well as background checks. The one I picked does all that and i was quite impressed with it.
What's their sick/well policy? (Most places require a child to be fever/vomit free for 24 hours before returning)
What is their turnover rate when it comes to teachers? (You don't want the teachers/providers in the rooms changing every few months. That makes it hard for LO to get used to a new caregiver.)
How often will LO switch rooms? (My daycare has an "Under 1" room, and then the "younger" 1 year olds in a room...the "older" 1 year olds are the ones that can walk. Then they segregate the two year olds by age....there are 5 two year old rooms right now, lol but DS has always stayed with his same little friends when he switches rooms)
Im not experienced, but I asked What kind of schedules do they keep them on, What is a normal day like, What kind of feed back will i expect on a daily or weekly basis, What is your normal feeding schedule like (and changing schedule), What is your policy on breast milk bottles or formula bottles... etc... things that you would want them to do, just ask them questions on their policies...
But i will tell you this, if it's any good at all, when you go for the tour they'll tell you more than you want to know without you asking... I had a 45 minute tour and run-down of my place. it was awesome. i learned qualifications that all of them must have as well as all their policies.
IMO, the most important thing is what you will see visually. You will get a vibe if things are kept clean and orderly. The director, who gives the tour, should be full of information for you. If they seem to hold back information, I would be wondering why. The turnover of the staff is important, both for you and your child. And look at all the classrooms, not just the infant room. The time will pass quickly as your child moves from room to room. You don't want to make your decision based soley on the infant room if you plan to keep your child there for the duration of their preschool care. Security is important too. Make sure the doors are closed, and the main doors should be locked with limited access.
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DH and I were just talking about this on the way to work today!! These are all greta questions to ask! I am so happy that you asked this today!
BFP #1 October 2008 | m/c Thanksgiving weekend | November 2008 | 7 weeks 2 days BFP #2 February 2009 | m/c March 2009 | 4 weeks 3 days
Testing on mom and dad for possible reasons all came back normal.
BFP #3 8/4/2009 | DD born 3/28/10 @ 38 weeks
BFP #4 5/13/11 | m/c 6/15/11 | 8 weeks 6 days
BFP #5 2/13/13 | CP 2/19/13 | 4 weeks
BFP #6 3/21/14 | Heard the HB on 4/16 | m/c 4/21/14 | 9 weeks
Testing results all returned normal and baby was a GIRL.
More testing on mom and dad for other issues all returned normal results. BFP #7 10/15 | DS born 6/4/16 @ 36 weeks BFP #8 9/28/17 AHHH!!! | EDD 6/6/18
"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap & tell them about you, but since I didn't get the chance, would you please hold them on your lap & tell them about me?" All are welcome!
DH and I were just talking about this on the way to work today!! These are all greta questions to ask! I am so happy that you asked this today!
BFP #1 October 2008 | m/c Thanksgiving weekend | November 2008 | 7 weeks 2 days BFP #2 February 2009 | m/c March 2009 | 4 weeks 3 days
Testing on mom and dad for possible reasons all came back normal.
BFP #3 8/4/2009 | DD born 3/28/10 @ 38 weeks
BFP #4 5/13/11 | m/c 6/15/11 | 8 weeks 6 days
BFP #5 2/13/13 | CP 2/19/13 | 4 weeks
BFP #6 3/21/14 | Heard the HB on 4/16 | m/c 4/21/14 | 9 weeks
Testing results all returned normal and baby was a GIRL.
More testing on mom and dad for other issues all returned normal results. BFP #7 10/15 | DS born 6/4/16 @ 36 weeks BFP #8 9/28/17 AHHH!!! | EDD 6/6/18
"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap & tell them about you, but since I didn't get the chance, would you please hold them on your lap & tell them about me?" All are welcome!
Re: What are some good Q's to ask at daycare tours?
What's their sick/well policy? (Most places require a child to be fever/vomit free for 24 hours before returning)
What is their turnover rate when it comes to teachers? (You don't want the teachers/providers in the rooms changing every few months. That makes it hard for LO to get used to a new caregiver.)
How often will LO switch rooms? (My daycare has an "Under 1" room, and then the "younger" 1 year olds in a room...the "older" 1 year olds are the ones that can walk. Then they segregate the two year olds by age....there are 5 two year old rooms right now, lol but DS has always stayed with his same little friends when he switches rooms)
I'll try and think of some more....
Im not experienced, but I asked What kind of schedules do they keep them on, What is a normal day like, What kind of feed back will i expect on a daily or weekly basis, What is your normal feeding schedule like (and changing schedule), What is your policy on breast milk bottles or formula bottles... etc... things that you would want them to do, just ask them questions on their policies...
But i will tell you this, if it's any good at all, when you go for the tour they'll tell you more than you want to know without you asking... I had a 45 minute tour and run-down of my place. it was awesome. i learned qualifications that all of them must have as well as all their policies.
Wow! These are all great questions! Thanks!
I just thought of another one....is there a video monitoring system so I can go online during the day and see LO?
BFP #2 February 2009 | m/c March 2009 | 4 weeks 3 days
BFP #7 10/15 | DS born 6/4/16 @ 36 weeks
BFP #8 9/28/17 AHHH!!! | EDD 6/6/18
All are welcome!
BFP #2 February 2009 | m/c March 2009 | 4 weeks 3 days
BFP #7 10/15 | DS born 6/4/16 @ 36 weeks
BFP #8 9/28/17 AHHH!!! | EDD 6/6/18
All are welcome!