lets talk daycare...what should I ask?

sunflwr2 · June 2011

I'm due September 14th. Is it too early to start researching daycares? a friend of mine told me her daycare had a 8 month waiting list!
I don't really know what to ask when I call, considering the baby isn't even here yet!
When did you start looking at daycares, and what did you ask them when you spoke with them?

Battlebaby09 · June 2011

Depends if you are interested in BF, but that was a big issue for me. Did they accept breast milk and what were their policies on it. How many babies were to a caretaker? Our state ratio in SC is 5 to 1. I was promised better than that and did not get it, but so so on that I guess. You can also look up daycare ratings on DCF sites for your state to see if they have violations. What ages are kept together? Do they have an open door policy for parents to visit when they like? If you BF, do they have accommodations for you to go on lunch if you have the option? Those are for starters... I will think for more.

karinothing · June 2011

Daycares here have a 12-18 month waiting list. 8 months is great! I got on waiting lists before I was pregnant ha ha. Stuff I asked about

1. Will they cloth diaper?

2. Can i bring in homemade food?

3. How many caregivers per child?

4. What kind of structured program do they have for when the kid gets old?

katyclark13 · June 2011

I looked early with DD.

Knowing what I know about where Ava goes now....the most important thing to me is this:

How long have your teachers been there?

What are your rates?

What days are you closed?

Go in to the room and meet the teachers. Seeing and meeting the people that are going to care for your LO is the biggest thing....when you drop them off that first time.

sam&tm · June 2011

I'm due October 18th and started looking a couple of months ago. Now that I've compiled my list of daycare's I like and dislike we now have enough info needed to make a decision and work on a budget. Thankfully none of the daycare's here have wait lists as of yet.....but I will still follow up w/ them every so often.

Good luck!

lenabug · June 2011

The PPs have all mentioned great questions. Some other topics are:

Emergency procedures.

What happens if you are late (stuck in traffic, etc?), do you have to pay if your child is ill and cannot attend (usually do have to pay), if THEY are ill, and there is a closure (this has happened for me before at 2 separate daycares). When are children required to stay home (sniffles, or high fever, or somewhere in between), and how strictly do they adhere?

Handwashing policies?

How are disputes between children handled (biting, hitting, etc)

Are rates locked?

What does a typical day's schedule look like? Are naps required for toddlers? Older?

Do they accept children drop in, or only on a regular schedule?

I have had my children in several "reputable" daycares, and there were always issues- a biter at one they refused to separate out, sick kids always allowed in, etc.... Finally switched to an in-home gal who is an ANGEL. Love her, my kids love her, she is amazing. So my suggestion is to not rule out a registered in- home care if you can't find another that suits your needs.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · June 2011

What holidays do they close?

What is their policy on infants crying. We actually left our first one because they had majorly differing views on what should be done when my son was screaming his head off.

Hours, pick up policy.

Security precautions.

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lets talk daycare...what should I ask?

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