If you're going to be using a daycare..

MSaksa · July 2011

I have a couple of appointments set up on Monday to talk to home daycares and I'm trying to get together my list of questions. What will you/did you ask? What do you feel are the most important things to ask? TIA!

ladychicago · July 2011

I just wanted to suggest asking this of the SAIF ladies, too....there are lots of daycare moms over there and they can probably give some insight into what features have been most important to them and their LOs. Good luck with your search!

MyHusbandMyHero · July 2011

I use to work at a the CDC on Beale AFB. For infant child care I would ask what their policies are on babies sleeping. You want to make sure they are sleeping the babies on their backs, to lower the risks of SIDs. Also, if each child has a designated crib (for sanitary reasons) and how often they clean the sheets and crib pads. You want to know their policies on administering meds, or diaper rash creams as well as feeding routines. I would ask if they give you a sheet at the end of the day saying how often they were changed (if it was a BM or just pee), when they were fed, an when they napped. Also ask if they have "lessons plans". Might sound kind of silly for infants but we did certain activites everyday. Some more focused on music, others on outside time whether in group strollers or laying outside on play mats with toys. GL!

MrsVo · July 2011

I used to work in the infant room of a day care and I would only add a few items to what the PP mentioned.

-Infant to adult ratio (may want to specifically ask about under 18 workers)

-Is there are fridge in the infant room?

-What is the policy on how long a child must stay out when sick?

-How often do they clean the toys, bouncers, etc?

-Is there video monitoring available? (may or may not be important to you as a parent to be able to "check in" from work)

Edit to Add: Opps!! I totally missed the *home* part. So sorry!!

leecrystalwed08 · July 2011

Home daycare:

How many children do you have already and how many are infants?

Licensed?

Will you recived a written daily report?

Contract to sign? (I highly reccomend this)

How do they handle recipts for tax time?

What is her vacation/sick policy?

If another child runs out of dipaers will she pull from your stock? (I only ask becasue you may pay for more expensive diapers than the person who had to borrow from your share- yes this happens all the time at daycares)

Does she have a "back-up" in case of an emergency or will it be the parents responsiblity to find a backup sitter?

Sunshine05 · July 2011

I asked this question on SAIF a little while back, here's the questions I got:

What is the child to staff ratio?

How do they divide infants up between the two classrooms? (There is a HUGE difference between a 12 week old and a 12 month old - how do they prevent the big kids from standing or crawling - literally - all over the little kids?)

Do they have swings and other containment-type toys in the room? How do they use them? (FWIW, I never had an issue with my DCP putting DS in a swing from time to time, as long as he wasn't there all day.)

What kind of information do you get about your child's day? Ask them to show you the daily summary sheets.

What is their sick policy? (Fever or just started antibiotics within the past 24 hours, has pink eye or other highly contagious disease = out is pretty typical, but is theirs more strict?)

What kind of activities to children do every day? Is there a lesson plan? (Yes, even for infants!)

But honestly, most importantly, how do you feel when you go there? Does it feel like a happy place? Do the teachers seem loving? Do the children seem loved? THAT is what is most important.

Find out if they have someone certified to give medicine.

How long has the staff been there, what is the turnover like.

Do you have to do any fundraising?

Will they rock to sleep, pat back, etc.?

Do they put on sunscreen/hats when going outside?

Will they stick to your schedule or do they want all babies on the same schedule?

If you are breastfeeding, are they familiar/experienced with bottle feeding a breastfed baby?

If you drop off early, do all the infants go to one room and then move rooms when the rest of the staff and the majority of theinfants get there? Do they combine age groups in the morning/evening when numbers are lower?

What's the security like? Parents sign in/out, who is able to pick up child and do they check their id...

Can you drop by whenever you want?

Can they bring their own blanket? Food?

JennPierog · July 2011

Wow I'm so glad you asked this question great answers. I know its early but I'm gonna start a folder with all these wonderful questions.

Good luck on your search

MSaksa · July 2011

Thanks for all the input ladies!

Want a personalized experience?

If you're going to be using a daycare..

Re: If you're going to be using a daycare..

Choose Another Board

Search Boards