Tell me what to ask at daycare

Country Girl in the City · July 2012

We have to go for our daycare tour on Wednesday. It seems so early but they told me that I already had 20 people ahead of me on the list so I might not get in when we first need it. I told DH where and when to show up. He emailed me back and asked what kind of prep we needed to do ahead of time and if I had a list of questions. I thought that they would just give us a tour and I would give them the application fee and that would be it. I am not really worried about it because it is in my office building and everyone seems to like it.

Any advice on questions I should ask or things that I should look for?

lhcooper · July 2012

Well, I'm no expert -- but we looked at three and just looking and seeing differences in what we were told made me aware of a few things. Keep in mind we are looking to not start really before ours is about 1, so that's a little different than infant care. That said, it seemed to me like you want to know about (if they don't tell you) would include: their overall "philosophy"; if each baby gets to be on his/her own schedule (naps, feedings, etc); if you can drop off breast milk (if you are BF'ing); what kind of diapers they use (cloth or disposable); whether they have an "open door" for patents if you want/can drop by during the day; whether they serve lunch (for older babies) or if you have to drop that off; what kinds of supervised "play" happens each day (again, depends very much on age); general safety precautions (do they have a door code, etc). There's of course a LOT more that STM's will know more about than me. But I found that just being there and seeing the places helped me think of questions in the moment. If you can, I would visit more than one -- I got very different feels from each one we saw (not bad, just different).

lhcooper · July 2012

Sorry, I didn't notice it's in your office! Obviously you don't visit different ones when you've got that option; and I'm sure you'll be able to go by whenever! But it will be great to get a feel for how things work there.

3rdat40 · July 2012

When I went on a tour of my daycare center, they gave such a thorough presentation that I ended up not having any questions. However, if they don't tell you, I'm sure you want to know how they handle nap time, meals, items that need to be provided by you versus what they provide, illnesses, do they shut down for inclement weather or not, what's the deposit and how do they collect the tuition (maybe it can be through payroll deduction if it's in your office). Oh, the one question I did ask, I guess, is if they have an open door policy (they do) so I can come in at any time.

The most important factor for me, was if the kids there were happy and if it looked clean. When I did my tour, it was during regular hours, and all of the kids at the center looked like they were enjoying age-appropriate activities, and everything was spotless and they made me put on shoe covers to enter the infant area, so that eased my mind!

BeckyP005 · July 2012

Hey there....I feel like we were just talking about this on our board about you using your work daycare or the one near YH's!

Take care!

OlivesT · July 2012

Check your state's licensing board for any complaints/violations filed with that provider/day care center. I wish someone would have told me that when I was in our shoes. You would check this online, it would not be something I would ask on a tour.

benniferbaby · July 2012

I asked this question not too long ago and hijoi had excellent suggestions. I wonder if you search this board would you find that thread? Good luck!

Sportsmomacc · July 2012

We finally went on a couple of tours last Friday. Be sure to ask about the caregiver to baby ratio. What is the most number of babies one caregiver will be responsible for? Do you need to bring sheets/blankets for the crib? When are babies moved up to the next room? If you are formula feeding, do you need to bring premade bottles or will they make them as needed? One center pointed out to us they would mix them for you. We would just need to provide the powder and water...I had never heard of this option before. How often are the toys sanitized? That's all I can think of now. Good luck with the tour!!

Country Girl in the City · July 2012

BeckyP005:
Hey there....I feel like we were just talking about this on our board about you using your work daycare or the one near YH's! Take care!

There was a recent article in our newspaper about how there are over 200 people on the waiting list at DH's daycare. We will put in an applications there too but I doubt that we will get in.

How is the puppy?

Adi · July 2012

I would ask about feeding, like do they provide food (my DS's prescool does, and when I return to work they will also provide formula if I don't want to bring breast milk, it's included in the price). Oh, and if you're BFing, are they agreeable to you going down there on your break to feed the baby yourself (if you choose to?) Also, being an infant, I'd ask about tummy time. play time, how often they change the diapers, and I'll ditto the bedding question.

I agree with checking with the state licensing board for complaints. Beyond that, go with your gut feeling. if you are a bit uneasy about the place, check a couple other ones (sounds like you may need to anyway, at least to find a place that can take LO until it's your turn on that waiting list)

Country Girl in the City · July 2012

Adi:

I would ask about feeding, like do they provide food (my DS's prescool does, and when I return to work they will also provide formula if I don't want to bring breast milk, it's included in the price). Oh, and if you're BFing, are they agreeable to you going down there on your break to feed the baby yourself (if you choose to?) Also, being an infant, I'd ask about tummy time. play time, how often they change the diapers, and I'll ditto the bedding question.

I agree with checking with the state licensing board for complaints. Beyond that, go with your gut feeling. if you are a bit uneasy about the place, check a couple other ones (sounds like you may need to anyway, at least to find a place that can take LO until it's your turn on that waiting list)

Good advice. Apparently state laws don't apply to the center in my office or DH's office. I have to find out if they are still licensed in some way and where people would go to lodge a complaint. If we don't get in, DH may have to take some FMLA and stay home when I go back to work until we get in.

BeckyP005 · July 2012

Country Girl in the City:

BeckyP005:
Hey there....I feel like we were just talking about this on our board about you using your work daycare or the one near YH's! Take care!

There was a recent article in our newspaper about how there are over 200 people on the waiting list at DH's daycare. We will put in an applications there too but I doubt that we will get in.

How is the puppy?

Omg that's unbelievable! Ollie is better thanks for asking! Xrays showed he injured his knee but he is back to being a jumping bean

Hopefully my boss won't say anything when the bill comes in...:)

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