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FTM needing questions to ask daycare

littleredfishlittleredfish member
in Working Moms

I checked out 2 daycares today for DD to start going in January. I looked up a lot of info on both places online and asked some questions of my own. Both directors seemed slightly shocked that I didn't ask more questions. Both had manuals online to read about their basic policies and I asked about a dozen other questions. What else should I have been asking?

We CD DD so I asked about their comfort level with that and how they handle the dipes, what the training level of each worker is (all EHE or 1+ per room), child to worker ratio, menu given and how it applies to younger children DDs age, if I can store frozen BM there for her, if any walks or playtime are done off site or only on, how flexible they are with drop off/pick up time since DHs day starts anywhere from 7-9, how flexible they are with nap and feeding times, potty training techniques (for when we get there), methods of discipline, if it was ok for us to bring personal blankets from home for naps, and what other items we need to bring (bottles, bibs, bowls and spoons, etc).

I felt like I covered all the bases but this is our first child so I'm not familiar with what I should know and they just almost made it seem like it was a total shock I didn't have 101 questions. We go back tomorrow to meet with the teachers in her room; what other questions should I ask that I'm not thinking of (if any)?

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Re: FTM needing questions to ask daycare

  • bumpuser511563bumpuser511563 member
    I don't know if you asked this but did you ask when the daycare would be closed for holidays. Some daycares can be out for a whole week or two during Christmas break and some of us on here have some issues with that.
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  • littleredfishlittleredfish member

    imageSailor Saturn:
    I don't know if you asked this but did you ask when the daycare would be closed for holidays. Some daycares can be out for a whole week or two during Christmas break and some of us on here have some issues with that.

    Yes, they had those details listed online, DH and I already figured out which days I need to request from work and which he can cover. Luckily he is military and already gets 3 weeks around Christmas.

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  • kirackirac
    Ask for references.  Their license # so you can look up their record with the state.
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  • littleredfishlittleredfish member

    imagekirac:
    Ask for references.  Their license # so you can look up their record with the state.

    OOO! Good idea! Thanks :)

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  • leolynsleolyns
    You can ask how often they check diapers for pee or poop (our dcp checks hourly unless she hears a poop happening), if they provide a recap of the day (how many ounces baby drank, # of diapers used, mood, nap times and length). 
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  • littleredfishlittleredfish member

    imageleolyns:
    You can ask how often they check diapers for pee or poop (our dcp checks hourly unless she hears a poop happening), if they provide a recap of the day (how many ounces baby drank, # of diapers used, mood, nap times and length). 

    Good idea. Especially the daily recap. The 2nd daycare we saw today covered that but not the first (which is the one we chose).
    Keep the suggestions coming, these are really helpful!

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  • cecilyandgautamcecilyandgautam member

    We went through the basics of daily care: feeding, naps, safe play, etc

    But one thing I wish I had asked more about is paid holidays. We did cover it and agreed on Federal and religious holidays, but it's turning into way more than I initially realized. I should have asked for a full calendar of every holiday she expects off, rather than just discussing the principal by which we'd operate. 

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  • KathrynMDKathrynMD member

    Ask about staff turnover and administrator turnover.

    Ask about how whether your LO will have a primary caregiver and what hours that person works and how long your LO will be with that person (only a month, all through the infant room, etc.)

    Ask about staffing - if they have floaters or what they do if people call in sick, etc.

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  • littleredfishlittleredfish member
    Thanks for all the help ladies! We're leaving soon to go meet the teachers, I think I have a pretty good list!
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