What to ask at daycare interview and convincing DH

Klavanga74 · May 2014

This will be my first time looking for daycare with baby #3. I stayed home with my first two. I am going to look at a local in-home daycare that came recommended to me and is literally 3 minutes from my house. I already know what she charges, her qualifications, her availability, how many kids she takes at a time. What else should I ask? Also, did anyone else run into trouble with DH not wanting the baby in daycare? I'm only planning to do 2, maybe three days a week because I work from home, but he seemed shocked that I was thinking of this. I brought it up a few weeks ago and he didn't seem to have a problem because I was mentioning using a friend. The idea of a stranger was completely objectionable to him. I know he'd prefer me to stop working, but I'm almost 40, have two businesses I've worked hard to build and I refuse to give them up. Thoughts?

TheBorg7of9 · May 2014

I'd tell your husband it's his turn to stay home with the babies, if it really means so much to him that they are not watched by 'strangers'

VOR · May 2014

TheBorg7of9 said:

I'd tell your husband it's his turn to stay home with the babies, if it really means so much to him that they are not watched by 'strangers'

Yup. this. If it's "oh so important", then HE should be willing to stay home. Past that, though, new DC providers are only strangers at the start. Same w/ teachers! These are people you're entrusting your child to. They will ALL be strangers on some level, but then you'll get to know them.

bethughknee · May 2014

EVERYTHING @tricia560 said. I would also ask what she plans to do in the event you have a high needs baby. What if LO is insisting on being held for naps still when you go back to work?

Along the lines of sick babies, what are other things she would send LOs home for? (Rash, yellow mucous, low grade fever even related to teething, etc.)

I would also want notice for her vacation days. A friend of mine who uses IHDC has an issue where her provider emails on a Thursday afternoon saying she'll be using a vacation day on Friday. Being sick is one thing. When moms depend on you, I think its polite to give notice for vacation days. Even if its only saying so on Monday of that week. How many sick days does she take paid before she stops charging for them?

Will she ask things of you throughout the year? (Ex. help with supplies like a school does? Like everyone brings a box of tissues and a box of crayons, etc.)

I'm not touching on the strangers thing. At one point YOU were a stranger to him. Has he considered that?

CaniacMom · May 2014

I would ask how long the other children have been attending her home daycare. That gives you a peek into how happy other families are with the care she provides.

Are there other people in the home (including those not involved in caregiving)? I checked into one home provider & her husband was home most of the day & I just did not get a good vibe on him. I continued my search and found a situation I was more comfortable with.

Good luck with your husband on this. I think other posters have made good points about his reservations on the childcare.

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What to ask at daycare interview and convincing DH

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