Picking a daycare

hbrockman01 · June 2014

HELP!! Though I would rather not place her in daycare, she needs the social interaction with children her own age! What should I be looking for when I go meet with different DCP? What questions should I ask? This is all new and I'm not sure where to start!!

Currently DH keeps her during the day (he works 3rd shift / I work 1st). His health is beginning to take a turn b/c he's not getting enough sleep so we are thinking part time daycare (3days a week). I'm meeting with a place tonight after work, and I know I need to look for certain things, and ask certain questions but can't seem to think of all that would need to be addressed.

suggestions more than welcomed!

telicious2 · June 2014

https://www.mass.gov/edu/birth-grade-12/early-education-and-care/find-early-education-and-care-programs/types-of-early-education-and-care-programs-and-tips-for-parents-on-selecting-a-quality-program/choosingfamilychildcare.html

This is a link to the MA Early Education & Care page. Scroll down to Five Key Quality Components. And after that there are a bunch of questions to consider.

telicious2 · June 2014

And this one is for questions for a day care center

https://www.mass.gov/edu/birth-grade-12/early-education-and-care/find-early-education-and-care-programs/types-of-early-education-and-care-programs-and-tips-for-parents-on-selecting-a-quality-program/choosing-center-school-programs.html

mommatotwo2 · June 2014

I don't have much too add beyond what others said and the links they provided, but I did want to chime in about the whole "working 3rd shift and staying up with the kid" thing. It doesn't work. I tried it for about 2 years and it nearly cost me my marriage. It's very important that your husband can get mostly regular sleep, especially working that shift. Your body is already put through a lot having to be awake during a time that's total outside of a normal circadian rhythm, and the only way to survive it is to have regular sleep.

hbrockman01 · June 2014

mommatotwo2 said:

I don't have much too add beyond what others said and the links they provided, but I did want to chime in about the whole "working 3rd shift and staying up with the kid" thing. It doesn't work. I tried it for about 2 years and it nearly cost me my marriage. It's very important that your husband can get mostly regular sleep, especially working that shift. Your body is already put through a lot having to be awake during a time that's total outside of a normal circadian rhythm, and the only way to survive it is to have regular sleep.

Trust me when I say, I totally agree! Things have been rocky lately. I am quite surprised he lasted this long (honestly). But he was the one who up until he started having issues health wise that insisted on NO DAYCARE!! I tried looking before, I also tried to make arrangements with my work to work from home. This is a last ditch effort to keep him from falling off the deep end and its PER DR RECOMMENDATION!! That is the only reason why he finally agreed!

Now if I could just get Grandma to stop acting like I'm shipping her off to boarding school in Switzerland!!

Thank you all for the advice!

TheyCalledHerKate · June 2014

General/Operational:

· Are you certified/ licensed/ accredited?

· Do you have openings? How long is the waiting list?

· What are your hours?

· What are your rates for infant care and how often do they go up?

· What education do you and your staff have?

· What is the adult-to-child ratio?

· Do I have to pay for days when my child is absent due to sickness or vacation?

· How much do you charge if I’m late to pick up my child?

· Can I make unannounced visits to see/ observe my child?

· Do you have video cameras?

· What are your security and emergency policies? How will my child be checked in?

· What is your staff turnover rate?

· Do hire employees who smoke?

· On which holidays do you close?

Philosophical/Infant Care:

· What is the philosophy of the center or home?

· What kind of interaction does staff do with infants to help with development? (age-appropriate activities, stimulating activities, etc.)

· What is a typical day like? (schedule for infants)

· How much time do infants spend in the crib and/or play pen?

· What will I be expected to provide? (diapers, etc.)

· What type of equipment and materials are available for infants?

· How do you communicate with parents?

· What milestones are infants expected to reach in the daycare setting, and how do you track them?

· Are babies out of the crib when awake?

· How often are changing tables disinfected?

· Will my baby have his or her own bed?

· Is water temperature below 120 degrees?

· Are there quiet areas for baby to sit and observe?

· Curriculum- what does the program look like for older infants, toddlers, pre-school, pre-k, etc.?

· Room transitions- When do they transition to the next room, is it based on age, developmental milestones, etc.

· Will my baby have a main teacher? How is the care structured?

Feeding:

· Do you feed EBM to babies?

· How are bottles and formula stored?

· Are there seat belts on high chairs and infant seats?

· Will my baby be held during feeding?

· Do you allow homemade baby food?

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