I'm getting ready to start calling/visiting childcare providers, what all do I need to ask?

Question

I'm getting ready to start calling/visiting childcare providers, what all do I need to ask?

Answer 1

ask:

What are child to teacher ratios

Are they licenced

Are they accredited

How long have the current teachers been working with infants

Answer 2

Licensed obviously, if they smoke or have animals if that is a concern for you, how many children they will have so you know how much attention your child is going to be getting, what their prices are, how long they have been in the practice, why do they do what they do (hopefully for the love of children), what is their punishing techinques and how early do they start them, do they have a meal plan, will you have to bring your own formula or bring your pumped breastmilk, some to get you started.

Answer 3

Here are a few that I would ask:

1. What is your adult:child ratio?

2. Are you certified to provide child care?

3. What is your vacation policy and when are you closed for Holidays?

4. What is your policy on illness?

5. Are you certified in infant CPR?

6. What is your curriculum (even an infant provider should have activities)?

7. What is your nap and feeding policy, on demand or on a schedule?

8. Do you have a no cry it out policy?

9. What do you do if a baby is crying and an older child needs attention?

10. Do you have an evacuation procedure for a fire, if so what is it?

11. Am I still expected to pay when you are on vacation?

12. How much notice do you give before closing?

13. Do you have current references?

14. What is your policy on parents visiting? Can they drop in at any time or is this restricted?

15. What type of security do you have in place?

16. What are your hours and how much do you charge for a late pick up or early drop off?

17. What types of age appropriate toys do you have on hand?

18. What types of baby proofing do you have?

19. Do you provide meals, formula, diapers or does the parent provide everything?

20. Do you ever do outdoor time or plan field trips?

21. Where does baby nap? (you'll want baby to have a crib and not just nap in their car seat or on the floor)

22. Where is the provider while baby is napping? Same room? Different room with a monitor?

My final suggestion would be to bring baby by to meet the provider before you make your final decision. Have the provider hold your baby and observe how they interact with your baby as well as the other children. Do they seem comfortable? Do the other children seem genuininly happy to be there?

Also observe if the facility is clean and well kept. Is it child friendly and child proofed?

Answer 4

After working in a daycare and having a 10 1/2 month old....this is what I suggest asking about daycares etc....

-Ask about how and when they handle feedings (is it timed or on demand?)

-Open door policy (can you visit anytime you'd like?)

-Ask about nap time (on demand or timed?)

-How long has the daycare been open?

-How long have the teachers worked there?

-How much experience does the newborn teacher have with newborns?

-Are they up to date on training?

-What are their policies with sick kids?

-How many different adults will handle your child on a daily basis?

-What happens if your child's teacher calls in sick?

-Can they provide you with names and numbers to other parents as references (call and ask these parents about their experience)?

-Child vs adult ratio for the total daycare?

-Child vs adult ration for your child's room?

-Are their fire drills and tornado drills?

-Who will the contact in case of a medical emergency first? (you or 911)

-If you're breast feeding...will they provide you an area and time to breast feed during your lunch break or breaks if needed?

-Age group your child will be with?

-What happens while your child is at daycare? (meals, naps, play time, tummy time, walkers, bouncers)

-What is their procedure on having someone other than you take your child home?

-Do they ID people who say they are there to pick up your child?

-Are the front and back doors kept locked during the day

-How much will they charge you if you are late to pick up your child?

-How much do they cost for all day day care?

-If your child is sick do you still have to pay for the missed days?

-What about holidays?

-What do they do about infants tylenol (do they give it, do they call you when it's needed)?

-When do they clean(daily, once a week, once a month)?

-What do they use to clean with (bleach, clorox wipes, soap and water)?