Parents, what do you look for in a good child care?

Question

This will be a family (in-home) child care program. What do you look for in the owner/teacher, physical classroom, curriculum, etc. ?

Answer 1

i didn't want a 'childcare' setting.  i wanted a nanny.  the woman i chose is not a licensed nanny, but i hand picked her.  i work in an elementary schoolandover the years i have seen her three children.  besides exceptional behaviour, they are always clean, polite and treat each other well.  one isa gifted student without the haughtiness and the other two are good students without the jealousy.  the love was immense.  i had met the mother several times and she was always humble, friendly and happy, just like the children.  i spoke with the teachers and former teachers of the children and all had fantastic things to say about her.  one had even wantedher for a nanny, but she wanted her boy closer to his own home.  

after a few months of checking her out (on my own)..i trusted my instincts and made her an offer.  she thought about it for a few days and agreed.  she lived right across from theschool, so i was able to pop in at lunch to nurse.  i also got to see him each day at 2:30 when she came to walk her children home.  she bathed him daily and did his laundry.  she often made lunchfor me and a friend if i wished.  i had stipulations.  ididn't want her to drive with him and i didn't want her to care for any other children.  he spoke very early andshe waskey in helping with his language (english, spanish and asl) he learned his numbers, letters (by sight) and everything else in all three languages.  he just turned three and he is very much apart of her family.  even her neighbors give him gifts.  this fall i will put him in pre school twice a week for the classroom structure.  also, because she is pregnant and he will be getting a 'sibling'.  now i don't have to have another baby!  (I'm 40, and tired).  julia is fabulous and i just wish i could afford to pay her what she is truly worth.  

another note...she's the oldest of 15 children.............she knows something about raising kids!!

Answer 2

If you are putting your child in an in home setting make sure they are licensed and not just registered. Yes there is a huge difference. If you child is not an infant and going into a home setting I would almost think twice. If you walk in and the owner does not have a whole room dedicated to early childhood than she is not licensed and is just registered, this also means that her family are using the same area for their social functions. This also means the family will be using this area while your child is there. There should be a room that looks like a classroom, and a nap area that is just off the classroom are and again away from the family. This may sound like a picky person however, there is no boss to look over her shoulder, and if this person has children, and your child and her child are fighting who do you think this person is going to pick up first? The family in an in home setting will all ways come first with an older child. The only age a child should be in a home type setting in an infant.

Answer 3

My day care lady:

she loves my kids like her own (she has 5 of her own!)

her home is clean

she is kind and forgiving

she is patient

she provides healthy meals and snacks

she changes diapers in a timely fashion

she shares my personal values and morals - and reinforces them with my kids

she actually plays with the kids

she supports me in my work - she's flexible with schedules

she helps me find backup care when she's not available

she even takes the kids when they're sick - it only makes sense - if there's multiple kids in an area, they've all been exposed to whatever's making one kid sick...

she encourages me to drop in and visit

she doesn't complain that I call every afternoon to ask how the kids are

she makes sure the kids go outside and play - every day - even in the rain

she takes them on field trips to educational places -

she encourages my first-grader to do his homework right after school so he can have time to play later

she helps reinforce potty training!

she doesn't make me pay her for holidays or her vacations

she takes advantage of "teaching moments" -

she encourages kids - doesn't demean them

she teaches cooperation and encourages the kids to help with chores (cleaning up toys, after lunch, taking groceries in the house from the van, etc.)

she makes gingerbread houses with the kids every December and mother's day cards in May

She has a lot of creative play toys, especially paper, scissors, paint, crayons, markers - and it's ok to use them!

She always has moon sand and play-dough.

she challenges my kids to eat new foods!

she tells me when there will be changes in her schedule, or when she's taking on new or different kids

She's in it long term - I don't have to worry that she'll close the daycare and leave me hanging.

What I do as a parent:

I pay her a generous Christmas bonus

I always get her a gift for her birthday

I always pay her on time - EVERY FRIDAY - no excuses

I don't expect her to teach my kids everything - that's my job

I pick up the kids on time - or call at least an hour ahead to say I'll be late

I encourage her, and appreciate her and show it!

I take happy meals to daycare for lunch about once a month - she deserves a break once in a while!

I donate toys to her play room

I pack a diaper bag (even for my 6 year old) every day that includes medical records, insurance cards, extra diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, sunscreen, tylenol, and toys.

I don't ask her to be my secretary

I don't ask her to run my errands

I encourage her to discipline my kids when they're out of line.

I reinforce her rules in her home - I let her be the boss in her home.

I've had the same care provider since my son was born 6.5 years ago - I've been blessed!!!!!

Answer 4

I would look for safety and the other childrens behavior,you never know. Anything could happen .Also look for what is included in the child care,like food,diapers,clothing ect.