Questions to ask daycares for 5 y.o?

Question

I am wondering what questions to ask when calling and meeting with new daycares for my son whom will be six and entering Kindergarten in the Fall. He will sadly need a new daycare because the one he goes to is in a different school district. What should I ask them when talking on the phone with them, and also when meeting with them?

Answer 1

I think the best way to find out if this is the person you want to watch you child, is to ask yourself..what would YOU do with your child if you were home all day......go from there!  Would you want him sitting in front of the tv?  Would you play games, practice writing, reading, and coloring with him?   Do you want him to be able to go outside during the day?  What is the adult to child ratio?  Do they only care for your child's age in a group, or are there many different age groups mixed together?  When you go to talk/meet with them...take your child along and see how he interacts with the place... Does he feel at home right away...how does the provider try to make him comfortable?  Do you bring food for him everyday, do they supply snacks, mandatory rest time?  Is there transportation to and from school or do you have to supply that.....

These are just a few things that I can think of off the top of my head......these are the things that I make sure my parents see/ask from me!  Plus many more...but this will get you started.  remember to write down everything that you want to know from them, it really helps to have it in front of you, so you can write down the answers they give you.

Good Luck

Momma P

Answer 2

I would ask questions such as:

1. Is the same person with the school age children each day?

2. Are they the person that will make sure he gets on and off the bus?

3. Will the same person being caring for them before and after school too?

4. Do you provide an a.m. or p.m. snack?

5. What is the afternoon schedule?

6. Is the teacher willing to assist with homework?

7. How old are the children in the school age program?

8. Are there age appropriate activities, toys, or movies for the older children?

9. Are they on the playground with the younger children?

10. On days that the children are off of school, who will care for them then? Is their a designated aftercare classroom?

11. Are the school age children mostly boys or girls around his age?

12. Are they allowed to bring toys or games from home?

At the centers I have worked at, unless it has a large, established school age program, the school agers get the short end of the stick. The money goes for younger childrens items. A lot of times the school age goes up to age 12 as well. I don't want my five year old playing with a 12 year old. Someone is destined to get hurt OR at least pick up some bad habits.

Good Luck. SD