What are some questions that you should ask when interviewing a possible childcare provider?

Question

I'm getting ready to start looking for a sitter for my 7 month old baby and am compiling a list of questions.

Answer 1

You should just ask things that are important to you... A possible list is...

1) Are you CPR certified?

2) What prior experience do you have with children?

3) What is the youngest age you have sat for (important because watching a 7 year old is MUCH different than watching a 7 month old)

4) Are you a smoker? (important to some people)

5) Are you comfortable with such a young child?

6) When are you available?

7) Do you have your own mode of transportation?

8) Do you have any previous babysitting references that I could contact?

9) How much do you charge?

10) Anything else that you find important...  

Answer 2

well disipline but at 7 months that shouldn't  be an issue.

ask for refrences and do a background check first.

eating schedules / napping schedules.

if they are licenced, get a copy of that.

ask them why they are providers. ( see how they really feel about it).

also , go on to watchdog.com  and make sure there are no registered s*x offenders within walking distance to the house.

make sure  they are CPR certified

make sure they have a vehicle in case of emergency.

Answer 3

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)?

When interviewing an at home sitter, I suggest you ask about the driving record and transportation (think emergencies), back ground check, previous sitting, ask for references from people they've baby sat for in the past, do they have children of thier own or younger siblings they've helped raise, when are they available, how often are they sick or how often do they take vacation, how soon in advance will they let you know if they are taking a vacation..

Answer 4

First look around the house/facility.  Make sure you see the bathroom, changing station and feeding area.  Make sure they are clean and free from hazords.  

Second ask about child to adult ration.  Make sure you are comforetable with the number.

Third ask for a dialy schedule, handbook/list of policy (with rules on schedule, payment, etc.).

Third and mose important; always make a suprise visit or two.  People can always be prepared when they know you are coming in but if you show up unexpected you will have a true refelction of the program.  

Answer 5

If I did a background check on you, what would I find?

Would you mind if I did a background check on you?

Answer 6

- Have you taken a CPR class/know how to give CPR to an infant/child?

- How old are you?

- Do you have any experience with children/babies?

- Have you watched someone else's child before?

- How much money do you think is fair for an hour?

- Would you come to my house, or would you expect me to bring my child to yours?

- Do you know how to prepare food that my child could eat?

- Would you just sit my child in front of the television all day or would you interact with him/her?

- Do you consider yourself to be reliable?

- Do you have a phone in case of an emergency?

- Could you drive in case of an emergency? (Just because they couldn't doesn't mean that they wouldn't be a good sitter, though)

etcetera.

Good luck :)

Answer 7

Don't go with a daycare, too many children get illness while in daycare, Hire a Nanny!  Ask stuff like

-How many years have you been watching children?

-What are the ages you have watched?

-Do you have experience with infants & Toddlers

-Do you smoke?

-Do you do extra (house keeping & Cooking) if needed!

-Do you have first Aid & Cpr (infant & Toddler)

-What are your future plans (are you planing to major in early childhood education?

Thats just a few. I would reccomend hiring someone from your own country too there is not enough work for a Nanny in their own countries these day!

Answer 8

Get references and check them.  I suggest 3-5 references and CHECK THEM ALL.  Ask if they would hire that person again,  Why they left and what was their strongest ability and weakest.

Ask the applicant about

transportation  (actually look for a valid license)  

do they have kids

experience

come up with a few scenerios and ask what they would do

               Medical emergency

               Personal emergency

               Etc. . .

Why do they want to work with kids

Trainned in CPR for children?

Knowledgable about proper diet

Good luck

Answer 9

do they have children.

i would give them certain situations and ask them how they would handle it.

what is it that drives them to watch other peoples children.

any college, or degrees in childhood

also structure... if you are on a schedule with you child, as them how well they can work with that.

Answer 10

caregiver to child ratio?

cpr / first aid certified?

are other children in his/her care vaccinated?

policy for sick children?

transportation?  insured?  limitations?

housekeeping?

what will they do for a crying baby?

how will they try to get your baby to nap?

what makes them frustrated?

what are their views on discipline?

are they willing to take notes on diaper changes/feedings/milestones/moods, etc?

DO A BACKGROUND CHECK!

Good luck!

Answer 11

Ask them for references and be sure to follow through on them

Also ask them:

-What is your process for putting a baby down for a nap

-Do you have first aid/baby CPR

-Do you have reliable transportation

-how many traffic violations have you had? Have you ever been in a car accident? (whether or not they will be driving your child around, it's important in the case of an emergency that they have a clean record)

-What is your childcare style?

-Why do you want to work with kids?