What to look for in a daycare...?

Question

I am a young mom and a full time student. My son will be 7 months when I have to return to school and has never been to a daycare or babysitter other than family. But now I need outside care for him, and I was hoping to find some answers about what I need to look for to find a good daycare, in home or not. I want the best for my son, so I will probably be very picky.

Answer 1

When I went looking for a daycare, it was very important to me that the people who would be taking care of my child LOVED my child.

I called around and spent a few hours at the daycare I was seriously thinking about using and they loved all of the children there, so that's the one my daughter has been going to for 2 1/2 years now.  That's her home away from home and she loves it!

Answer 2

references are good. the first answerer made some other points too that i need not repeat.

Answer 3

The way we found our in home daycare center was through the social services web site.  They constantly "surprise" visit and keep track and monitor the daycares.  They are all liscensed daycare facilities, but the great thign is you can look online and see what "violations" if any the daycare has incurred.  If they have some, you can see what they are.  My lady has been a daycare for 22 years, and her violations were minute...and we set up an interview with her and talked over everything with her, what they do, how they do things, etc, what they expect of you and your child...We went interviewed and looked at a couple places and we loved this lady.  I felt comfortable, because she follows the guidelines of the SS and things like that, but also how she interacted with our little guy and how she does every morning when I drop him off....Long story short, you can always go through their web site and look at all the daycares around you and see things about them....Good Luck, it takes a bunch to find someone you are comfy with....It's your little one and no one can ever take care of them like their mommas, but we have to do what we have to do......

Answer 4

Dont ring the centres just TURN up and see what they are like without any pre-warning and when they take you through the rooms, if you dont have a comfortable feeling about the place go to the next one.

Answer 5

Cant blame you for being picky. When in search of a day care always pop up without anyone knowing you are coming. keep in mind You are a mother so, You have the right and its always ok to look around at the kids and make sure that they're not sick and are running around with runnie noses. that means the care taker is lazy and doesn't keep up with the kids. Secondly, if the baby is walking and can play, make sure the play area is up to date and in a shaded area because the sun can get hot. Make sure their are not to many bushes or shrubs where all the biting Animals can hide in. And ask for a lunch menu. Even after getting their lunch menu still send your baby with their favorite snacks and juices. Look to see if all the ladies are friendly. And last but not least even if you have a car. Try to get a day care close to a bus stop. Cause you never know what your car or your ride might do. When you find the right one you will know. Cause you can feel it. Put your self in the baby shoes. Good luck.

Answer 6

1. find out the teacher to child ratio- the smaller the better

2. see if they have an open daycare so you can stop by any time to see your son or pick him up early

3. ask questions about what they do with the infants- playtime outside? inside only? is there music?

--You can tell a lot about a daycare just by simply scheduling an appt and going in to check things out. If things look bad, then try another. We went to several before picking ours.