What to look for in school age child care?

Question

I am wondering what things to look for in a new daycare for my son whom will be six and entering Kindergarten in the Fall. He will need a new daycare because the one he goes to is in a different school district. We are sad because he has been with her for three years and she is excellent. I am wondering what to look for in a new one. It will be school age care (before and after school and on days when there is no school).

Answer 1

you should look for

How they ammuse children (do they just let them wander around and do nothing :( do they think of some awesome craft thing that is really amusing :)

How well they take care of kids

(when somebody needs to go to the bathroom do they say "Can you wait till; your mother comes?" :( or do they take the kid

Conflict resolution

When two kids have a fight do they say "Work it out on your own!" :( or do they help the kids understand what happened and help them forgive eachother :)

Answer 2

Check for certification first.  Then see how clean it is, how well maintained equipment is, what activities there are, and if there are any children there your child's age.  Ask questions about the experience of the provider(s), policies and procedures of the daycare.  If it looks good and you agree with the policies and procedures, then schedule a day when you can take your child for a few hours for a trial to see if he enjoys it.