I have a two-year old son and am looking forward to enrolling him in a part-time child care center. Are there certain questions I should be asking the care provider (eg, safety questions)? Anything will help, thanks.
2006-07-23 18:21:59 · 9 answers · asked by oasisdaniel 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
The best thing you can do is "go with your gut." I would go and observe the program for and hour and watch without your child so you can get a good observation. Ask yourself some questions. "Are the children happy? Do the teachers seem happy? Are the children respectful? Does the teacher have good classroom management skills? Do the children "run a muck" or are they calm? Is the classroom clean and orderly?" Once you do this you will get a feel for the program and know if it is the right one for you.
I would ask how long the teachers have been there. Good programs keep their teachers. I would also ask about the teachers education. Find out if the school follows a teaching philosophy (Montessori, High Scope) if the teachers are trained in that area. Ask the teacher some hypothetical questions and see how she responds. "What would you do if a child pushed another child. What would you do if a child broke something on purpose." See if her responses match your ideas. Make sure that the teachers are trained in CPR. Find out about their sick policy. Remember. Go with your gut!
2006-07-24 08:03:08 · answer #1 · answered by marnonyahoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check their licenses. Look at the place. Is it too clean, like children don't get to play, is it dirty, The toys and stuff are in clean good repair? Are they easy about drop in visits? What do they do in case of an injury? Do they give little hugs or are they totally hands off? What is the curriculum? What snacks do they serve? Are all rooms open for inspection? Who is working there? Who drops by? If it is a home day care, are there other older children there? Who will be there from the family? Is playtime supervised? What is the visit thing with the other employees? What do you see on the table? bowls of nuts? (choking hazard) Fruit? is access to the rest of the house barred? How so? Is there a pool or a jacuzzi? (big time no no if they do) Is the bathroom easy to get to and well monitored and no poison stuff under the sink? Is the decor suitable for little ones? No heavy stuff above the heads, a lot of knick-knacks and stuff just sitting for little hands to stuff in their mouths? It is a big deal so ask everything, nothing is beyond your knowledge. If you ask in a respectful, courteous manner and they give you attitude, mark them off the list, and for sure take your baby. He will give you the best indicator of whether he will be happy or not. Also You can get a lot of information on the phone. I called 40 day cares and only 12 made it to a visit. the one I chose was not the most expensive, nor the cleanest, not the most popular in town, not the most expensive. however it was the best, LOL
Remember You must be comfortable. You will never regret taking the time to make sure your baby is safe, however you will have a lifetime to regret if you don't take the trouble and you should have.
2006-07-23 18:50:10 · answer #2 · answered by Isis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,ask everything and anything!!!Nothing is too little to you as a mom.I was a daycare teacher and I am a mom of 4.I am very picky about what day cares are good enough.Make sure they have an open door policy.This means that you can stop in and check in on your child ANYTIME throughout the day.Find out what the child to teacher ratio is and IF there is one teacher,if she has an assistant.Ask everything and make a list before you go.IF it is a good daycare,they will honor your questions as meaningful and answer them.IF you have any,I mean ANY doubts about the daycare/teacher,then go elsewhere.Also, check with the better business bureau for business complaints and social services for other complaints.Social services may also refer you to people that they give approval to.ALWAYS meet the teacher who will be with your child.Find out the policy for accidents(on case your child needs medical attention) and for potty training,since your child is two.Being overprotective,when you have a two yr old,is a GOOD thing.Oh,and make sure the daycare runs criminal/sexual background checks of ALL their employees.I too..care about your kids and mine.It takes a village to raise a child.Good luck!!!!!
2006-07-23 18:38:14 · answer #3 · answered by missyandgordon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi!
1. Ask the children to provider ratio. IF there are alot of children, you won't want your son there because he won't get the attention he needs.
2. Ask to see the playground equipment or where the kids play outside then judge for yourself how safe it is. ie. Is it fenced? Is it paved or grass or gravel? Are the toys safe?
3. Ask if the toys are cleaned several times a day.
4. Ask what the snacks are, when they are provided and if they are healthy.
And always go to the daycare at least 1 time unannounced and see what is going on.
2006-07-23 18:27:32 · answer #4 · answered by angelbaby_102 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Caregiver to child ratio, what is the cirriculum. Can parents drop in. What types of meals are served, can you bring your child something from home if what is served is unacceptable. Is there a nurse on site. Do they go outdoors? Do they get nap/quiet time. What are the degrees of the primary care givers? What are their emergency procedures. What is their "sick child" policy, can you take a child with a runny nose and no other symptoms in? What is the procedure they take if your child becomes ill there. Take a tour of the ENTIRE daycare, including bathrooms, kitchen areas and where their garbage goes.
2006-07-23 18:56:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I run a daycare in Ky ... and most of the answers above are great but each state has different guidelines ... As in there ratio playgrounds and even the meals served.Id check with your state regulations . The biggest thing to me is CPR First aide and how the staff interact with you as well as the children ... If they cant talk to you and tell you everything that has went on throughout the day with your child ,somethings wrong ...
2006-07-23 19:08:14 · answer #6 · answered by happyhearts21 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure you go check the place out and see it for yourself beforehand. if possible and it's a center and not a home daycare show up unannounced so you see what it's like when they don't knwo you're coming. ask whatever you like, but no questions will put your mind at ease like seeing it for yourself. also ask if you can speak to parents of other kids that go there and see what they think about the place.
2006-07-23 18:56:30 · answer #7 · answered by dat_girl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you ask them if they allow grandparents or other family members to pick up the children. This one daycare my daughter was at let her grandfather take her one day and I went to pick her up after work and she wasn't there...boy did I flip out.
2006-07-26 14:10:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Menu
Room temperature
How many children to a group
Hours
Price
Punishment
How emergencies are handled
How long they have been in business
If they thoroughly check out their workers
2006-07-23 18:30:19 · answer #9 · answered by NANCY K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋