What is the most important question you should ask when interviewing for Daycare?

Question

I will be checking out in-home daycare providers. I've been down this road many times, but am curious what everyone's opinion is. It will be for my 4 year old daughter.

Answer 1

I would like to know how are the children kept occupied when the care-giver is busy, like when she is fixing lunches, or using the bathroom, especially if it is a long bathroom trip. how does she ensure that the bigger ones, don't bug the little ones when she is occupied.

Answer 2

These are the questions I ask when I am looking for a daycare:

1. Can I come when ever I want to see my child/children?

2. What do you provide and what do I need to provide? diapers, wipes, bottles, food and so on

3. How many adults per children are there?

4. What is the schedule like?

5. What are the age ranges? so that I know that my child has children his/her own age to play with.

6. What are the hours, when is the earliest I can drop my children off and the latest I can pick them up? Late charges and how they are applied. Any extra fees that I should keep in mind.

7. What is the cost per day, per week, cheaper with two kids, part time or full time and so on.

8. Ask for referenses, They should be willing to give them.

Some daycares give you five free days where you don't have to pay, some make you pay no matter what.

These were just a few, I ussually try to cover everything, what happens when the daycare providers are sick, or if they take a vacation, who covers for them and are they checked out....

I was taking my oldest to a daycare and one day I came to pick him up and he was usually an outgoing child, I found him in the corner away from everyone and no one paying him attention, they didn't even know where he was at when I walked in the room, after that I changed daycares cause he was at an age where he couldn't tell me what was going on at the daycare and other things just didn't add up.

Answer 3

No matter what the person says, you can always do your own background check on them.... if they are licensed (which I would hope they are) then contact the licensing agency in your state to find out if any complaints have been lodged against the person. Also, you can check with the registry of sexual abusers in your area to see if they are listed (also check on any spouse or helper that will be near the children in the home). Some states will not allow a childcare to be run in the home even if a spouse (who will not be around the children) has had a prior sexual case of any kind. Ask if you can talk to other parents who have their child with the careprovider to ask their opinion. Child/staff ratios are very important... it would be best if there was more than one caregiver on the premises all the time. You should always be able to come by at any time. Licensed childcares at least have to hold to a minimum standard, so go with one that is licensed. Best- trust your instincts and gut feeling. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your child there, look elsewhere.

Answer 4

if you have been down this road several time before,? then why dont you know what to ask and what to look for in an in-home daycare.

i put my 4 year old in a daycare center, took her with me and watched as she acted and played with the other kids.

putting a child in any daycare is the hardest and the most important a parent can make, and only you know your child not the ones here on the computer.

use your mom instincts listen to yourself and watch your child.

1) list at least 10
2) ask how many kids they watch
3) what do they do for activities and let your child engage while you talk to the teacher.
4) ask other parents that have their child there
5) watch how your child is acting around the other kids.

Answer 5

1. What is the teacher/child ratio
2. Can I come and go as I please?
3. Can I have a copy of the center's policies?
4. Do you provide daily summaries?
5. Do you notify parents in the event of injuries (big or small)
6. Are the teahcers cetified?

Answer 6

With any hospital or nursing-type facility, there are yearly (and sometimes more frequent) inspections by the state. This means that trained staff from the state comes in and makes sure that everything is up to par and up running properly. It is your right as a family member to see a copy of their annual findings. I would ask to see the report from their last inspection. (Possibly it could be a JACO inspection...however, if you ask for their state inspection, they will know exactly what you are talking about. If they hesitate, move on to the next company/facility)

Answer 7

i would ask them how long they been in the daycare business
and why they got into this business. Ask them do they have a criminal record and probably do a back round check on them because you wouldn't wont to leave your child with just anybody

Answer 8

ask if you can visit the daycare while it is open so that you can talk to some of the parents who are using this daycare to get their opinions.

good luck!

Answer 9

The solutions from "Sophie is here" and "i admire my thumbs-down fairy" are the two marvelous. each and all of the concepts could look overwhelming, however the extra useful pronounced you're, the extra defend you will experience. you could desire to be waiting to bypass to the newborn care licensing internet site on your state and look up centers by ability of call. examine their violations. examine the specifics...it is going to assist you already know the violation and what grew to become into achieved to astounding it. i does not difficulty as plenty approximately workplace work violations as i could caregiving violations. in case you notice some thing questionable, ask the director approximately it. i could stay away from centers that don't have an open-door coverage. you could desire to be waiting to return out and in any time to ascertain on your newborn. I additionally do not look after "scheduled excursions." some centers could could desire to do it out of genuine want, yet they could additionally be doing it with a view to guarantee each and everything is in shape till now you come. while traveling, see in case you could stay and draw close out in the faculty room for a on the same time as to particularly see how the academics work together. Ask the academics questions. don't be fearful of sounding overly picky....your toddler can not talk for themselves....you could desire to do it for them. in particular...bypass with your intestine feeling. while you at the instant are not gentle with the preliminary bypass to, save looking. you could never underestimate Mommy's instinct. sturdy good fortune!

Answer 10

The most important are their forms of disipline, how many day-care providers to children and how their daily schudale runs. I hope that helps.