What type of questions do you ask when looking for a daycare?

Question

i'm currently looking for a job after being a stay at home mother for several months. my only son is turning a year old soon and i'm just a nervous wreck looking into daycare. i just dont know other than asking for references of other things i need to question. please help.

Answer 1

whether it's home care or in a certified center make sure you ask questions about:

how many other kids are there (including the caregiver's)
what are the hours and fees
who makes meals/snacks
what is the menu
proper # of items/equipment for # of kids - highchairs, table and chairs, cribs, playpens
daily schedule and planned activities
how many caregivers/child - this depends on age
changing and toilet areas maintained how and by who
what is the parent responsible for providing
what experience/qualifications does the caregiver have
what are the caregiver's policies - incidents that happen there, children who are ill, discipline

go in for a tour/visit and pay attention to how the caregivers interact with the children and how they function with respect to running the daycare and ensuring it's a safe, clean and enjoyable place to be

Answer 2

you want to ask if there licensed and insured of course if they are licensed you want to ask for that number so you can check with you state to see if they have had any complaints you want to know the teacher child ratio for a child yours sons age there should be no more than 4 children per one teacher. make sure the facility is clean and they have high chairs and cripbs to accomedate all the children i know in my state it is required that each child under 15 months old is required to have its own assigned crib and high chair that no other child can use as well as a cubby for his things only. ask what there policys are will they be providing lunch will they warm up anything you bring how often do they check and change diapers what activties do they have do the younger children have interactions with the older children do they go out side and sit under trees or are they going to be stuck in a back room all day you wanto to look for a day care that has employees who have early childhood education degrees and then spend the day at the day care with you child before you commit to anything they day care might ask you to come in during a nap time dont you want to go in when the kids are awake so you can see how the care givers react with thema nd then just read you kid if hes dirty or crying when you pick him up or drop him off or if he gets rashes or bruises remove him immediatly and be in constant contact witht he care givers this is your child you can never ask to many question.

Answer 3

Make sure you ask how they discipline the children. How do they handle bullying. Make sure the ratio of caregivers to children is high (there should be regulations where you are). What type of foods do they have for snacks, etc. Do they get nutritional advice regarding this. I would worry about cleanliness. Make sure you drop in unannounced several different times, at different times of the day to see what is going on. Get criminal background checks on staff. Frankly, I don't envy you having to do this.... I would be so scared.

Answer 4

I was watching montel williams yesterday, and he said it is a smart idea to go to city hall or something in city hall which would have records of daycars that have had violations issued against them. That way you can know for sure if its kosher..Mabye if you call around you can get ahold of the place that does have these records. Sorry I cant remember the name but im with you there.

Answer 5

Certainly you want to know what percentage of their clientele are long-term. For example, what percentage of children have been coming to their center for over a year, ad of the ones whom have left in the past year, how many were taken out because their parents were dissatisfied with the services that were provided and the care at the canter.

Answer 6

You need to check and see if they're licensed. Also, get references from other parents, or former parents who have had their children cared for at that particular day care. If you want to check out the facility, I suggest dropping by unannounced -That way you see how things really operate. See what kind of things they do from day to day. Do they teach your child what they need to know to prepare for Pre-K? Do you need to provide food/snacks for your child? Or do they provide all that? Food can make a big difference in day care price. There's a million other factors, but hopefully you'll find a decent day care for your child.

Good luck!

Answer 7

How many stars do they have? What percentage of staff has colege credit in child services? Staff to child ratio? Meals provided? Activites? Cost? Days open?

Answer 8

talk to the mothers that send there children there. ask to stay a day and watch what they do with the children everyday. keep a journal on all if any marks on your baby. if he keeps getting marks report the place. make sure the place is clean.good luck.