Child care question?

Question

My daughter is going to be 1 next month and I was thinking about putting her in a child care center because I'm going back to school next month. I will checking out different ones. I would like to put her in a christian child care center. My daughter is really friendly and she loves babies. What are some questions that I can ask? I will appreciate any advice that you may have.

When I go and observe, can I bring my daughter to see if she likes it?

Answer 1

Absolutely the most important thing you can do is ask for parent references...I have worked at many different daycare centers and now own my own in-home daycare and I promise you I have seen it all. Ask for at least four different parent references, preferably from parents of kids in the room that your child will be in, as one room could have GREAT teachers and the next room over have neglectful ones. What they will do is ask parents in that room to volunteer their work or home phone #'s for you to call them and ask them questions about the care their child receives there and how happy they are with it. If it is a good center this should be no problem at all. PLEASE be very thorough in your search for the best daycare for your daughter. I worked at a christian daycare in a church and reported a girl working in the toddler room (I was in the adjoining infant room) for verbal and physical abuse and she was eventually investigated and fired. It can happen anywhere at anytime and it's such a scary thing. I'm not trying to guilt you or discourage you in anyway as I understand the necessity of daycare for many people (I had to do it for a long time too) but I just want to stress how important it is to watch out for it. Good luck and I hope that you find the very best daycare available :)

Answer 2

It doesn't matter how much she likes babies, at one she'll be in a toddler room and not have any contact with the babies all day long. It's good that you want her in a Christian center but be sure they are teaching the same values you believe in b/c there are variances.
Check with you local Division of Family Services to see if there has been any complaints made against them.
Go up one day about 4 or 5 and ask a few parents who are picking up their kids what they like or don't like and see if those are things you can live with. I would definitely ask them to give you one thing they really don't like so you can at least have some upfront knowledge before you shell out all that money and find out about that one little thing that just drives you nuts.
Last of all trust your gut instinct. We were given this as mothers for a reason. If something doesn't feel right it probably isn't and act sooner rather then later or you will regret it and hate yourself forever.

Answer 3

you should ask:
for a copy of the daily class schedule so you can see what time meals are, how many times they go outside, when diaper changes are, nap time, etc.

the policy on bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, toys from home, nap stuff, etc.

when is nap and how do they put the children down...cribs, pack and plays, mats. do they play a movie, rub backs, naptime music? is it dark in there and are they allowed to get up early?

can you pick the child up during nap time?

is there an open door policy? biting policy?

how do they keep open communication wtih the parents - daily reports? phone calls? just at pick up?

what is the child to teacher ratio? how is the teacher turn over rate in the one year old class on average? when do they move up to the 2 year old room? what milestones do they have to reach by then?

do they provide meals? can you send in your own lunch? will they heat anything up? do you provide cups? what do they drink? what is the lunch menu?

how do they do diapers and wipes?

do the one years have a designated play area outside? are they away from the older children?

are the teachers CPR and First Aid certified? who fills in if the teacher is out sick?

what are the hours? do they offer part time rates? how weeks vacation do they allow?

what is the sick policy? is someone available to give medicine at all times? is their nurse on the premises?

i would probably meet with them first and talk to them and get all the questions and paper work done and then have another walk through where you can bring your daughter and whoever else's opinioin you may want.

hope this helps! SD

Answer 4

I had my own daycare for 10 years..ask have all employees had a background search done? Are all employees licensed in CPR? In what circumstances do you send a sick child home? How often do you wash the children's hands. What safety measures are in place to keep all children safe,(exits,fire extinguisher.)If you called into tell them someone else would be picking up child, how do they make sure it's the right person?Do they check license? Can just anyone walk into the place? What are their methods of punishment?Make sure u can pick up ur child at any time..Walk around watch the care takers..see if the children seem happy and loving towards thier care takers..ask for lots of refrences and when u call the refrences ask if they are related to caretakers..(these would not be as trustworthy). Good luck hope this helps.

Answer 5

Ask if you can go and observe here and there. Stay out of the way so that the teachers don't notice you; come and go a little, so that you see more of what is going on when they don't think they are being observed. I did this with a preschool I had been considering using, but decided against after observing some overly verbally agressive teachers.

Answer 6

Well here is a list of the things I always ask, maybe they can help you out:

Do you have certifications/licenses?

What kind of snacks/meals do you provide? Can I see a copy of the menu?

What is your discipline policy?

Who covers for you when you are ill or on vacation? Can I speak to them also?

Do you have an Itinerary for the day? Can I have a copy?

Are there any routines that I should know about, or practice at home?

What is your emergency policy?

How do you handle unknown visitors?

Do you have an open door policy?

Do you provide transportation for field trips/to and from school (if your child attends Head Start or Preschool)?

Does your price include meals/snacks?

What is the ratio of Adults to children?

Do you offer weekends/late night care?

Can you give me references of other parents who currently use AND who have used your daycare in the past?

Do you know CPR? On infants, Toddlers,and older children?

I know it sounds kind of in depth, but this is YOUR child's life you are putting in someone's hands. You have to dig deep to make sure there is nothing being hidden.

Answer 7

do they have references

Answer 8

You should definitely take your daughter to visit any daycare you are considering. She needs to feel comfortable and genuiniely like the staff.

Ask what's provided: food, diapers, snacks, water.
Ask about their policy for sick children.
Ask if the infant staff is constant (the same caretaker everyday) or if they alternate. You don't want your child looked after by different people all the time.

The main thing is cleanliness/safety and if you like the people who will be takig care of her.

Answer 9

The one thing I look for now are Internet cameras you can log into on the net and see your child's classroom.

Ask if they have an open door policy. Can you come in ANY time?
Do they offer Vacation time? If you're off an entire week will you still have to pay?
Do their teacher's have credintals? (sp?) Are ALL the teachers CPR trained?

HTH

Answer 10

Will food be served?
What kind of activities are available to the children?
Is it possible to sit in and observe the class before committing?
What is the school's philosophy?
Will any pre-K skills be taught?
Are there any food allergies that you should be aware of?
What is their policy on dealing with conflict and discipline?
In what circumstances would you be contacted?