parents: what would you look for?

Question

i want to open an in-home child care in my town. what are some things that a parent would look for when looking at the poster? and when they went to the house to check it out what are some more things that they would look for? i have a lot of excperiance with kids and babies. and live in a very nice neighborhood. thanks to all answers.

Answer 1

There are several things that my current sitter has that I really like.....They have a fenced in back yard where all the kids play stuff is at....that makes me feel a little better....Nothing against anyone but you can't watch every child every second and kids have a tendancy to sneek off....with the fence at least the can't run into the street or something...

I also look for good lunch programs...or at least ask what kind of food they provide....Make sure when you talk to people you provide referances if possible....I know I won't let someone watch my kid without some good referances from others....

It should be a nice clean home....not necesarly perfect, because my house is not either, but a clean organized home....

Answer 2

For a poster, treat it like a resume. Any certifications you have, CPR, and school training for working with children, medical training, years as a mom to how many, etc. Make an invitation to call for more info and to come see it. Maybe do informal open house on a weekend so the parents could meet and so could the children? I've never seen it done for in home but I always go to the ones in buisiness settings: YMCA, etc.

In the home, I looked for safety devices for cupboards, electronics, toilets and baby gates for stairs and kitchens. Having seperate areas depending on age is important if you will have different ages mixing together.
Appropriate playthings and activities so the parents know that the kids wont be babysat by the TV or video games.
Well stocked and cleaned kitchen is also a big one.

You should a set rule about sick children or children taking medications as well. Sometimes a cold can be very mild but in any afterschool care or babysitting environment, it can be like the plague and take everyone (including you and your family) with it.

Sorry, I could go on forever! It is a lot of rules, structure, cleanliness and love.

Answer 3

I would look for your license for starters

And your CPR certificate

I think it's important too that you hold interviews with potential clients when my child is not there...so interview on YOUR time...not MINE...(You never know what psycho is prowling Daycare facilities just to steal babies)..so protect my baby as you're being paid to do and conduct your business when my baby isn't there.

And that you will not be driving in the car with the children unless there is an absolute emergency...(there's nothing that bugs me more than these stay at home daycare women who think that it's ok to cart my kid around town so that they can run their errands...I'm not paying you to run errands...I'm paying you to care for my baby...run your errands like I do...After work!)

And that your house was clean

And that you did not have indoor cats

And that you had age appropriate toys

And that it's a stimulating learning environment without being hectic and chaotic and overstimulating.

And that you're house was "baby proof"

And that you didn't have a herd of other kids...

And that you had seperate assigned play yards for the different babies to sleep in.

These are a few that come to mind...the top 4 being the most important.

Answer 4

When I looked for one for my baby I went to three homes and all of them were a meeting with the provider while she was alone and a tour of a clean home. The fourth one was a retired teacher and she had two grandkids and another child she watched there at the time. Once i saw that she didn't have to "get ready" for me to come and that she could talk to me as well as handle the children I was sold. She was great, still is. My son has been with her from 8 months until now (15 mos) and she is like a grandma to him. I even moved farther away from her house but I still take him there.
parents look for a warm personality. they want someone to treat their kids as they were their own. A clean safe house with lots of kid friendly toys and videos is good. The house should be big enough for the children to roam. If you are gooing to be doing the daycare in one room (Basement) make sure it looks spacious and is safe.

Answer 5

I'm a mother of two children and theses are just a few things i would look for, child proof everything. I would like to know as a parent that nothing is in harms way when i leave my child in another persons care. Depending on the age group in which your care well cover, make sure snacks & toys are within their age groups. A close friend of mine, her mother has a home based daycare.She's turned her family room into a space for the children.Its a great place with lots of room and leads right into the backyard. Also a great idea for the parents to have, is something about your self and what background you have with children. I.e you have children, you've taken child classes, you've watched for family or friends. Knowing what kind of history you have on paper shows them the kind of care you have to offer them. If you've watched for people, offer names and numbers if you can. Most people wont care, but for alot people it shows that your great with children and helps ease any concern they may have. Let parents walk around the area in which the children well spend most of their time. I like this iead because i can ask a few things and cover any other concerns i have as a parent. Always remember to ask about the child, knowing if she can't eat corn or may get sick from drinking milk is always a plus. And tells the parents that you take what you do to heart. In the end all these things well lead to great things and people well tell their friends about your childcare and how they felt and you'll do great. Wish you lots of luck. ^_^

Answer 6

Cleanliness (of course)
Babyproofing
Space
A place for each child to lie down for a nap
Setups for, and evidence of, activities other than tv/movies
Happy, clean children
Space for outside play, and appropriate playground equipment (nothing major, but something like a swingset, or the little plastic slide for toddlers)
Healthy, appropriate food in the fridge and cabinets
Fewer than around 4 babies, or 8 toddlers/preschoolers (if you're the only caregiver)



This isn't the case with everyone, but I wouldn't put my kids in any home daycare where there are inside pets, much older kids (older than around 11 years old), or smokers

Answer 7

I look for-

License (cover ratios, building codes, playground codes etc)
Early ed training (either community college or college level)
Continuing training by going to lectures during the year
CPR/First Aid certificate
Good curriculum that is appropriate to the age/dev of the children
Teacher with a true interest in the students
Staff that enjoys what they do
Children that seem engaged
Clean facitlity with appropriate toys (including educational toys)
Open door policy

Pretty much the same applies for an inhome day care as well. Check with your states regulatory agency to be sure you are with in the guidelines for the state.

Answer 8

Safety and certifcation is first. Also a fenced yard. Experience and references. Plus cleanliness and organization.

We looked at a number of them, some in small homes, that were greatly organized, and some in large ones, that put pack and plays and their own really messy kids rooms - which turned us off. When we went in for interviews too, we also saw some with the kids plastered to the TV, which we didnt like. Thought the kids should be able to play independently, and not need the TV as a babysitter.

Plus the meals were important - such as serving wheat bread instead of white.

The one we're with now is great. They come home with art projects everyday, great swingset outside, and soooo organized.

Answer 9

I don't know about the posters but the rest is this: 1. I'd make sure you had a license. 2. I'd check and make sure that you have child proofed the house, such as safety locks on the cabinets, outlet plugs covered, no meds or cleaning products in reach. 3. I'd make sure your house was clean and that you spoke intelligently because I don't want my child learning words that he shouldn't be saying. 4. I'd check every reference you had. 5. I'd make sure you had a car in case of emergency.

That should get you started. Good luck!

Answer 10

I would like someone professional yet warm with a spotless home and an obvious affection for children.

I'd also want to make sure that you had all the licensing that you needed and were insured.

Are there any references that you could have at the ready? Phgone numbers of people whose children you have cared for? Teachers who would vouch for you? College credits in education? ALl of these things would be huge plusses.