I am looking for a daycare for my 6 month old, i am really nervous, what should i look for?

Question

i am going to go back to college so it will only be hal a day monday through friday but it is so nerve racking.

Answer 1

You can't find a family member to watch her? I have never put my kids in daycare and never will. My friend's kids have been sexually abused at their daycare and my cousin's son was pushed down a flight of stairs at a daycare. When my mom was a cop, she had gone to a call where a 6 month old baby was molested and they had broke her legs. I am totally against daycare. I would rather stay home with my kids knowing that they're safe and have no college education than to put them in danger. I just think that it's important for you to know some of the things that go on at daycares and alot of people think that it won't happen to them. It doesn't matter if they're licensed or not, they still do it. Please think about this long and hard. Good luck.

Answer 2

Tour each facility that you're interested in. Make sure they're licensed. Check out the cleanliness of each, ask if they drug test and background check their employees, make sure they have someone that can do CPR. See if they lock the doors throughout the day, I live in a big city with a lot of crime - I think all the daycare centers here lock the door and you have to be buzzed in. I have my children at a home daycare and even she has the door locked between certain hours and she doesn't let even my children open the door for me. Safety is very important, I know even at the home daycare she started having us sign in/out our children.

Ask how they are equipped to handle a fire, how they practice fire drills. Have them show you the room where your baby will sleep and play, and the employees that will be in that room. Make sure they have an area to change babies - I had my son in one home daycare (for maybe two days), the second day I went to pick him up he was crying, she said he needed to be changed so she took him into her kitchen and laid him down on her kitchen table to change him and banged the back of his head on the table. I told her to give me my baby now and I would take care of him and I never went back to her. I cried for about an hour I was so upset, he was fine but I just couldn't believe it. About a week later I found a fabulous home daycare and he's been with her for 4 1/2 yrs and I now have my 6 mos old there too.

Review their rules on providing medication to your baby if necessary, what they do if your child is sick and the times that they are open - most are 6 am to 6 pm.

It'll be ok, just trust your instincts; if you feel weird about a place then do not bring your child there. Also, let your baby meet some of the people, if your baby likes them that tells you something. My son was 4 months old, had a cold and pink eye the day we met with our daycare provider and he immediately went to her and didn't cry - that's saying something, children know a good person.

Answer 3

Look for a daycare that is state licensed. Check with the better business bureau in your area for good daycares. Ask other parents for suggestions. Visit any daycares to inspect their facilities. See how many kids per teacher they have. Check on how clean the facilities are kept. Any place that is worth a darn won't mind a visit, and answering questions. Also, check to see if the college you plan to attend has a daycare. A lot of them do.

Answer 4

The most important thing is that they are a daycare that is LISENCED by the state. You also want to find out how much expirience the provider has, as well as the worker to child ratio. If there is one worker managing eight children then your child will probably get less attention then a day care with two workers for eight kids. Once you find a daycare you like, ask for the names of the parents who also send their kids to that daycare and find out what they think about it. The best thing that you can do is ask questions.

Answer 5

Hi,
I was a daycare teacher for a couple years. The best thing to do, is talk to the director of the school, see the class room where your child will be, and anywhere your child might be. Like the kitchen, play yard, other areas. Most schools will let you anywhere you want to go. They will not hide anything, after all its your child. Check for cleanliness, make sure you dont smell stinky diapers, or see food or toys laying around. Look at the other kids your child will be with, do they look healthy and happy? Ask to observe your childs class for a bit, and then ask if your child can participate, see how she acts with the teacher. Ask if there are other teachers that will be in that room and meet them. Ask questions.. they actually like that.
I hope this helps you!

Answer 6

I can understand why you are nerves.
I would (I don't have any kids) never send my child to daycare because of abusiers.

But, if your a single parent you really have no choice.
You could always have a good friend or family member watch your baby (If thats a choice).
Could you possibly find a college that has a daycare center in it?

Answer 7

I know how you feel, I went trough that one point, is hard to trust someone to take care of one of your child's is just never the right one to do it, but before any thing check and mark all want you looking for, and the best ones are licensed by the county, city and drive by unexpected Good luck!

Answer 8

I am going through the same thing right now, and one thing my mother suggested is to drop by where ever your thinking of looking into unannounced. So you can see how things are going when they are not expecting you. (Also I've considered having a recording of my baby screaming (she's colicky) while I talk and interview them just to see how they react)

Answer 9

Licensed, CPR trained, child to adult ratio, clean center,
http://www.tinyprints.com/seven-things-consider-choosing-childcare.htm