What are the best questions to ask when considering a daycare?

Question

I am considering putting my kids in daycare and have no idea where to begin the selection process. I know a few things I want to know such as how many children to each person, what policies do they have concerning parent visits. but I would like some opinions from moms and dads that have children in daycare. What questions did you ask in your selection process and did you visit the daycare first. If you did, what types of things did you look for?

I know this sounds silly because I am the parent, but I really just want some other opinions so that I don't ask to see the daycare and the people look at me like I am a pyscho or something.


Btw my kids that are going in daycare are 2 years and the other one is 6 months.

WI MOM...what do you think I have been doing for the past two freaking years? Big duh!!!!! But financially, we have to have two incomes and I cannot keep working 8 hours at night and come home and take care of my children to the best of my ability. They will only be staying 5 hours a day (so I can sleep you jerk), so how is that making me a bad parent? It isn't, it makes me a parent that realizes that no matter how much I want to, I just can't stay at home with my kids. Or would you rather I quit work and let them go hungry? What an idiot.

RRK...I stayed home for two freaking years......so obviously at one poin financially I could handle things. As far as me spreading my legs, there are far worse people than me out there parenting, yet I do not see anyone jumping them. It is idiotic to jump someone for putting their kids in daycare. I mean, seriously, some stay at home moms aren't worth their salt either. I am tired of defending my decision and you are a very callous person if you can't understand my decisions. Parents choose to raise thier kids in different ways and daycare is not the worst thing I could do to my kids. At least I am not out drinking, doing drugs and completely neglecting them. You don't know me and you don't know how I treat my kids, so why don't you keep your stupid opinion to yourself. I am sure you aren't perfect either, seeing as how you aren't God, you know?

Answer 1

This is a very good and important question, because you're putting your little ones in the hands of complete strangers. You must trust these people with your children's mental and physical well-being.

Looking back, I really didn't make too many mistakes....(my child had to go to daycare when she was 6 weeks old...poor thing.)

1. You must take a tour of the day care center. Go at least two different times.
Does it smell good?
Is it clean?
Are the kids running around with dirty diapers?


2. Talk to other parents who go to the daycare center. What are their likes and dislikes?

3. Is the daycare secure?

4. Who's the owner of the daycare? If you can, ask how long the workers have been working there? If there is a high turnover....alarm.

5. How far is it from my house?


I hope that you're not under any pressure to get daycare. I think this is a process which should be done with patience and care.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Making the choice to have to put your child(ren) in daycare, is 1 of the hardest choices you will make. And I commend you, for doing what is best for you and your family. As a parent of 5 and a Lic. Foster Parent & Home Childcare Provider I know how hard it is. Don't let these other parents/people make you feel like any less of a parent, because you are making a HUGE sacrifice, so that your children will be able to have what they need.
To answer your question:
First off every city has a Resource & Referral Agency. You can contact them and they can actually tell you all the home daycares & centers with in a 1 mile area from your home or work.
Then with that list, you can begin to call each daycare. When you can keep these things in mind:
1. How professional do the people sound when answering the phone? Is their alot of background noise/screaming/laughing?
2. What does their program offer? Activities, Food Program, Preschool, Field Trips, Potty Training, Parents Night Out, Holiday Parties, Arts & Crafts, etcetc.
3. What is their Caregiver to child ratio?
You want your cchildren to have continuity of care, which means the same caregivers most the time.
4.When you go to visit, don't just pick the 1st place you visit. Look at the place. Is it neat, clean, safe, Suitable sleeping & eating areas, is there alot of child friendly places, toys. Outside is there play equiptment?
Then you can always check on them by calling your Community Care Licensing Division in your City, and they will tell you if that provider has had complaints or suspected child abuse etc.
I really hope that helps.

Answer 3

I agree with your comments to WI Mom! There is absolutely nothing wrong with putting your kids in daycare while you work during the day! The best thing to do to start is visit the daycare to see if it is clean and how the other children there seem to be and what types of activities they do with the kids. Also ask about the qualifications of the staff, if they have degrees in Early Childhood education, etc. If you see other parents there talk to them and tell them you are considering that centre for your children and ask them about what their child thinks about and ask them their experiences with the centre. Most centres expect the parent to go in and check the place out.....I would just walk in though and not schedule a visit....that way you can see how it is run without them possibly preparing for your visit.

Answer 4

ive worked in a daycare so ask this.....
Can i have a list of references from you and the day care? (by you i mean the director, the head honcho running the day care)
How long have you been a director?
What are your guidlines on snacks and lunch's?
How much play time (free time) to the children have?
How structured is your daily schedule? (some are too strict)?
How do you disiplin a unruly child?
Are all your employees credited to work here? (dont have to ask but its good to know)
Are parents aloud to do a drop in visit without notice? (if she says no, find another day care)
Do you have a incident/accedent report proceedure?
I cant think right now, but if i come up with more, ill edit.

Answer 5

find out if they are licensed by the state, check to see if they have any cases against them, find out the ages of the sitters and what experience they have, find out what kind of emergency training they have. They need to know first aid and the hymlich manover and cpr at least. What kind of discipline do they use. Do they have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. What is the maximum number of children they will keep. How long have they been in business

What kind of background check has been done on the workers.
Look for whether the place is clean and sanitary. See if any of the childern are crying and if so why? Check for pointed corners. Are there caps on the electric plugs? Are there child proof locks on bottom cabinet doors. Is there a fenced in yard with a lock on the gate. How does your child interact with the staff.
Good luck
EDIT: Some of you people are STUPID. Why a thumbs down.?? I want my child to be safe and secure and you give me thumbs down. And you give the asker attitude because she needs to work. Your children deserve better parents....one with some sense.

Answer 6

I would ask about training and experience of the teachers and helpers. And also about turn-over rates if you are going to a center. Having your child get attached to a caregiver only to have her be taken away is not a good thing (with high turnover this is more likely). Ask about the daily schedule, policies on sick days/vacation days/school out days (even though your kids are too little for it to affect them, you want to be sure the ratio will not be too high on those days). Ask about pick-up times and the lateness policy. Ask about food...if you are supposed to bring your two-year-old lunch or if they take care of it. And be sure to ask around for some parents opinions who use the center before you enroll them. A couple of unplanned visits before that can tell you a lot about the center as well (like if they actually uphold all the things they told you.)

Answer 7

When I was raising my kids, I refused to seek outside daycare. So I got a license and did it at home to have my children close by.
Most parents questions to me where:
How many children do you care for besides your own?
Can I see your license and who is your social worker?
What are your hours on dropping off and picking up?
What are your requirements on vacations?
Will you take a sick child on meds?
How much do you charge for each child?
Do you feed them , breakfast, & lunch? [ or just Lunch and Snacks ]
Do they take naps and for how long?
What activities do you provide?
What do you supply if child is under 1 year? [diapers, baby wipes, baby food, if I did I would charge more, if they did I would give credit ]
Am I required to sign a contract? [yes they where]
Do you have any dangerous pets?
Are children supervised all the time?

Hope this helps you.

Answer 8

WI Mom is no idiot. She's right.

What question should you ask? Why did you spread your legs to have kids when a) you didn't have the financial resources to properly care for them, and b) you ended up stuffing them daycare? And you think she's an idiot. Amazing.

Raise your own kids. Take responsibility for your actions. Report back here when you kids are teens and let us know how this daycare thing worked out for you.

Edit:
Your edited question directed at me says it all. You rationalize your actions by saying, "there are worse parents than me." And two (of eighteen) years raising your children were "freakin'"? Really? Sorry, my mistake. Your children WILL do better in daycare with educated people, who have the right attitude and skills. Find one today, please.

Answer 9

What will my children be doing everyday? What will you be feeding them? How many other kids are there (The daycare worker might be too caught up in the other kids to take care of your children)

Answer 10

Why not ask yourself some tough questions first?
Why have children that you don't intend to raise?
Children need and deserve the full time attention of a loving parent. Wait to dump your children into an institution. Your family will be better for it.