https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 23:50:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529852 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 13:23:24 +0000 heffalump 1529852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL was a preschool director and just gave us this tip to ask when we tour- Ask if they have an open door policy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529838 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 13:19:35 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1529838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TemperanceBrennan: it will be tight either way - but we're figuring it out! I'll still be PT at work with a FT daycare bill, because I'll be FT at the nursing program at my school... so money is definitely a factor as well. We're still trying to figure out other areas we can save in order to make this work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529834 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 13:18:02 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1529834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I hope you love it! There is a daycare less than 0.2 miles from our house and I daydream of walking to and from it with our future little ones. I think the convenience is worth $60 dollars a week if you can fit it comfortably in your budget. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529832 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 13:17:40 +0000 plantains 1529832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also think that gut feeling is a huge factor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529797 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 13:04:08 +0000 looch 1529797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh wow, I asked no questions, I went totally on gut feeling.</p> <p>Well, not entirely true, I did ask how they would handle a gradual transition to the center and what suggestions they had for my son's particular challenges (never having been to daycare, needing a sleepsack and a pacifier for naps). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529772 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:59:05 +0000 autumnlove 1529772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just went on gut feeling. I had a list but I never used it. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529748 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:53:56 +0000 Bookish 1529748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: If you have a good gut feeling, and they answer your questions to your satisfaction, then jump on it! We toured 5-6, but it was one of the last ones where we finally felt 'at home.' </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529735 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:51:06 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1529735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: good to hear! The only concern with this place is that it is $60 more a week than an in home (other centers are similarly priced or more), which is tempting me to consider an in-home... but I just cannot get over the convenience factor of this center. Since DH and I share a car, and DH normally walks/bikes for work, it would allow him to do drop-offs/pick-ups when he goes in later or gets off earlier than I do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529729 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:48:35 +0000 lovehoneybee 1529729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: We ended up going with the first place on our list, which was our #1 choice going in. They had everything we were looking for, we were impressed with the staff and facility, the location and price were what we were looking for, and they had an immediate opening. I had two other tours scheduled, but I canceled them. It's possible I might have loved another place more, but I'm thrilled with where he ended up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529710 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:44:26 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1529710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: this is amazing - thank you!! Very helpful.</p> <p>How many places did you tour? Since this is #1 on our list, I'm wondering if I should even view other places if I love it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529621 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:17:43 +0000 lovehoneybee 1529621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How exciting! </p> <p>These were the questions/topics that were important to us (in no particular order):</p> <p>-Teacher to child ratio (ideally we wanted 1:5, but would have been okay with 1:6)<br /> -Require vaccinations?<br /> -Provide meals/snacks? Which ones and what type of food?<br /> -How does pick-up/drop-off work?<br /> -What security measures are in place?<br /> -Do the teachers take and send pics throughout the day?<br /> -How does nap time work?<br /> -Do the teachers follow a daily routine or schedule?<br /> -How is discipline handled?<br /> -Do you allow screen time?<br /> -How often are diapers changed?<br /> -What supplies do you need to provide? (Diapers? Sheets? Etc)<br /> -What sort of skills are taught?<br /> -How and when is potty training handled?<br /> -What is your sick policy?<br /> -What days should I expect you to be closed? Holidays/weather?<br /> -How do you communicate how his day went to me?<br /> -What is your late pick-up policy/fees?<br /> -Would D be allowed to drop-off late?<br /> -Do you have video monitors in the classrooms that I can access?<br /> -How often are children taken outside?<br /> -What is your teacher turnover (we weren't interested in a place with a high turnover)<br /> -What is the typical educational background of your teachers?<br /> -Are your teachers first aid and CPR certified? How often are do they need to be re-certified?<br /> -Are background checks done on your teachers?<br /> -Is you center NAECY certified?<br /> -How does tuition work?<br /> -Will grandparents be allowed to pick-up? </p> <p>I felt like it was a lot of questions, but probably 3/4 of them were answered on the tour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-scheduled-my-first-daycare-tour#post-1529599 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:06:37 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1529599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so excited :) It's our top choice at this point (by looks only - not having met anyone or seen the facility), it's right next door to our apartment building - so that is a huge factor for us.</p> <p>Tips? What questions should I ask? </p>