https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 08:41:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2593338 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 07:13:43 +0000 regberadaisy 2593338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: if you're not getting good vibes then I would definitely keep looking!<br /> Our big things during a visit were keypad access, how clean the facility was, teacher/children interaction, how the different age groups were separated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2593311 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 05:00:05 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2593311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would keep looking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2593230 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:46:11 +0000 macintosh 2593230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: thanks! The more I think about it I just didn't have a good vibe there. My son was very excited to see the toys, kids, and playground though so I was second guessing myself. I'll keep looking for a backup. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2593216 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:27:34 +0000 yellowbird 2593216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: I toured a million preschools in my old town and my gut feeling was one of the most important factors in deciding. I wouldn't feel comfortable if I heard a teacher yelling at kids. That's a deal breaker for me for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2593102 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:43:38 +0000 macintosh 2593102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After my tour I have a few concerns with this daycare. First, I heard the teacher of the older kids outside yelling at them on the playground. She sounded kind of mean. Second, the place overall looked clean but the "parent/staff" bathroom was gross. It was dusty and dingy and yucky. I'm thinking this is a deal breaker. Thoughts? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2592990 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 14:13:48 +0000 macintosh 2592990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, should I dress up a bit? I'm currently wearing a tank top and yoga pants cause it's HOT out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2592975 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 14:00:35 +0000 kiddosc 2592975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These were some of the questions from when E was little. These were for an in-home, but many are still applicable/can be adapted to a center.<br /> - tell her what your situation is: expecting in mid-may, does she anticipate an opening then?<br /> - tell her the hours that you would be looking for and find out what hours she's open and what the late pick up policy is in case you should ever be late.<br /> - check on sleeping arrangements for the baby/babies. In what? Where in the house? Monitors on site if they are out of view?<br /> - how does she manage feeding and tending to 12 children? Is there others in the house that help out? Ages?<br /> - What are the fee policies. How much per day. Pay whether your bring the baby or not? Are you allowed vacation time at no pay (i.e. a week per year or...?) What happens when she goes on vacation? Is the center closed then?<br /> - What is the illness policy? When can't you bring the child? Still pay for that day?<br /> - Food - bring your own especially as an infant? What about when baby's older? What does she provide?<br /> - Does she ever take the children out of the home? Walks? Field trips? Play area in backyard? What type of transportation does she have if she takes the kids out?<br /> - Does she have all of her policies and procedures written down and could you have a copy?<br /> - References? How long have those families been with her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2592974 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 13:51:35 +0000 macintosh 2592974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: yes, food is a big one. He's like a bottomless snacking machine!</p> <p>@agold: yikes, that is scary! </p> <p>@MrsSRS: bummer! I've found some really nice teen/college sitters but none of them had regular hours available.</p> <p>@Mrsbells: good point. I am planning to enroll him in the village daycare when he turns 2, so I'll remember that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2592953 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 13:14:27 +0000 Mrsbells 2592953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: If you are only taking your LO one day a week, this might not apply to you but I always ask about their sick policy and how the administer medication. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2592951 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 13:12:57 +0000 MrsSRS 2592951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish we lived in the same city! I'm looking for more work sitting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2592948 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 13:11:24 +0000 agold 2592948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not to the point of touring day cares yet, but I did notice one thing when picking my niece up from preschool that alarmed me. Its the safety issue - can random sickos somehow view the kids from the street? I don't like that. Can anyone just walk into the facility or playground? Nope, unacceptable. Things may seem secure, but really take a look. My niece goes to school at a church. Most all of the school is secure with locked gates, but during the week, someone can go through the open sanctuary and then through a courtyard and onto the school campus. This is because bible studies are happening so they need access to the court yard, I was told. They said there are video cameras. But that's just crazy. Everything should be locked down at all times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2592938 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 12:56:24 +0000 JenGirl 2592938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hm. Some things are obvious, like hours and ratios. If you bring food or if they provide food. Things might be a bit different with one day per week, or drop-off care, but I asked about turn-over. And space/time outside. In retrospect, I really appreciate that my center has one "main" teacher for my son that coordinates all communication. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/touring-a-daycare#post-2592934 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 12:53:00 +0000 macintosh 2592934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not having much luck finding reliable babysitters, so I decided to tour a daycare center this afternoon. It's a Childtime center in the Chicago burbs and they have the option of 1 day a week or drop-in service and are actually really affordable.</p> <p>I have no daycare experience so I'm not sure what questions I should be asking. I'm sure I'll forget something. Any suggestions? </p>