Hellobee Boards

How exciting!

These were the questions/topics that were important to us (in no particular order):

-Teacher to child ratio (ideally we wanted 1:5, but would have been okay with 1:6)
-Require vaccinations?
-Provide meals/snacks? Which ones and what type of food?
-How does pick-up/drop-off work?
-What security measures are in place?
-Do the teachers take and send pics throughout the day?
-How does nap time work?
-Do the teachers follow a daily routine or schedule?
-How is discipline handled?
-Do you allow screen time?
-How often are diapers changed?
-What supplies do you need to provide? (Diapers? Sheets? Etc)
-What sort of skills are taught?
-How and when is potty training handled?
-What is your sick policy?
-What days should I expect you to be closed? Holidays/weather?
-How do you communicate how his day went to me?
-What is your late pick-up policy/fees?
-Would D be allowed to drop-off late?
-Do you have video monitors in the classrooms that I can access?
-How often are children taken outside?
-What is your teacher turnover (we weren't interested in a place with a high turnover)
-What is the typical educational background of your teachers?
-Are your teachers first aid and CPR certified? How often are do they need to be re-certified?
-Are background checks done on your teachers?
-Is you center NAECY certified?
-How does tuition work?
-Will grandparents be allowed to pick-up?

I felt like it was a lot of questions, but probably 3/4 of them were answered on the tour.

@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.

@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.'

Oh wow, I asked no questions, I went totally on gut feeling.

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).

@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.

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.