We decided to cut bait and pull DS from his daycare immediately, instead of going to December 1. We only need part time child care, so we figured out the rest of November.
BUT now we have the task of finding a replacement. We're looking at both centers and in home caregivers. I was a preschool director right after college, but I'm drawing a blank! What questions would you ask? What specifically would you be looking for?
papaya / 10343 posts
I asked about teacher to kid ratios, schedules, whether they require vaccinations (didn't want to send to a place with unvacc'd kids since my LO will be starting so early), whether they provide food or if we send the food, how pick up/drop off worked (if there is a window or if it is any time), how payment worked, whether or not they take and send pics throughout the day, how they handle breast milk, if they allow cloth diapers.... that's all I can think of for now. I thought visiting was really helpful and gave me a really good feel for the place and cleanliness and attentiveness of teachers. Plus we were there for 45 minutes and I never saw a crying kid. Sort of incredible.
pomelo / 5621 posts
I think seeing the daycare and how it is going with the kids there will give you a good idea. Are the kids happy, is the place clean, are they getting attention from the teachers.
Things to ask about. Ratios, sick policy, hours, food, security, nap time, routines, discipline.
You will know when you go to one that is right for you.
apricot / 444 posts
Discipline and screen time (you'd be surprised) are two things you won't necessarily see firsthand on a visit, but you might want to know about.
pear / 1609 posts
I am starting to look at daycares tomorrow because I am planning on going back to work soon. I plan on asking the same questions everyone said above.
I was also going to ask how often diapers are changed (some places change every hour whether they are clean or not). What information I will be given about his day. And what supplies do I need to bring for him each day.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
Ratio
Often diaper changes
What do they teach? Sign laugage, life skills?
What do they provide?
Solid policy/views
How long do they stay in room
Education of teachers
Sick policy
Days they are closed
pear / 1510 posts
Additionally - how do they communicate how the day went? Is there a sheet or just informal conversation? What is the policy on combining rooms? Which teachers are going to be in the room at any given time? When LO's regular teachers go to lunch, will the same "floater" teacher be in the room every day? Are kids in the room all day or do they go for walks?
(We pulled LO from her first day care because it seemed like there was always a new "floater" in her room OR her teachers were split up between rooms so they could send people home. I hated them.)
grapefruit / 4278 posts
My Mom was an in-home provider while we were growing up and she suggested this list of questions when we were researching daycare for E.
- tell her what your situation is: does she anticipate an opening then?
- 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.
- check on sleeping arrangements for the baby/babies. In what? Where in the house? Monitors on site if they are out of view?
- how does she manage feeding and tending to 12 children? Is there others in the house that help out? Ages?
- 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?
- What is the illness policy? When can't you bring the child? Still pay for that day?
- Food - bring your own especially as an infant? What about when baby's older? What does she provide?
- 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?
- Does she have all of her policies and procedures written down and could you have a copy?
- References? How long have those families been with her?
nectarine / 2667 posts
The only thing I didn't see anyone mention that I think is important is asking about their turnover. I asked "How long have the infant room teachers been here?" and "What are their teaching backgrounds?"
I worked in daycares and the crummy ones had high turnover rates, with most teachers not even working there for a year.
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