I've been struggling between nanny and daycare center for a while, and recently I found an in-home daycare close to us. What questions should I ask that's specific to in-home cares? Should I ask to see her physical certifications/licences? She says she has 4 part time and 5 full time and she does have an open spot for us (would be part time).
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We just interviewed a woman and she told us we didn't really ask the important questions. Haha. I would absolutely ask to see all their licenses. Also, who would take care of the children if the person was sick. And I would also ask about security, such as how they handle people coming and picking up.
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@Eko: great questions since those are the main diff between a center and in-home!! Thanks!! What did you think of yours?
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Back up care! That is a biggie. Also if she takes any vacation....ours takes a week off in july and also in dec (which coincides with our schedules, but it could be a huge hassle if not). I also wanted to know where the kids slept. E actually sleeps in a PnP upstairs, away from the other babies, now that she's older. Ask about whoever is helping. T's husband is often the second caregiver, which is great because he's a nurse
And pay. When T takes a day off, we don't have to pay her, which is nice. Also she gives us a week 'vacation' from paying her every year, so we only pay for about 49 weeks of care. Um.....I think those were the biggies I had questions about. Our in-home is really flexible.Find out what the difference is between licensed and unlicensed in your state. We use a non licensed daycare, and it means she can only have 4 kids there. Licensed daycares can have more.
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@blackbird: Ahh so helpful thank you! I'm going over there in half an hour so this is amazing!
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That sounds like a lot of kids for one person to watch?
Definitely ask for licensure. What happens if she's sick? Does she provide food or do you? Who else will regularly come in contact with the children? Does she take the kids outside to play? If so, does she have a fenced in yard? I would look around outside to make sure it's safe. If she lives on a busy street I would ask if they ever play in the front. Definitely scope out how well she has child proof her home. Where are the kids usually during the day? Do they have access to all non bedroom rooms? Or are they enclosed in one room and that's it?
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@regberadaisy: I don't think it's one person... I'm just corresponding with this one person. I'll def ask how many caregivers are present at all times and about backup!
Oh good point about yard. I see pictures of a a whole floor that seems to be for them but I'll def ask if they go anywhere else for any other reason. And how they go from their place to outside too.
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I'd ask about what "part time" means - does that mean only certain days of the week or partial days? Because she potentially has 9 kids at any one time right now and that is a lot for one person.
I'd inquire about the current range of ages and what she is willing to take in ages.
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@snowjewelz: Oh! how about potty training? We ran into some issues with this with E because T's house is carpeted and has couches, etc....accidents were NOT going to fly so we had to take it slow there. Whereas at home, we just wipe up and go (as would a daycare)
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@snowjewelz: W hasn't actually started yet, but I like her a lot. She's been watching kids for about 20 years. Her husband and two daughters sometimes help out. The city school principal and town selectman all send their kids to her. Also her son is on the city police force and Her house is around the corner from the fire station. Another thing to check about is if they will eventually provide meals.
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I'd also ask questions as it relates to your struggle between nanny and daycare center. An in-home could be a nice middle ground, but I'm not sure what your struggle is presently.
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Sounds like you would've already had your visit, so how did it go?
I would be concerned about the child/caregiver ratio since she has potentially 9 kids at once.
I would ask about any activities that they do, is there any sort of schedule with naps/meals, tv-time, etc.
Agreed with PP about where she will take naps. (my back-up daycare has everyone take naps together, and E's sleep is horrible; his normal daycare he takes naps in a separate room, so much better).
Do you have to pay if your LO is sick, or misses a day?
Does she have back-up, if not, make sure you have someone lined up.
Just make sure it's a safe area, fenced-in areas, pool?, is everything baby-proofed, etc. -
Also find out who else will be in the home and if they have background checks.
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Thank you everyone! So I didn't have a lot of time, so I have some follow-up questions to ask her over email about paying pretty much (like do I pay if I miss a day, etc).
It's a team of two (and DH actually knows one of them, so I feel 1000% better already). So pretty much one takes care of the toddlers and one the babies. I was able to see all their licenses and certificates (and both used to be teachers). I checked and they're def within their limits. Even she was saying my DD is the last one they can take.
There is a backyard, but only toddlers are allowed outside with supervision. A little bit if a bummer, but it's not a deal breaker either.
They have one big area that's totally child proofed where kids spend most of their time. I think the older kids to go into the "living room" for some activities. And they do take babies to diff parts of the house according to their needs (sleeping, separate playing if others are asleep, etc).
Currently, they don't really have back up options. But I didn't have time to really talk more in details, so I'm gonna write her about this again. This is also not an absolute deal breaker, as we make it work now between DH, my mom and MIL. So if they ever really aren't available, we won't be at a loss.
@MamaG: I think while there are some shortcomings to this home care, it's definitely in the right direction towards what I am looking for which is pretty much a toned down daycare with less kids and more flexibility.
@josina: I think the flexibility is the most appealing part. I told them DD really doesn't nap well outside of home, so they say they will absolutely put her to nap separate with white noise, etc.
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@snowjewelz: Sounds really great, esp. since they used to be teachers... do they do any kind of learning activities with them?
I know my daycare is teaching her daughter letters/numbers so I hope she does the same with E when he is older (or he's a genius baby and picks it up with her, lol).
Great that they have a separate sleep area, and that you have back up with your mom/MIL.
My fav. about in-home is less kids (less germs going around) and more one-on-one time.
Hopefully an easy decision for you! -
@josina: Haha! They do have structured things for the toddlers, and she says she does have activities for babies but not as structured. Is it silly if I ask whether she will send me pictures or a report at the EOD? Or is that too much to ask for an in-home?
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We use an in home daycare in our neighborhood and we love it. DD is now 22 months and has thrived there. Ours is certified and can have up to 8 kids. Which I guess does sound like a lot but most of DD's friends are older. Like 7-10 age range and they are mostly part time b/c of school. There are only like 3 full timer's, DD being one of them. DD was the youngest until she was over a year old and that was awesome. The part that does suck is the no back up care. If she's sick and closes we have to figure it out and when she takes vacation we have to figure that out too. However, between DH, myself and family it's worked out ok so far.
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@Ajsmommy: Thanks for sharing!! I agree that it is somewhat of a pain, but I also have options, as long as it doesn't happen all the time! How did she do there as a younger infant?
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@snowjewelz: I'm not sure if it's silly to ask but what we get from our daycare center is what she ate and when (this includes her formula), when she was diapered and why (Wet, BM and if cream was used), and what time her nap was. We don't get a photo everyday (I probably have 6-8 from the last 8 months total). Our daycare used to be paper based and just went to using an app.
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@snowjewelz: I let our in-home know that I'd love pictures, and she was great about sending me a photo each day for the first week. Now I just get them on occasion, but love them.
I will usually just get a verbal EOD report, how he ate/napped. -
@snowjewelz: She has always loved it. (well as much as we could tell when she was younger--lol) she has always been happy when we pick her up and now that she's older sometimes she doesn't even want to leave! She has a bunch of friends of all ages and they all play really well together. It's the cutest thing to see when you go pick them up. And another positive which I think you mentioned above is that she was only sick once when she was under the age of 1!!!! Our daycare lady doesn't do anything educational. She was open with us when we interviewed her and it was my biggest downfall.. but I did lots of research and got on board with the free play concept. And all has been good.
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@MamaG: yeah b/c I know all daycare centers provide updates/reports, but I'm not sure if it's too much to ask of an in-home daycare that's half the cost!
@josina: Ok, it's good to know what to expect. As long as they can tell me the details I don't care of it's verbal or written.
@Ajsmommy: I don't think you can fail with free play since it's such a part of how the learn~ Plus I feel like she will get more either way, so that won't be a big deal to me.
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@snowjewelz: I think I'd at least want to know the same things, even if not documented formally. It makes trying to figure out her crankiness in the evening so much easier. If it weren't written for us, I'd be asking all the questions at pick up.
And pay. When T takes a day off, we don't have to pay her, which is nice. Also she gives us a week 'vacation' from paying her every year, so we only pay for about 49 weeks of care. Um.....I think those were the biggies I had questions about. Our in-home is really flexible.Reply
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