What do I need to ask

lisar wrote: Okay I am putting Raygen in daycare I have 4 appointment tomorrow to go and check them all out. I am forgetting things to ask them. Can yall give me some good questions to ask. PLEASE!!!! Thanks yall.

Danalana replied: Good question! I found this...

Is the center licensed to provide childcare? If so, by whom?
Does the center accept infants?
How many providers actively care for the babies? (One for every three infants is ideal, even if state requirements allow more infants per provider.)
What is the staff turnover rate?
What is the training of the center director and staff in early childhood development, first aid, infant CPR and choking?
Is the center bright, attractive, clean, safe, big enough?
Are the babies separated from the older children? Does each baby have her own crib?
Are appropriate safety and prevention measures in place?
What is a typical day like?
Are many different types of learning experiences offered?
What types of discipline techniques do the providers use? (There should be no discipline used on infants.)
Is there "life" in the center or home? Do the providers seem to enjoy their jobs?
Are staffers friendly and warm toward the children?
Are babies held when fed? How often are they held and rocked?
Are babies regularly played with, cuddled, taken outdoors?
What is the staff's approach to soothing a crying baby?
How frequent are diaper changes?
Is the provider willing to take notes on a baby's daily schedule and activities?
Do parents participate? How?
Are parents encouraged, and able, to visit any time during the day?
Will the center store breast milk and feed it to your baby?
How well do the director and staff seem to communicate? Do your communication styles mesh?
How does your baby respond to the caregivers?

I hope that helps!

EDIT: I didn't realize it was mostly for baabies...but some of it works! maybe I can find something else.

Danalana replied: here's a few better ones!

What hours and days is care offered?
Are emergency numbers posted?
What is the first-aid protocol?
What are the rules regarding the handling of child illness?
How does the center handle giving medications?
Is a form required to authorize medical services?
What type of backup care can be arranged in case of provider or child illness?



What is the base charge? Is there an additional charge for overtime or late pickup?
Must you pay when the child is absent?

lisar replied: Thanks Dana some of them I can use on my toddler. Thats a great list.

Boo&BugsMom replied: I wish I would have seen this sooner Lisa!!! Keep us posted. I hope it all goes well! Let me know if you have any questions or see something that poses a red flag.

Number one thing...ask to see the parent handbook and read it over THOUROUGHLY! That will answer most of your questions about policies and procedures.

Kaitlin'smom replied: one thing is you have an appointment which is great but if you can show up early to them that will tell you something right there. If they seemed annoyed or rushed you showed up early it mgiht say something about them but if the welcome you right away thats a good sign. I would also as if you allowed to just pop in whenever you want.

luvmykids replied: I'd ask about their discipline policies too...a good daycare will tell you that they don't physically discipline the kids, and that food isn't witheld as punishment, etc...my old daycare had it listed right on the door, that discipline was to be handled in a manner that did not compromise the childs dignity, safety, or basic needs, etc...

Boo&BugsMom replied: Lisa, are you looking at large group centers or home providers? That will also make a difference in the questions you would ask.

bawoodsmall replied: Ohh...also ask how they feel about you staying with Raygen. For instance in our old daycare it was ok to sit with Emily and let her get comfortable where as with the new place it is a no no really. I did it anyways but some of the staff didnt really care for it kwim. I also think routine is key imo. It is also important to like Dana said get a feel for it. You can tell if this is just a job for these people or if they really love these kids. Ask about how often rates go up. And make sure everything is in the document you sign. Like if they say oh you dont have to pay when she isnt here but it isnt in the contract. I would just hate to have vacations planned and have to pay for child care also. GOOD LUCK! Hopefully she will adjust quickly.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
About the vacation, now this isn't everywhere...but this is how I always did it. I always gave my families a certain amount of "free" days to use throughout the year. Depending on the number of days they were contracted for, they would get a number of days free to use when they wanted when a child was absent. Example: 5 full days a week=10 days free per calendar year. Parents used these for sick days or vacations days (but could not use them for my vacation days or holidays), but after they were used, tuition was paid for regardless. Doing it any other way allows for the business to fail, being that there are kids gone all the time. Most places base their tuition on enrollment, not attendance because otherwise the business would not be able to keep afloat (in-home or group center).

Just know that this is the norm. AND...if a center chooses to not collect based on enrollment (meaning paying whether the child is there or not), be prepared for them to change their policy down the line...they always do after they realize how much they are being shafted.

Make sure you sign a tuition contract!

Also, remember that even if a policy says something, the center/provider has every right to change that policy at any time upon communicating it to the clients. That includes rates.

Just a side note...the one thing that always irks me is when parents think that they are the provider's boss if it is an in-home. Ah, NO! I ran a business, and I had my policies for a reason, and I was my own boss, it was MY home. No different than any other business...they are clients, not bosses, and they must follow policy like any other business demands. If a parent goes in thinking they are the center's/provider's boss, you'll get another thing coming to you. And, it will not work out and it's best for those types to just not use childcare. You wouldn't believe some of the stories I've heard. I wish everyone would just realize that when you are dealing with an in-home, THEY are not our bosses. Honestly, if I had a parent who treated it as such, they would be terminated...and they normally do in the end.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I was so completely shocked that Claudia was going into Day Care at the age of 1, I really didn't know what to ask. We went on reputation, how she interacted on our visit with the Child Care provider. They gave us a copy of there menu and let us tour the Day Care, even areas that Claudia wasn't going to be going into for quite some time. I think DH asked a few questions, but it was mainly gut instinct for me. Sorry I don't have any advice, but I hope you find the right Day Care!

boyohboyohboy replied: there is also supposed to be a list of the recent state visits for the home in the lobby you can always ask to see that and see what they were deficient in.
and i always ask who is trained in cpr and basic first aide, because i was shocked to find that not all homes are required to have this, some do it for themselves, but they are not mandated to.
that is important to me.
good luck

bawoodsmall replied:
Yeah I am extremely lucky in that we dont pay if they are not there like on vacations and stuff. Our provider runs 3 centers in town so they are not hurting for business by any means. They have been in business for 18 years.

I do disagree with the fact that you dont think a parent is your boss unless I am misunderstanding. Maybe that is why we chose a center and not dayhome. If it is my child and I say dont feed her any bottles then they had better not be giving her any bottles. I prob misunderstood you though.

Also just a note that it is ok to have different opinions. That makes the world go round.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Oh no, I don't mean boss in that way. Yeah, you were off base a bit. I mean as far as following policies and that of the like. A friend of mine had a parent who thought she could just come in an hour late because she felt she was the boss. Um, no. LOL This same parent thought she could just decide when to pay the provider the tuition. Again, no. LOL Things like that. There are policies and those policies are to be followed. That was my point. I agree, if a parent wouldn't want their baby to have something, they shouldn't be giving it to them, unless it was something having to do with a food program guideline, but that is a whole other thread! LOL As "boss" I mean the one who dictates policies and procedures.. But, if a provider/center has their act together right those parents know all the policies ahead of time and then the parents can make the decision if that is the place for them or not. I firmly believe in a partnership, meaning working together with the parents. But, there also has to be understanding that things are done a certain way for a reason. I had one parent who didn't understand that I didn ot put kids down for naps at all different times during the day, unless it's an infant. Arg! I also had one who wanted me to feed her child (age 2) at a different time than the other kids because she was use to certain time at home for lunch. AHH! It would make for a very chaotic day if I allowed that. So, I said no, this was our schedule, you can chose to abide by it or find somewhere else. Which reminds me...daily schedules are very important! Look for a place that has a scheudule in every room, aside from the babies that is. Parents just need to understand that it is a place of business, with policies, that need to be respected. I was lucky to have almost all very respectful parents who understood that and gave me the respect I deserved.

bawoodsmall replied: Yeah I thought I was off base. That stuff totally makes sense.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Oh Lisa! How did things go?