Questions for daycare

[TerryKitten]

We are first time parents... In a month or so my DH and I are going to have to put my son into daycare part-time. He will be 12 weeks. We were hoping to avoid daycare this soon, but we couldn't workout a better work schedule when I return to work. We visited the daycare that is a few blocks from were we work. It seem really nice and the plus of it being so close we can go visit any time and see him. This is a daycare center. They take kids from 6-weeks to Kindergarden. We were told that the infants stay in the infant room till they can walk an then are promoted to the toddler room. When they asked if we had any questions, I really drew a blank. Ask about rates and what they do w/ them during the day, but what else should we have asked?

-tk

 

[Alice28]

Hi neighbor! I would ask if you have to pay for days your child does not attend or do you have a certain number of "Vacation/sick" days. Ask what their staff ratio and turnaround is..if they have a high trunaround it might not be a great place to work and maybe not attract the most high quality people. Ask about feeding schedules, naptime, what they do to stimulate the babies. Ask if they are open during adverse weather. Ask if you can come in and just observe for a little while. Ask what their late policy is..that's what pops in my head right now. I come from both sides of this- being a parent and being the daycare provider.

Where in OR do you live? I am in the Portland area.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I would ask alot of the cleanliness questions -
Are the employees trained in proper handwashing? Inspect the diaper changing area. Make sure disinfectant and soap are present because if they aren't right there you know it's not being used. Ask how often the sheets on their cribs are changed and laundered. Ask how often the toys are sterilized.

Also, are the babies put down for naps on a schedule or on demand? Make sure the bottles are properly stored and covered.

Ask to see their daily sign-in and sign-out sheets. They should also be keeping records of when kids are changed and fed in the baby room. Ask how often physical head counts are done. A well run facility will require that the paperwork be done. Ask how employee break times are handled -- are the staff/child ratios maintained during those times? Check on their security procedures. Is the front door lock and access to the children carefully monitored?

Make sure that you will be allowed to drop in at ANY TIME for any reason. If the answer is no for any reason at all --- do not use that Center. It's a really good thing to make surprise visits often.

Inspect the playground carefully. 12 weeks is too young but it won't be long. Make sure no trash is out there and that all safety standards are met.

Ask about immunization requirements. If they don't require up to date immunizations from you -- or they let the paperwork slide a little -- it can be a sign that other standards aren't important to them.

Most Counties/States have a liscensing bureau for Daycare Centers. Check to see if there are any complaints against them. I once visited a Center that looked like the Taj Mahal, but when I went to check them out, they were near being shut down.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

It's probably required, but I would make sure the employees are certified in first aid/cpr.

 

[ahutton]

Here is a state link to information for Oregon:

http://findit.emp.state.or.us/childcare/index.cfm?

This site has information on questions to ask, and an index of laws and regulations. Here is the organization they refer you to to find child care:

http://www.occrrn.org/

I have 2 kids, both started in a day care center when they were 6-7 weeks old. Both have done extremely well. Meet the teachers who will be with you child every day, and trust your instincts. What someone else mentioned about turnover is huge, our current center has at least one of the same teachers in the class since our older DD started 3 years ago, most have been there since within 90 days of the center opening. We've been thrilled with their service.

 

[pumba]

schedule or do you have to go by theirs....like naps and such.....a baby that is only a few months old are not quite into a routine and they may mess it up.....how many times do they check diapers....some only do it when they have a mess and maybe every second hour......I took care of my neighbors little boy......we had so much time on my lap....so much time on the mat....so much time in the swing...so much time .....get the picture....good that you can visit at any time at all......some do not want their schedule screwed up.....how do they warm up the bottles.....microwave (some types of formula do not do well in microwaves).....how long do they let them cry.......

 

[amid chaos]

Ask if he will nap in the same crib every day. ask if sheets are changed every day. ask if you are to bring in diapers, bottles, formula, favorite nap blanket.

 

[mommytotwo]

Try to see if they will give you a daily list of what he does and what is done while he is at daycare. For example the list would give you information how when he ate and how much-milk or solid foods, when did he have a b.m., and what other things happened during the day that you would need to know. By having this type of communication with the providers, you will be able to know if he did have a b.m instead of worrying, you will know why he is fussy because of his nap times at daycare... there may be times that you will not have the time to talk to the providers or vice versa, so the note is really nice cause it can just be slipped into the kids backpacks or diaper bags.

 

[Lewski709]

do they provide baby food or do you have to?
when are they closed?
how many weeks of vacation are you allowed to take without paying?

 

[BobbinWeez]

Those are all really great questions that everyone suggested. I have one suggestion...please be understanding of your child's teachers at the child care center. Remember that they are not just caring for your child. (Can you tell that I work in this business?) Respect them and tell them you appreciate them. This field is: physically exhausting, financially difficult but emotionally rewarding. We do it because we love it so let us know you like us It makes the whole thing easier.

 

[mommytotwo]

Originally posted by BobbinWeez
Those are all really great questions that everyone suggested. I have one suggestion...please be understanding of your child's teachers at the child care center. Remember that they are not just caring for your child. (Can you tell that I work in this business?) Respect them and tell them you appreciate them. This field is: physically exhausting, financially difficult but emotionally rewarding. We do it because we love it so let us know you like us It makes the whole thing easier.

Physically exhausting, financially difficult but emotionally rewarding is right-especially when the parents appreciate you. I had worked at a preschool also and this is very important.

 

[robsmom]

I used BabyCenter a number of years back to get a list of questions to ask. The site has changed a bit but I looks like they still have good information.

http://www.babycenter.com/childcare/

some suggestions. THere are immediate type of questions and longer term types of questions. You want to think about whether this is where you want you child to be at 3 or 4 for pre-school. That doesn't mean that you can't change your mind, but looking ahead now may prevent you from having to move your child from someplace he becomes comfortable with.

Immediate questions:

Licensing (they probably are but verify)
Teachers
-what are the backgrounds/educations
-how long have the one's that will be in the baby room been around
-what is the average for other teachers
Customer Base
-How long does their average customer stay
-Can you talk to some other parents
-Do they do any parent surveys or anything to get input
-Do they have conferences with you the parent.
First Aid certifications/safety things:
-CPR
-Fire Drills
-Safety of accessing the building (how do they protect the kids)
-Rules for signing your child out (back-up relatives, etc.)
Food
-Do they provide breakfast and/or lunch, if yes what do they serve
-Snacks? - Do the give them and what are they
Fundraisers -Do the make you participate in any sales
Rules/Policies
-Biting and other behavoir
-Will they notify you if your child is hurt by another child

Longer Term questions:
Ask about the pre-school program, acedemics, etc.
Field trips - do they take any, when do they start, do you pay extra for them
Summer Programs - do they have any, is it a "camp", do they do different things then during the regular year.

 

[clh2]

Many good ideas are already posted! I would like to add see if the center has a policy manual, and see what those policies are. This should cover things like late fees for pick-up, what day of the week the check is due, their inclement weather policy, etc.

 

[kadaten]

Lots of good questions here already, but I'll mention the ones I thought of...may be some repeats

--are babies allowed to be on their own schedules for naps and feedings or do they insist on them conforming to a room schedule
--who supplies bottles, food, etc.? snacks? is the food all properly stored? is food prep area clean (notice this when looking around)?
--diapering policy...how often are they changed? in some states this is mandated....one state I worked in mandated diaper changes whenever soiled, wet, or at minimum every 2 hours whether needed or not (we actually had some parents complain we went through diapers too quickly!)
--experience/qualifications of the teachers? how long have they been there? what type of activities do they do with the babies (there are suitable things to do with babies...it's not all about wiping bottoms)
--turnover rate of teachers in room and center....high rate will be less stable for your child and may indicate problems you can't see
--is the center licensed? accredited? regularly inspected? by who and when was the last one? can you see the report?
--be sure to notice the cleanliness of the center....handwashing procedures, food prep procedures, how often are toys washed, etc.....they should always be looking to reduce germ passing or contamination
--security procedures...personally, I favor a door that is locked from the outside and where parents have a code or must be "buzzed" in....this may sound a bit extreme, but I worked in a center where a child was a "high risk"...he'd been kidnapped by a non-custodial parent before and security was HIGHLY emphasized at that center
--daily reports should be given on temperment, food eaten/amount/time, diapers changed/what type/time/how many, notices to parents regarding boo-boos, etc....while I would encourage you to talk with your child's teacher DAILY, you should always get a report with these basics on it so you know how their day went...especially since ones that little you have to be so concerned with food intake, # of diapers, etc.
--later on you'll worry about discipline procedures....the first "problem" encountered is usually a biting child....ask how they handle that common behavior? how would they handle other common infant/toddler/preschool problems? make sure their philosophy agrees with yours

#1 suggestion is to go OBSERVE! Make mental notes on the interaction between staff and infants, staff and other staff, kids and other kids. Do they seem to get along? Is it a loving environment? Is there apparent concern for safety? Do the activities seem appropriate for the ages? Are upset/crying children responded to in an appropriate manner? Are the children doing lots of things or do you notice children left in the swing a little too long (being "parked"...not good)? Are mealtimes calm, learning experiences or are the stressful for all involved? Lots of things... Go. See. Trust your instincts.

It IS nice to have them close by. I worked in an employee day care center (on property for employees of the hospital only) and we always had parents stopping by to visit with their kids, eat lunch with them, etc. We even had nursing moms who made it over twice a day to nurse so their baby only had to get one bottle of breastmilk and they were able to continue nursing for quite awhile due to the closeness.

Just some thoughts....good luck with your decision!!

 

[swea_pea1]

Good responses here...I only have a couple to add:

Interview the director. In my experience, it's been the leadership of the director that drives the teachers' behaviors. I'll only put my children in a daycare where the director has an degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Psychology.

My children have been in two different daycares due to a relocation to another state. One question I have asked is how the children's self-esteem issues are addressed. For me, this is a big one. Children can be cruel, sometimes unintentionally, and you don't always see an outward sign of it like you would with biting.

As an example, just a couple of weeks ago, DD(4) fell while she was running through the living room (yes, on my watch...the guilt, the guilt) and banged herself against the coffee table. Her tooth went through her lip and her gums were cut quite badly. I took her to the emergency room and no stitches, but her gums were almost black with the bruises and cuts. When she came home from daycare the next day, she told me that one of her friends said she looked like a witch. That's the kind of thing that totally freaks me out (I'm sure the other child didn't mean any harm, but I still worry) so I mentioned it to the director. She had a discussion with the other child about hurting other's feelings, etc. I personally wouldn't accept a "kids will be kids" mentality.

Good luck to you and remember that every day you leave your child will get a little easier with time. I remember crying through those first couple of weeks....

 

[TerryKitten]

Thank you for all your help.

Now i'm armed with all sorts of questions --tk

PS we live in Corvallis area but I'm originally from the Portland area.

 

[pajamommy]

Great suggestions from everyone! I'm the Head Teacher at the center I work at, and I can't think of any more questions/suggestions! Just follow your gut, I guess that's all I could say. When I was interviewing for positions at different centers, I was also looking as a parent as well, as my son comes with me where I work. The center I work at now gave me the best vibes, whereas a couple of the others gave me the creeps!! So, trust your instincts!

 

[Duchie]

Wow, you DISers are good! You've already listed most that were on my list, which is pretty darn extensive. There are a couple that I didn't see:

* What is the ratio of babies to teachers? How does that change as the babies get older?
* What academic program does the center follow?
* Ask about periodic fees such as a bi-annual supply fee (these always creep up on me).
* Observe the room and the playground. Inspect any toys in the room - are some of them old and having some broken, sharp edges? Are there books in the room and if so are the pages torn? Also get down to the babies' level and look for hazards (also helpful in your own home).
* Look in the older rooms, not just the infant room, because your child may eventually be in one of those rooms.

I agree with swea_pea1 - talk to the director. You MUST feel comfortable with her/him, and as long as you do you will be able to resolve any issue that you face. I've had my kids in 4 different centers (due to moves) and there was only one where I did not have a good rapport with the director - it was also the only center where I removed my kids as quick as I could find an alternative!

Good luck to you!

 

[ahutton]

Since you are in a college town area - you might see if you can reach one of the teachers at the school and ask if they have any recommendations, maybe a school that students in their program work at, or if they have a regular center that you can enroll you child into. DH went to school there, but he doesn't remember if they had a program for ECE or a center on site that was open to the public.