Selecting a childcare provider that fits well with your life and family can seem like an overwhelming task. Truthfully, parents have more options than they may realize. The task of finding a daycare provider takes research and a little time. Always remember the ultimate goal is finding a safe environment, in which your child is warm, safe and offered a nurturing atmosphere.
The first step is choosing what type of childcare works well with you and your family. Both have advantages and disadvantages, the key is finding the one that fits into your life and personality best. It is recommended that you do visit a variety of homes and centers to see what is available. This prevents the tunnel-vision syndrome in which someone believes this is all there is and you must accept it.
DAYCARE CENTER: Childcare provided by a staffed facility. Be sure to check out non-profit organizations like churches as well as for-profit.
HOME DAYCARE: Childcare provided by a single individual out of their own home.
It is extremely important to spend a good amount of time interviewing. Begin with phone, then move on to in-person, and finally an unannounced visit.
Remember you are interviewing the daycare provider for a job, not the other way around!
Phone Interview Questions
Upon introducing yourself ask the provider if they have a moment to speak, or ask what a good time to call would be. This is a polite way to ensure it is not an inconvenient time in the daycare provider’s schedule.
1. Do you have any openings? This is logically the first question to ask before you proceed with any other questions
2. What are your operating hours? This question is the fundamental building block that will help establish if you need to proceed.
3. Are you Licensed? This question is geared more towards home daycare providers to ensure they have completed testing. However, you should also ask about staff in the center setting.
4. Do you require your staff to be trained in CPR? In the event of an emergency every moment counts. Make sure the person caring for your child is certified.
5. What are your fees & do you offer sibling discounts? A necessary question that is sometimes a deal breaker, but do not soley base your decision off of this. In addition, the phone interview is not the proper time to attempt to negotiate.
6. Are parents welcome anytime? This confirms that they have an open door policy with parents
7. Do you have pets welcome, if so what kind?This depends on the individual some people find pets a plus, while others quite the opposite.
Red Flags would include the provider acting annoyed in any way with your questions. If there is a lot of uncontrolled ruckus or background noise or screaming, or a provider yelling or scolding a child while on the phone with you. If the provider informs you that you must always call before coming, or that you are not welcome except specific times this is definitely a red flag, no matter how they justify it.
In-Person Interview
If all goes well on the phone interview, proceed to scheduling an in-person interview on site. Plan on this meeting taking at least a half hour. This is where you will get the best feel for the daycare providers personality and the home/facility itself. Thank them in advance for their time and proceed with questions and tour. The most important factor here is to listen. Observe body language, how confident they seem in their profession.
1. What made you choose child care as a profession? Bar none, this is the best ice-breaker in the world. You can learn a lot about someone just by asking this simple question. This question opens up dialogue pertaining to their background, how long they have been in this profession and any accrediations.
2. What is your policy regarding sick children, and in what instances are they sent home? This is an important question because not only will you find out the reason you will be called to pick up your child but also you will learn what your child may or may not be exposed to.
3. Do I have to pay if my child is absent? Be sure to inquire about the specific reason; own vacation, daycare providers vacation, or illness.
4. What is your late pick-up policy? It is not unreasonable for a daycare provider to charge per minute for late pick up, but you must find out their policy.
5. What holidays are you typically scheduled closed? This question is important if your own profession does not recognize holidays, religious or otherwise.
6. What meals and snacks do you provide? Inquire specifically about the snacks and food, ask if they traditionally provide/post a chart detailing meals for the week.
7. What is the care taker to child ratio, and what is your staff’s turnover rate? This is more important in a daycare center but even in home daycare the ratio is also important. By state law in home daycares can only care for an appropriate amount of children at a time. The more children the less time will be spent with/taking care of yours, simple mathmatics.
8. Are background checks conducted for staff members? Specifically inquire what kind and how often they are ran.
9. Who is able to pick up my child? Make sure that only approved individuals are able to enter/exit and especially for child transport.
10. Do you have indoor and outdoor play? This is the opportunity to inquire if you need to bring your own sunblock or play clothing as well
11. Do you report your income on your taxes? If the daycare provider does not, it does not mean they are sub-par by any means. However, it does mean you cannot claim it on your own taxes for child care credit.
12. What is your discipline policy? This would include disapline for biting, hitting, tantrums, and offers the provider to give examples of how they handle each.
Unannounced Visit
This visit can be to ask a question you forgot to mention, or to show the home/facility to another family member. Please make sure your visit is during business hours, as the overall purpose of your visit is to see how well the children are being taken care of, how clean the area is, and how the provider reacts to your unannounced visit.
After your interview process, you should be feeling confident in the individual. Your own personality must mesh well with the daycare provider, after all they will be taking care of your most precious possession. If you ever feel uncomfortable with your daycare provider for any reason, or “pushed-around” (yes it happens) leave immediately. You employ them, period.
FINAL TIPS:
1. Do some test runs; observe what traffic is like in the area during your morning and evening pick-up times.
2. Always pay on time! Your daycare provider is providing you an extremely important service that may be sometimes challenging.
3. Many states have a searchable website where you can search by county for any reports, complaints or non-compliances of the business (most list home daycares, for-profit centers and non for-profit alike)
4. Ask advice; if you are having trouble or need advice, simply ask. Your friends and family members may have suggestions or may be able to help you choose the best provider.