Questions to ask potential in-home daycare provider?

~Asking for my sister~

What are some questions you would/did ask while "interviewing" potential in-home daycare providers that you do NOT know personally but come recommended by others.

This is what we have so far:

- are there any weapons in the home?
- # of kids/ages there
- no smoking at all?
- who has access to the children being cared for (meaning, stop-by friends/relatives/etc)?
- CPR/first aid certified
- $ and hours, obviously
- name and phone # of someone presently using them

What else?

TIA!

Message edited 8/17/2009 9:10:47 PM.

Re: Questions to ask potential in-home daycare provider?

are they NYS state licensed? if you are going that route? go to the ocfs.org site and you can print out what it should be asked and what to look for? and of course your own personal questions. Best of luck!

Re: Questions to ask potential in-home daycare provider?

DEFINITELY ask about taking the children out in their car. Ive had all in home day care providers and they all did this. I actually hate the idea. Ive grown to just deal with it. The current one has a truck so I feel alot safer. I kinda find it ridiculous they need to go anywhere but it happened in so many places. If they travel find out where to and state your limits. I told her NO beach/water etc...

Re: Questions to ask potential in-home daycare provider?

How many children do you plan to care for? You don't want a provider that is going to take on 6 children all alone. It'll be too much and your child won't get the same attention

Do they provide the food? (once they are off of formula)

Where is the diaper changing station? it should not be in the same location as where the children play

What parts of the house do the children have access to? All parts? Living room only?

What is your form of discipline? Time outs?

If my child is not there for the day, am I responsible to pay for the day?

What is your sick policy? Usually they don't allow the child there is the child is vomiting, has diarahea, or a fever above 101.

What if you are sick? Does someone cover for you? Am I responsible to pay for the day if my child is unable to attend due to you being sick

Can I visit my child during the day if Im in the area? They should never be against "pop in" visits from the parents. There should be nothing to hide.

Do they adminster medication? Even Tylenol some people won't administer

If they are a licensed provider, make sure they have their fingerprints done. This includes ALL members of the home, not just the actual provider

Re: Questions to ask potential in-home daycare provider?

Is there an outside play area?
What do we need to provide? (pack n play, bouncer, etc... or do they have all of that stuff)
What are their hours?
How long have you been providing care?
Do you have the same group of kids every day?
How many people work here?
If the child misses a day, do I still have to pay?

Re: Questions to ask potential in-home daycare provider?

Do they have pets? What kind? Are they separated from the children?

How many children?

Does anyone help her? Does her DH, kids help her? Are they trained? Do they change the diapers also?

Do they drive children in their car?

Are they "certified" by the state?

What is their emergency plan? Especially if they have other kids. If DC was sent to hospital who would go with him/her.

What is a typical day for a toddler on their premises? Do they have a curricula?

Do they have a vacation schedule for the year?

How do they want to be paid? Monthly? weekly? Do they expect to be paid on their time off and your sister's time off?

What is the policy with sickness?