What to ask when you interview a daycare?

We are going to interview our first daycare tonight (an in-home one). I have a list of questions ready from licensing to sick policies to potty training. What did you ask when you went to interview a daycares? TIA!

Re: What to ask when you interview a daycare?

Heres a list that the Child Care Council has on their site...

http://www.childcaresuffolk.org/default.aspx?PageID=451

Re: What to ask when you interview a daycare?

I would take a good look around and see how many toys they have available to the children. I have seen places with way too few for the number of children in a room...boredom leads to behavior prblems. Find out how much structed play, free play, outdoor play etc. Additionally I know of one place that has a beutiful play room that they call "the village." There are kitchens and all sorts of cute play equipment. It looks adorable. But when you actually go into the areas you find that there is not a single dish in the arrea, no spoon and only about three pieces of food. So basically the whole area is all for show, because there is nothing for a child to use.

HOw are snacks handled? For eg, if your child does not want to eat what is offered. Hunger leads to behavior problems as well.

Re: What to ask when you interview a daycare?

How do they discipline a child in their care?

Do they provide you with a progress note/report and how often?

What is their policy on children who are not up to date on their immunizations?

I was watching the news the other night and this program came on about all the things that parents forget to ask, or overlook. These were just a few. The immunization thing was huge, not so much about the MMR, knowing that alot of parents delay or seperate them out, but more so children who have religious beliefs and whatnot and they don't have ANY immunizations. I would hope in-home or facility daycares wouldnt withhold this info, but who knows.

Hope it works out for you!

ETA: (so I dont get flamed lol) To each his own about whether to give or not to give immunizations. BUT, I strongly believe that as a parent, you should have the right to know if your child will be in close quarters with a child who hasnt been immunized.

Message edited 7/9/2009 9:29:32 PM.