Daycare for 9w.o.-What would/did you look for?

We are putting DD into daycare and are having trouble choosing a place. What were your must have's and must not have's? This is sooo tough! Nothing seems good enough!

Re: Daycare for 9w.o.-What would/did you look for?

We enrolled DD around the same time and on the list of our questions were:
1. Do they share cribs between FT and PT "students" ( I didn't want my DD sleeping on a strangers mattress)
2. Ask to see changing stations , check for cleanliness and make sure there is purell of some hand sanitizer nearby
3. What activities do they do based on age....we use Tutor Time and DD comes home with a daily activity list that makes us feel like shes at a country club all day LOL...
4.Ask if they require the bottles premixed or if they will individually make each bottle( our daycare asks you to mix the formila and water together in the morning and they heat up bottles as needed
5...sorry if this is overwhelming! lol
ask what materials you need to provide..I know we had to furnish diapers,wipes,burp rags and bibs, 5 crib sheets ( they send them home daily whether they have been soiled or not)
5 changes of clothes....the list was CRAZY!!

Enjoy and good luck!

Re: Daycare for 9w.o.-What would/did you look for?

Stalk the places - hang out around drop-off/pick up times and talk to the parents to get a feel of how they like it.

I think a nurturing environment is also key.

When I was looking - I asked one teacher how long she'd be there and she replied, "Too long". Not the person I want caring for my DC.

Find out the cancellation policy in case you aren't happy or decide to stay home or whatever. Payment - for sick, holiday, vaca?

Re: Daycare for 9w.o.-What would/did you look for?

Pretty much what the above poster said... also:

my daycare makes you take your shoes off and put booties on for cleanliness of the floors. I really liked that
make sure all corners are covered
see how the room is set up
how often do they clean toys throughout the day?
is someone licensed to distribute medication?
have the staff been trained in CPR?
what do you need to bring in?
make sure the front entrance is locked and you can come in by being buzzed in only
NY State has a site that checks out all the daycares... look them up on this

http://it.ocfs.ny.gov/CCFS_facilitysearch/

do they give you a sheet with what DC did for the day?
one big no no for me when I was interviewing was the director brought me to the infant room and left me with the teacher to show me around, which meant the teacher turned her back on the children.
Is the infant room enclosed and separate from the older kids classrooms?

I interviewed about 7 places when I was pregnant and I also worked at a daycare when I was in college so that helped. Don't forget to ask around and google search places if there are any other reviews.