Questions to ask daycare facility?

We are going to visit our first daycare center on Friday for DS who will be almost 1 when/if we go the day care route. What should I be looking for and what types of questions should I ask?

Thanks!

Re: Questions to ask daycare facility?

I looked for happy children first of all, staff that seemed attentive and good activities. Everything else for me was secondary. Happy kids was my first big thing to look for!

Re: Questions to ask daycare facility?

I agree with Racheee - obviously you want a safe and clean facility, but I was most concerned with watching the kids - how the daycare providers attended to them and how big they were smiling

Re: Questions to ask daycare facility?

Thanks! Any other advice?

Re: Questions to ask daycare facility?

Questions for a Child Care Provider

1. Are you licensed? Ask to see the license.
2. What is your staff turnover rate? Happy workers stay for a longer period of time.
3. Is your entire staff CPR (infant/child) & First Aide certified?
4. What kind of staff training do you do? (All licensed program must have 30 hours of training per licensing year (2 years) per staff member)
5. What is your child:student ratio?
Regulations is as follows: (for infants the smaller the group the better)
Infants 6 weeks to 18 months 4:1
18 months to 36 months 5:1
3 years 7:1
4 years 8:1
5 years 9:1
6. Do you offer food, formula, etc? Or do I need to supply them?
7. Do you supply diapers and wipes? How much would I need to bring at one time?
8. Do you have an open door policy?
9. Can other family member’s come and visit.
10. What are your hours of operation?
11. Do you have a late charge?
12. Look to see if the children are happy and smiling, are the staff happy and smiling.
13. Just show up, do not make appointments. If they won’t show you what are they hiding?

Most of all how do you feel about the place? Would you feel comfortable leaving your child? When you do find a place you like you should pop in at different times to make sure you still feel comfortable there.

Re: Questions to ask daycare facility?

How many teachers/assistants are there?
What does the daily routine consist of?
WHat are there hours?

Re: Questions to ask daycare facility?

When you do find a place you like you should pop in at different times to make sure you

wow that is a great idea.