Questions to Ask a New Child Care Provider

Just wanted to comment about baby gates. They do not need to be used at all times, only when children between 6 and 18 months are present. If no children that age are present, gates are not required.

I am a licensed family child care provider. A few questions I would suggest are;
What does she like best about doing this? What does she like least? If there was one thing she could change (no matter how big or small), what would it be? How long does she anticipate continuing in child care? How does she de-stress herself? How does she like to handle difficult issues (situations with the parent or the child)? Does she think your family would be a good match with the other families in her care (and why or why not)?

Remember, not only are you choosing her, but she is choosing you. She should have a policy book or contract for you to look at or take home to read. Really read it and ask her any questions you have about it.

Like someone else said, there is MUCH more to finding a good daycare than cost, toys, appearances, etc. You are choosing someone to teach and nurture your child while you are not able to. You want someone with similar beliefs, morals, and values as your family has.

Congrats on the new baby to be and good luck!
S. (mom of 3 and daycare provider for nearly 20 years)

you can google....interview questions to ask daycare provider and it will provide a bunch of information. here is one link on parents website that seems pretty good: http://www.parents.com/parents/story.jhtml?storyid=/templ...

Coming from another daycare provider. I would ask what training the provider has had, how many kids they are lic for and how many they currently have. What is a daily schedule. Vacation/sick time? Food program? Back up or emergency back up. Do the kids ever go any place such as the park or on field trips? This is all I can think of that most people ask me or don't bother to ask me. Oh here is a big one why do they do childcare???
Hope this helps,
T.

Do they transport the children?
Any fieldtrips during the year?
Ok to drop in unexpected (open door policy)?
Hours?
Any references?
How do they handle introduction to foods?
Do they allow breastmilk if you choose to go that route?
Do they go outside (weather permitting) and for how long? Sunscreen?
Are they liscensed? If so you can contact the county and get a back ground check done on them. I know you can for Dakota County. If you need the number let me know.

I found that I scared away providers when I drilled them. I found that my most important things should be addressed. Some things are just visual...like do they have outlit covers on, gates up (must be used at all times), fenced play area, pets, are the pets seperate from the play area-in most cases they are not but they pick up the poop-that's still gross because residue remains on the grass.

From my experience, I would ask about how many children they have in enrollment and if they ever have "drop ins", sometimes the head count can get very high in the summer months when school age kids occasionally attend.

What do they feed the kids? When do they start solids? What do they get for treats?

What method of discipline do they use?

When and how much tv? Are little ones (under one) exposed to tv?

Do they require babies to be on their schedule? Or do they cater to the needs of the individual? (I once had a provider who was frustrated that my 1 yr didn't want a morning nap any longer when she wanted him to continue two naps until he was 18 months).

Good luck!

-Jo

Honestly, as a daycare provider we all know the "typical" questions that parents are supposed to ask and anyone can come up with a "good" answer. I go ahead and answer the questions because some are improtant (like vacations, pay, discipline, potty training, etc.) but I always tell prospective parents to go with their gut feeling. If you choose to visit when other kids are present, watch how he/she interacts but also know that the kids will be way more hyper because there is a "new" person visiting. You also may not get her full attention. If you choose to visit after hours she/he will have more time to focus on you but you may not get to see the interaction.....or just schedule a visit for both options.

Just because they are more expensive, less expensive, have more toys/equipment doesn't mean they are better ;)