What Do I Need to Check When I'm Visiting a Childcare?

try going to www.ladpss.org.this website gives you a checklist as well. hope this helps out

I am a provider and during the interview I have talked about and had parents ask me things like......

where do the kids sleep?
is there smoking allowed in the home even when kids are not there?
Licensed (you have to be in Calif if you watch more than one family)
What is a typical day?
What about TV (this may not be a big deal now but it could be a problem later on)

I talk about how long I have been doing child care and why I do it. Why I love it, what my sick policy is, vacations, contracts, hours, expectations, what you would need to provide, and give them a copy of my contract along with refrences (past and present), and a copy of my license.

Look at the home to make sure it is clean, there are going to be toys around but you know what I mean. Where do the kids eat, sleep, and play.

I also would say to interview a lot of people, know what is out there, and it will help you know what you do and don't want.

Best of luck

Hi M.,
I have been in the child care business for 25yrs. and its really important to ask for references and please call them
so you can ask the parents what their experience was in that
child care home. Make sure the provider loves what she does,
you can tell if she enjoys her job by how the kids in her
childcare respond to her. Are they feeling loved by her.
I know that my kids love coming to my home and sometimes cry
when it time to go home. I think its important that the kids
feel safe and loved by their child care provider.
I really think its important to have a small group when you
have a baby. I have a small group total 6 children and I also
have a helper. Remember that the bigger the group the more
your infant will be exposed to colds and other illnesses.
So you really need to search hard for a small group and make
sure this provider does not have after school kids, that is
really busy when big kids come to the home.
I hope this helps you.

I am a childcare provider and have been in education for 30 years. I currently own my own daycare center. I'd suggest looking for the following things: a properly licensed facility with background checks of everyone in the center or home, a convenient location, something that's affordable to you, the cleanliness and safety of the environment, the appropriate materials for the age of the children, similar philosophies between you and the caregiver regarding care for the baby, food policies, diaper policies, the comfort level of communication between you and the caregiver. You also need to be able to separate from your baby (because your baby will feel it if you are not) and you need to give it time (at least 2 months) to make the adjustment. Good luck.

I agree with what the childcare providers, below, have suggested. In addition: I would make sure the location is convenient enough for you to stop in, reguluarly and unannounced. If you could spend some Mommy time, alone with your baby, in another room, at some point each day -- that would be ideal. There are studies about putting your infant into full-time care before age 6 mos. that don't look good. Be real careful about leaving your baby for long days, too early. You need to remember, it may be hard, but a fact: Your childcare provider becomes the primary caretaker of your child. Research shows that small family childcare is the best daycare situation for infants and toddlers. And -- continuity of care is a MAJOR need for (especially) infants and toddlers. You can't just jump around if it "doesn't work out." Attachment disorders (RAD) have become epidemic, since childcare became a replacement for parenting (which it doesn't have to be). Take your time deciding. Make sure you're on the same page with developmental/care philosophy. Old-school doesn't work. Read a lot, so you'll know the terminology for what you believe. I have plenty to start you with, if you want to PM me for some links.

Take care,
J. Smithson
Loving Hands Learn 'n' Play
http://www.lhlearnandplay.com