What Do You Look for in a Daycare?

This really doesn't respond to your question. I was wondering where you were located at. Also I wanted to know your hours and price. I have my son in daycare currently and I am happy but it seems to be a little expensive. Thank you

I look for security--I want to know that my child is in a safe environment and only people that I approve will have access to my child. Equally important is a sense that the primary care giver is attentive and actually interested in caring for children. It kills me to think of my son being left crying for long periods of time, or being neglected for chunks of the day.
I also want to know that he's going to be stimulated--that there are toys there that he will love, that he will be around other babies and children in a fun, not chaotic way.
I want to be assured that he won't be subjected to some draconian feeding/changing/sleeping schedule, but instead will be able to be a baby and later, a toddler.
It's helpful also to know that the place is clean and that procedures are in place to make sure that changing, feeding, playing ,etc. areas are sanitary. He's going to bring home more colds than the average stay-at-home baby, but hopefully as few germs as possible.
Also, I'd like the center to be close to where I work and live, so that (God forbid) if there were ever an emergency situation, I could be right there--plus it's nice to pop in during my lunch break.

Right now, I'm spending about $200/week. Which seems to be the norm, give or take $20.

I look for a good schedule. i.e. playtime, breakfast time, story time, circle time, snack time, etc. I thinks kids do best when they know what to expect.
I think it is also so important to limit TV and get outside as much as possible.

My first priorty while finding my place was cleanliness. We looked at some really dirty places! ANd I am NOT a super house-keeper. One home day care was having an OPEN HOUSE and it was not clean! Of course the temperment of the staff is big. And the activities that will keep the kids busy, is there music and art projects? Can they play outside when the weather is nice?

Good luck with your business!

I look for cleanliness, what sort of toys you have. Do you have educational toys? Do you have story time everyday? What about outdoor activities? Do you have a Christian faith? Will you allow kids to be kids and not force them to learn. Not that I have a problem but birth to 4 yrs they should just be kids. What are your diciplinary actions? When is nap time? Can I drop in at anytime? Are you licensed? If you aren't than you should charge less since it cant be tax deducted or I am sorry you wont be able to recieve the credit. One kid full time I think should be 125 a week. I was seriously considering starting a daycare here in Livonia but decided that I liked the nursing field better. Staying home for me wasnt that fufilling. Do you have a criminal record? Stuff like that Hey are you on my area?? I need a daycare provider ha ha good luck

where in roseville do you live. i also have a 19month old son. it would be nice to find someone to play with.

When I was looking for daycare for my son I would always take him with me so that I can see the providers reaction to him. It was important that they acknowldge him on the tour and that I felt this person was really interested in or had a way with children. Also, the surroundings were very important to me. For example is the place bright and cheerful are there enough toys are the toys clean. Also, I would like to see a list of schduled activities. My son has only been at his daycare for 3 days so I have not had any negative experiences. I don't know about the prices where you live or if they are different from state to state but the lowest price that I've found for a toddler was about $120 per week and this was a center. I also had a referral to a home daycare where the charged about $125.00 per week. Both of which I think are reasonable. I have also visited places that charge between $175 and $211.00 per week which personally I could not afford.
HTH.

I had a very bad experience with my first daycare. It was an in-home center which is what I wanted, but the longer my daughter was there the worse things got. It was not very clean, other kids would spit up all over floor or her cat would pee and it would just get blotted with a towel. My daughter always had her bottle in her bed, which I don't do. They would tell me she wouldn't eat when I never had a problem with her, I think they were just lazy. I would send juice in her sippy cups, she never got it. She would have 3 diaper changes in 8 hours, and at our new daycare its usually 5-6. I found out all of these things over a week or two and that is when I took her out. Luckily I was referred to our new daycare and it has been the best thing I could have done for my daughter. Even better now because I have a 2 month old going to her also. I made sure that all of the problems I had with the first one wouldn't be problems at the new one. Good Luck and I hope you have success!

A.,

I would go online to the State childcare website and make sure that you can offer services that licensed facilities are required to offer. For example, children must go outside (unless there are extreme weather circumstances) at least 2 times a day. Getting a list of what my child ate, diaper changes, etc is also important to me. Activities are important too as well as some sort of structure. Is there circle/music time, art time, reading time each day. Is there a theme each week, month? The activities should be seasonal and related to the theme.

My son attend a center-- but I looked for someplace clean, and made sure toys and surfaces were cleaned daily and checked out sleeping areas.

I would recommend visiting a few daycares (pretend you are considering enrolling your son) and see what they do.

Finally, I paid $214 a week until my son turned 2 1/2 and now pay $188 a week, which includes breakfast, lunch and snacks. I think most people expect to pay significantly less for home placements though.

Good luck!