Daycare Tour Questions

[vtdiamond]

I know there was a post about this not too long ago but I can't seem to find it.

I think SJ had a great list of questions to ask as you tour various centers.

[SJ]

Here is my list. The format might be weird- on phone now.

We didn't ask all of these but having the list made is think about things we may not have otherwise.

­Can we do part­time? 2, 3, or 4 days? If part­time, is it a set schedule?
­If we pay for full­time, can we choose to skip some days?
­When do you have openings and what is your wait­list procedure?
­What are the drop­off/pick­up windows? Can we come late/leave early? Or do we have to notify you?
­Any charges for late pick­up?
­Can parents drop by unannounced?
­Are there restrictions on who can pick up the baby? Can we leave a list of authorized people? ­What holidays/days are you closed? School schedule or business?
­What is your evacuation plan? Loss of power? Snow days, etc?
­What is your sick policy? ­What happens if the baby gets sick at daycare?
­Are they authorized to give medicine?
­Do you have an allergy policy?
­Do you require that the babies be immunized?
­What things are we expected to bring/provide?
­How much are rates and how are we billed?
­What are the opportunities for parent involvement?
­Are there fundraising requirements?
­Are you licensed/accredited?
­When were they last inspected & were there any violations? ­How long have you been doing daycare?
­What is your staff to baby ratio?
­How many kids are in each room?
­How do you keep us informed of what goes on? Log, texting, photos, etc?
­What kind of training does your staff have? Child development, early childhood, etc? ­Are your teachers trained in first aid/CPR?
­What is your staff turnover?
­Do you do background checks on employees?
­Are employees allowed to smoke on breaks?
­Any guns on premise? (home day care)
­Are animals allowed on premises?
­How do you handle infant schedules?
­Do you have separate rooms by age groups?
­Do you consider developmental benchmarks for transitioning or do they solely move kids based on age?
­Do you have set naptimes? Philosophy on sleep?
­Do you use personal cribs?
­Do you use containment devices? (to ensure baby isn’t left unattended)
­Do you use television? If so, do you have daily limits?
­What is your food policy? Do you provide snacks/meals?
­How do you handle it if we send breastmilk/bottles? Will you wash bottles?
­What toys/activities are available?
­What kinds of outdoor facilities/play areas do you have? When do the children go outside?
­What kinds of outside activities/field trips do you do?
­What kinds of programs do you offer as the children age? Extracurriculars? Do you have any educational components? Do you have an on­site preschool program? High­structure or play based?
­Overall philosophies?
­How do they encourage independence?
­How do you handle discipline? Time­outs? Redirection?
­In general are things child­centered or adult­centered?
­How do you respond to biting?
­Do you have a list of references we can call?
­Can we ask a random parent in the hallway for their opinion?
­GUT INSTINCT­ how warm/cozy/loving is it?

[vtdiamond]

Perfect, thanks so much!!

[Blue Moon]

This is good to know, thanks.

[specialk]

That is a great list.