Finding Daycare.

[aussie45]

I'm trying to scout out new places for DD to go to for daycare when I start my new job. I've been putting it off a ton, and now I only have two weeks to find somewhere. What kind of questions should I be asking? Here's my list so far:

If they have a spot available for a two year old?
Do they allow cloth diapers or no?
What their rate is?

I'm drawing a blank on other questions though. It doesn't help that I'm sick and trying to figure this shit out today.

[serendipity]

Ratios, staff smoking policy, turnover rate, sick policy. Those are a few off the top of my head. I have a whole list if I get on my computer later I can post.

Also, do you have FB? Some of the people on your local yardsale group may have some insight to local centers in your area.

[ghostmonkey]

How long have they been in business?
What is their curriculum like?
How do they handle misbehavior?
What days are they closed? (Ours is randomly closed on Good Friday.)
What are their rules for inclement weather closures?
How flexible are drop off times?
What are the fees for late pick-up?
What all are parents expected to supply?
How do they communicate with parents (daily sheets, board in the classroom)?
What is their sick child policy?

[dizzycooks]

I'd ask how frequently they do rate increases considering I just got notice that would rate is going up 5% AGAIN.
Otherwise, Ghostmonkey has good questions. You can find lots of lists online. It really depends on your personal hang ups, for me it was cloth diapers, food, tv and outside time. I found out that outside time is mandated by the state so now I worry less about it. Also, if your kid gets sick midday, how long do you have to get there? Our policy says 1 hour, previously our provided said 30 minutes. Well that's impossible given where we work, me needing a sub, blah blah blah. It was a good conversation.

[soexcited317]

this is not all inclusive and in no particular order:

Do they have availability?
What are their hours?
what are their rates?
are they licensed?
can you see any licensing reports or their licensing notebook?
what is their menu? Can you send your own food/drinks?
staff to child ratio?
do they have a developmentally appropriate curriculum?
do they play outside?
what kind of indoor outdoor gross motor activities do they provide?
what level of education/training is required of their staff?

I swear I'm not super uptight! (okay well maybe a little) but I like to see the ease with which they answer these questions as much as the answers themselves.

In my county their is a website that includes ratings and reviews for all of the licensed centers and in home providers.

Also, dropping by during business hours, unannounced, can give you a feel for how they operate.

good luck finding a good fit for your family

[aussie45]

Ok, so thanks to you ladies I have a decent list to call potential places. Only question I'm not sure on is can DH or I drop in unannounced to check on A? Is this an over the top request. I don't see us having to do this ever unless we were suspicious of something, but is this something that most daycares would allow? Is it a red flag if they don't allow it?

[scattered]

Discipline policy

Sick child policy

Ratio

Nutrition policy

[Deleted]

Oct 20, 2014 17:13:30 GMT -5 aussie45 said:

Ok, so thanks to you ladies I have a decent list to call potential places. Only question I'm not sure on is can DH or I drop in unannounced to check on A? Is this an over the top request. I don't see us having to do this ever unless we were suspicious of something, but is this something that most daycares would allow? Is it a red flag if they don't allow it?

From convos with my WM friends, if a center said you couldn't drop by unannounced, yes, it would be a red flag.

[dizzycooks]

You should be able to come and go as you please. Drop in when you want, pick up or just check in. Do it at a variety of times always. Having an extremely predictable routine is convenient for the care provider, but my moms unpredictable routine is what kept me being abused at the daycare I attended as a little one. He never knew when my mom was coming. Total blessing in disguise. You are paying them for a service. Ask as many questions as you want and make any request you feel necessary. If it's outside what's allowed they will let you know, but I've never had someone at our current daycare say no to anything. It's always "yes of course! Thanks for letting us know. Thanks for asking". Our old daycare? A whole different story, but in hind sight it was awful and I shouldn't have left my daughter there for even the 8 weeks she was there.

[serendipity]

Ok, here is my list, similar questions to those above sorry if it's repetitive but I am just c&ping:

1. Child to teacher ratio. What happens when you go over?
2. Staff first aid/cpr certified
3. Education/Training of teachers
4. Turnover rate
5. Level of experiences teachers have
6. Staff smoking policy
7. How do you handle discipline
8. Security/lockdown policy who can get in/out. How? Cameras
9. Do infants go outside
10. Where do they sleep/linens/cribs
11. Feeding/changing schedule
12. Do you allow homemade food?
13. When to transition room
14. How do you handle excessive crying? Or fussy babies? Soothing of infants
15. Do the teachers rotate or will my child have the same person or team for the most part?
16. Do you follow a circulum even for the babies
17. Do you provide formula/ baby food/ finger food in cost of daycare?
18. When LO is hurt or scratches himself how am I notfied? How strict are you in doing this?
19. How do I find out about my LO's day? Do I get a progress report etc?
20. What's your policy on dropping by throughout the day?
21. What is your "Sick Child" policy and how strictly do you enforce it?
22. What am I required to provide and how much notice can I expect when you need more of an item?
23. Pick up procedures
24. How often are toys cleaned and sanitized?

You should definitely be able to drop in at any time I agree if not, that is a huge red flag.

Good luck!

[lexus]

Are you looking at centers or in-homes? If you are looking at in-home daycares I would ask about other people who would be around the children, vacations (their's and yours), if they have subs or alternate plans for their sick time, if you pay when the provider is sick, and where children nap.

In either case, I would ask about daily schedules, amount of outside time, ratios, potty training, and food served.

[aussie45]

Oct 20, 2014 22:00:33 GMT -5 lexus said:

Are you looking at centers or in-homes? If you are looking at in-home daycares I would ask about other people who would be around the children, vacations (their's and yours), if they have subs or alternate plans for their sick time, if you pay when the provider is sick, and where children nap.

In either case, I would ask about daily schedules, amount of outside time, ratios, potty training, and food served.

These are really good points that I never thought of within home dcp. We're mostly looking at centers, but with it only being two weeks left, we're willing to be flexible.

[lexus]

Oct 20, 2014 22:54:54 GMT -5 aussie45 said:

Oct 20, 2014 22:00:33 GMT -5 lexus said:

Are you looking at centers or in-homes? If you are looking at in-home daycares I would ask about other people who would be around the children, vacations (their's and yours), if they have subs or alternate plans for their sick time, if you pay when the provider is sick, and where children nap.

In either case, I would ask about daily schedules, amount of outside time, ratios, potty training, and food served.

These are really good points that I never thought of within home dcp. We're mostly looking at centers, but with it only being two weeks left, we're willing to be flexible.

We used an in-home dcp when I first went back to work. These are the questions I wished I had asked. good luck!