Finding a daycare for your child takes patience and persistence. Asking the right questions reveals the information to help you select the daycare that works best for you. Write a list of the questions you want to ask to ensure that you don't miss anything as you visit the daycare center.
Does the Daycare Follow a Set Curriculum or Schedule?
A daycare that follows a particular curriculum is more likely to provide a stimulating environment for your child. Daycare curriculum programs contain several components that are developmentally-appropriate. If the daycare doesn't use a particular curriculum or educational program, choose one that has a set schedule for the kids. The schedule gets the kids in a routine for a more stable care environment. Look for a variety of activities on the schedule, including active time and quiet time.
What Is the Child to Adult Ratio?
The number of children assigned to each adult makes an impact on the safety of your child. If one adult is responsible for a large number of children, she is stretched thin and can't provide as much attention to each child. This makes it difficult to meet all of the needs of the children and keep them all safe. Child Care Aware recommends a maximum infant ration of one adult for every four infants. The recommended 4-year-old range goes up to one adult for every 10 children.
The group size is also a consideration. Even if the ratios stay the same, a larger group of kids and adults typically creates more chaos and makes it more difficult to do group activities.
Is the Daycare Licensed?
Daycare licensing requirements vary from one state to the next. A child care center should be licensed through the state to be open for business. Some states allow home daycares to operate without licensing. A licensed daycare center must meet higher standards and submit to inspections.
What Is the Daycare's Policy on Discipline?
Asking about the discipline policy allows you to determine if the center shares your philosophy. Look for a center that focuses on preventing discipline problems by keeping the kids engaged in age-appropriate activities. Consider if the steps for discipline problems are acceptable to you. Also consider how many chances the center gives a child for discipline problems before kicking him out.
What Is the Payment Policy?
The cost of the daycare center is a consideration for many families. The payment policy is another aspect to consider. Determine if the daycare center requires you to pay when your child is absent for sickness or vacation. If you're interviewing a home daycare, ask about payment when the daycare provider is unavailable for her own sickness or vacation. Ensure that you understand when the payments are due and the penalty for missing the payment due date.
What Safety Precautions Are in Place?
Placing your child in a safe child care environment is the highest priority. Knowing that he is safe at the daycare gives you a sense of confidence. Ask about things such as how chemicals are stored, CPR training, emergency preparedness plans and other safety procedures in the daycare.
What Is the Sick Child Policy?
A quality daycare has a sick child policy in place to determine when children are required to stay home. This helps slow the spread of the illness to the other children. Most daycare centers require a child to be fever-free and not vomiting for 24 hours before returning to the center. Ask if the center posts warnings when a communicable disease is diagnosed in one of the children. This allows parents to watch for signs in their own children.
