10 Questions to Ask When Choosing Child Care

07/15/2013

My son will be 6 months on the 27th and I am dreading finding childcare.  I have been putting it off, but I know it’s time to start trying to find someone.  I still don’t know if I prefer a city centre or home day care yet.  I’ve come across a list of questions to ask and I thought I would share:

1. What are your staff-to-child ratios?  There should only be one adult to 3 infants, 5 toddlers to 1 adult or 8 preschoolers to 1 adult.  I believe they are considered to be infants until 18 months.

2. What is their education and experience background?  Are they an ECE?  Do they have current First Aid and CPR training?  Current criminal check?

3. What activities are included in each day?  Crafts, singing, stories, outdoor play, naps, field trips, etc.

4. What meals and snacks are included?  How are the prepared?

5. When and where does nap time take place?  Infants should have their own place to sleep and should be allowed to sleep whenever needed.

6. Where do the children play outside?  How long do they spend outside each day (weather permitting)? Do they have safe play equipment?

7. What happens if my child is sick or we want to take a vacation? Do we still have to pay for those days?  What happens if the care provider is sick or wants to take a vacation?  Is there a back up person?

8. What happens if my child needs to take medication?  City centres have strict guidelines to follow regarding medications.

9. What discipline techniques are used?

10.  How flexible are they with special requests?

When you tour a child care place, observe how the children and staff interact with each other.  How clean is the facility? How do you feel when you are there?