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12-26-2012 at 9:55 AM
snok83
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Joined on 05-31-2010
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snok83 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 7:33 PMNewbie

Need list of daycare questions...

Okay, a while back someone had posted a document with various questions to ask potential daycare providers.  Of course, I have browsed and read so many of the different boards on this website.  I cannot remember where it was at.  Just wondering if anyone had a copy of them they could send me or tell me which board they were posted on.  I've tried searching for them but still have not found. Thanks!
 
12-26-2012 at 10:17 AM
heddy79
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heddy79 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 1:17 PMBronze

Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but here is the list that I compliled and used when I interviewed our daycare provider:

1.       Security - who can enter facility; nursery?

2.       Who is certified in CPR?

3.       What steps are being taken to prevent SIDS?

4.       Who supervises nursery?  How often?

5.       If there is a fire, how are they getting the infants out of the building?

6.       How much interaction is there with older children?

7.       Are cell phones used in the nursery?  TV?

8.       Do they follow the babies sleep and feeding schedule?

9.       Where is milk stored? How is it heated? Are babies held when fed?

10.   Are they insured?

11.   What form of discipline do they use?

12.   Do infants share cribs?

13.   What stimulating activities are used when babies are awake?  Are they left alone in crib when awake?

14.   When do infants transition to the next room/age level?

15.   Do infants go outside?  Is it fenced in?

16.   Will I be charged if we are out of town for a week?

17.   How often are changing tables disinfected?

18.   Turn over of staff?

19.   Staff to infant ratios?

20.   How are daily reports done?

21.   What certifications do employees hold? 

22.   What kind of background checks are done on employees?

23.   Do I need to provide the crib sheet/mattress cover?

24.   How often are diapers checked/changed?  Will another infant be using my diapers?

25.   Open door policy?

26.   What curriculum is used?


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12-27-2012 at 9:37 AM
mrsw1007
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Joined on 01-28-2007
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mrsw1007 is not online. Last active: 01-30-2013, 5:36 PMNewbie
heddy79:

Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but here is the list that I compliled and used when I interviewed our daycare provider:

1.       Security - who can enter facility; nursery?

2.       Who is certified in CPR?

3.       What steps are being taken to prevent SIDS?

4.       Who supervises nursery?  How often?

5.       If there is a fire, how are they getting the infants out of the building?

6.       How much interaction is there with older children?

7.       Are cell phones used in the nursery?  TV?

8.       Do they follow the babies sleep and feeding schedule?

9.       Where is milk stored? How is it heated? Are babies held when fed?

10.   Are they insured?

11.   What form of discipline do they use?

12.   Do infants share cribs?

13.   What stimulating activities are used when babies are awake?  Are they left alone in crib when awake?

14.   When do infants transition to the next room/age level?

15.   Do infants go outside?  Is it fenced in?

16.   Will I be charged if we are out of town for a week?

17.   How often are changing tables disinfected?

18.   Turn over of staff?

19.   Staff to infant ratios?

20.   How are daily reports done?

21.   What certifications do employees hold? 

22.   What kind of background checks are done on employees?

23.   Do I need to provide the crib sheet/mattress cover?

24.   How often are diapers checked/changed?  Will another infant be using my diapers?

25.   Open door policy?

26.   What curriculum is used?

What?? If thats possible that daycare should be shut down!

Do you mean share cribs on opposite days that another child is not there???


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12-27-2012 at 10:12 AM
sunkissed7...
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sunkissed7804 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 11:13 AMNewbie

Everything posted is awesome!  I used to do Environmental Scale assessments for infant/toddler rooms.  A popular question I would get involved the Active Play.  YES...babies of all ages (even itty bitties) should go outside--EVERY SINGLE DAY!!  Not just in a stroller. They should be put down on a large mat or blanket and be given appropriate toys and access to interact with nature.  Many positive interactions can happen between teachers and peers during times outside.  Babies that get outside time every day tend to get sick less and be happier during the day!

Take a look at the link.  Feel free to ask me any specific questions about any of the sections. 

Put the following into your browser:

tnstarquality.org/refs/iters_dap_06.pdf

 
12-27-2012 at 10:25 AM
sunkissed7...
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sunkissed7804 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 11:13 AMNewbie

Also, to add...

-Be very leery of any center which does not allow you to simply pop in to look around and watch interactions and procedures (i.e. diapering, napping, meals, hand washing, etc.).  Watch closely. These are the times when you will get honest answers. Also, keep in mind that you should never be left unattended anywhere in the center.  If they leave you without supervision, what does that tell you?

-Something I used to do before I started every assessment...sit in the room and close your eyes for a couple of minutes.  How do you feel?  What do you hear?  What do you smell?  Take the time to catch the vibe!! 

-Make yourself aware of teacher to child ratio mandates in your state and see if the center abides by them at all times.  It is a big deal if any classroom is not in ratio even for half a minute.  That means the supervision is lacking and it is dangerous.  Ratio rules were created for a reason.

-Don't just look in one classroom.  Ask if there are others.  Often centers will have more than one baby room.  Also, look in the older classrooms.  Teachers can sometimes be shifted to follow ratios (for breaks or fill ins) and you want to see every single person who could come in contact with your baby at any given time.

-Go back to the center multiple times to see what is different each time.  Do not give warning.  Just show up.

 Hope this helps!!


 
12-27-2012 at 12:31 PM
snok83
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Joined on 05-31-2010
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snok83 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 7:33 PMNewbie

Thanks for the list of questions and tips!   I found them very helpful.  Not necessarily looking forward to thinking about daycare already!  But in our area the infant spots fill quickly and I would rather reserve a spot at a good location early than to wait and be disappointed.

 

 
12-27-2012 at 2:46 PM
dmarie1010
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dmarie1010 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 7:30 PMNewbie

As the owner and director of a daycare center I must say I agree with everything that was said except one thing...the just show up. We run on a schedule at my center, or as close to one as you can have with little ones, just showing up can throw off a routine, take attention away from children and staff, and it poses a security issue. While parents are always welcome to come by, I do try to schedule visitors around a time that works best during our day. Plus you never know what is going on, the other day I had someone just stop by, right as one child was throwing up, another was throwing a tantrum and a third had just pooped up her back...this happened in two different rooms and having someone ringing our upstairs bell during all of this made things more stressful then they needed to be!  I explained they would have to come back because I had a sick child downstairs and o please call beforehand. Luckily they were very understanding.

Another question I would ask is how often are toys, and the rooms in general disinfected and with what (we use a bleach and water mixture mandated by the state as well as "green" cleaners), and if blankets or sheets are on the cribs asked how often they are washed and who is responsible for washing them (the center or you).  Find out there sick kid policy, are you allowed to send a child with a cough, etc, some places are stricter then others. And depending on where you live ask about weather related closings, we follow the school calender of the town we are in, and parents are responsible for payment on those days.

 

Hope that helps good luck! You can also ask for recommendations, my parents are always willing to talk to potential, new parents.


 
12-27-2012 at 3:20 PM
sunkissed7...
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sunkissed7804 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 11:13 AMNewbie

I completely understand your take of the whole stopping by without appointment.  None of the centers I assessed ever knew the exact day I was coming and even the great ones found it unnerving. However, many centers which are not up to par will use a wide range of excuses to make everything nice and smooth when potential parents come in to inspect.  I would say that if you stop in once and they say "Whoa!  Really bad time!" or if something is scheduled (like a picture day), then, sure, that is fine.  BUT if you come back again and there is another reason, it would throw up a red flag. 

We always told our parents that came to the agency to go for an appointment and to do at least one pop in.  It shows the true colors of a center or a home.  Poop happens but on most days the center should prove that they are able to handle it.  Plus, any parent who doesn't understand that poop happens and how visits (planned or not) can impact the flow of the center...you don't want their kids there!  Those are the ones looking for perfection and they certainly won't find it! As two people who have experience in this area, I believe we can agree on that!

 
12-27-2012 at 8:32 PM
dmarie1010
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dmarie1010 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 7:30 PMNewbie

 I agree 100% 


 
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