XP: Things to Note/Questions to Ask at Daycare Center Tour

CholeCO2006

I also posted this on the working moms board but figured I'd ask you ladies, with your infinite wisdom, on here as well!

I'm way late to the game in finding infant daycare when I go back to work in approx. late April and baby is 12 weeks old.  I have my first center tour this afternoon and I have no idea what specifics I should be looking for be looking for or asking about.  What things should set off red flags or should I be worried about if I see?  What kinds of logistical questions should I ask?  I feel clueless going into this whole process so any advice would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks.

goldenjes

Questions:  Staff turnover rate, Teacher experience, training classes (all should have basic CPR/First Aid, but some have extras), Sick/Holiday policies.

Here's a pretty good list of questions:

FamilyDoctor.org

...and some observations:

While you tour, watch how the kids interact with the teachers. 

Do the kids look at ease, does it feel like a loving environment?

Are the teachers welcoming toward you or other parents?  Do they seem annoyed you're there, or happy to show you their class?

What's your gut feeling?  (Don't ignore any doubts)  Can you imagine your baby happily crawling around there next fall?

 

AdaraMarie

I don't remember any of the things I asked.  The main things for me were if the people I met were nice and if I could see myself staying there all day every day.  The thing that made the decision for me was gut feeling.

At all the centers I looked at, I asked them for their policys/parent handbook so I could take it home and check out their rules without having to ask all the questions up front.  It helped me think of questions for later.

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't start seriously looking until after DD was born.  I tried when I was pregnant, but it was too overwhelming.  It was a little overwhelming after, but once I met her, I had a better idea what I would want for her.

smilelari

Here's the list of questions I toted around to all the daycares:

What is the teacher to infant ratio?

What do you do for daily reporting? (most places have some sort of sheet that they fill out with when baby ate, was changed, slept, etc)

Center hours?

Do you have on site storage (for extra clothes, diapers, etc)?

What is the emergency plan for fire, tornadoes, etc?

Is there a set curriculum (it won't be much for infants but I like it when they have some sort of answer to this question)?

Freezer space for breast milk?

Who fills in for lunch breaks, vacations, etc?

How long have the teachers been there?  What is the turnover rate for teachers?

What are the teacher's qualifications?

What is the pickup procedure (basically what sort of security policies they have in place)?

How often are toys cleaned and sanitized?

Is it ok to visit child during day (red flag if answer is no or they ask for notice)?

Will you do cloth diapering (this might not apply to you)?

Do they take the infants outside regularly?

Does each child have an assigned crib (or do they switch - more risk of germ spreading if they are in a different crib every day)?

Most places will show off the things they are proud of.  For example at the place we picked they build a square thing for the kid to play with during tummy time that has pictures of mom and dad on it.  They think it's comforting for the babies to see their parents   I thought that was pretty cool.  Also be sure to ask to see some of the rooms for the older kids.

azuremama

I would ask how long the main teachers in the room your kid will likely be in have been there.  To me, teachers that have been there a while generally like the place and that's a good sign to me, although of course there's some turnover.

What do they provide in terms of food?  You might want to look at a menu if that's important to you.  Your baby won't eat the food for a while, but eventually he/she will.

When do they switch between rooms and how do they do the transition?  Gradual transitions and ones where they move a couple of kids at once seem to go more smoothly in my experience.

Is the area where babies sleep somehow separated from the rest of the room?  How do they get babies to sleep? 

Generally, I would look around to see if a place seems light and clean.  Do the kids seem happy?  Do the teachers act as if they enjoy the kids?

Good luck!  It's so hard to know what to look for--even now I'm not sure.  It's more of a gut reaction.  Hopefully you'll find a place that feels good and you wouldn't mind sending your kiddo to.

DownToEarthGirl

Here's what I said a couple months ago (lazy so I just went to my posts and stole it).  I too agree that gut-feeling was the biggest issue for me.

"Here's the things that mattered to me (not all as a newborn, but good to keep in mind for that whole first year):

Ask about hours, times, what happens if later?

Nap location and style - rock baby to sleep, rub back, baby determined schedule vs. tries to get eveyone down at once (usually they do baby-determined until closer to 6 months from my experience)

Other kids around - stimulation for baby and similar ages?

Attachment stuff - do they use a Moby/Beco/Ergo to help baby feel secure when they have to attend to other kids/needs?  Do they have baby swings/bouncy seats for soothing babies?

Do they go outside everyday?  Walks, parks, places to play?  Does she have double stroller if she has another kid? 

Payment on sick/vacation days?  Sick policy? 

What you provide - all diapers, diaper cream, sunscreen (little early)?  Food when she starts eating?  Can you bring your own if you want? 

Travel with baby (to museums, kid pick-up etc., in an emergency) - car insurance, license, driving record?

Who covers if daycare provider is gone/sick - friend/family/employee?

Experience - how many babies they have watched?  Ages she loves in development? 

Reading - does she read much?  Any TV that they watch?  Kids music and art actvities (look around - does she post what the kids do and are they recent)?  Any preschool program also - could you potentially leave your LO there for early 2-3 preschool activities? 

Cost?  (I really regret paying $80/day at first with my oldest - I thought it sounded fantastic, but later realized I could get someone who was just as awesome for half that!)

And overall, do you like her and would you like to sit and have coffee with her?  That's my thing b/c I really wanted someone who would overshare the details if I asked, but know that she would be part of our little community of to help raise our kiddos. 

Honestly, I've used a licensed in-home person the most, but also used some care from unlicensed SAHMs who just watched their own kid and mine (didn't need to be licensed), and also now use a center.  All were good and had benefits and all had drawbacks.  I wish there would have been more nanny-shares when I had my first b/c it would have been ideal and a nanny-share can end up costing the same as regular care, but might be a great way to get individualized baby care and a little socialization."