What to ask in-home daycare

catarntina

I've set up an interview with an in-home daycare provider for this Tuesday.  Does anyone have a list of questions to ask?  I feel clueless.

TIA

kt1025

We use an in-home provider for M and I talked to 5 of them before choosing.  If it's a licensed provider, they will usually have their policies outlined for you (which may spur questions).  But important things to know are: their hours, how they handle holidays and vacation time (theirs and yours), what they provide for meals/snacks, activities, discipline techniques, if they help with potty training, how many/what ages are the other kids there.  Good luck!

ilovedpp

I used this as a starting point: https://www.qualistar.org/uploads/file/ChildCareMaze_English.pdf 

I asked a lot of the structure of the day, how much freedom the kids had, sleeping arrangements, their policy on discipline, any other adults that would be in the house (EVER!), holidays/vacation/sick day policies, references from other parents, food (what was being served and when), policy on parents stopping by during the day, field trips, any subs she might use when she's gone, any curriculum when the kids got older, group size/license capacity, etc. 

Also, YGPM.

MWiley0225

what happens if daycare provider is sick-

amwadas

You have a lot of great suggestions already, but I also say go with your gut. You'll know if this person is right for you and your family to deal with every day. Also, ask if they have a structured preschool/learning type program for when he gets older. Ours was pretty losey goosey and I never asked about it at the beginning and other than the fact we moved across town we would have had to switch DD's daycare so that she could be in a better learning environment. I'm amazes me at the things DD is saying/doing after only being at her new daycare for a week and a half so a good structure is important for sure.

catarntina

ilovedpp:

Also, YGPM.

YGPM Back

 

Thanks for the suggestions ladies!!  I wrote them all down.  ilovedpp, that form is awesome and I'm going to print it out.  I really appreciate all the help!

ilovedpp

YGPM back!