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Input on Home Daycare?
Okay ladies, I need some help. Again, you are the largest group of Mothers I know and I know I can get some honest and helpful input and feedback. 
Its getting closer to me starting a Home Daycare. I am really excited about it and I really want to get the word out there and try to stand out from the typical Home Daycares. I am creating an ad and have some ideas but ideas from other Moms is always helpful!
So far, I have in mind that I want to put on the ad that I am open to different styles of parenting. ie I wouldn't mind cding other peoples babies, I did baby led weaning with Makenna so that wouldn't be a problem for me also. We have a large playroom in the main floor/living area of our house, a big backyard (which will be fenced in this spring) with climbers, a swing and a playhouse. We love to do crafts and hands on learning, there is a nice park within walking distance. I am thinking of providing healthy & creative lunches and snacks for the older babies/kids and plan on creating a weekly food & play plan to hand out to the parents.
So. My questions for you, what do you look for in a daycare? What qualifications do you like to see, what don't you like to see?
Any input, suggestions or concerns is greatly appreciated!
Re: Input on Home Daycare?
I'd look for some kind of emergency health qualifications (CPR, etc) for sure! I'd also ask about what is entailed in healthy food especially if my child has dietary restrictions.
Ideally, I'd like my kids to be in a day care that has access to a certified ECE (early childhood educator), because I'd want to know that the person running the place has a background in structuring a day around my child's specific requirements So, when looking for a day care, I'd want to know how the provider has a tangible understanding of what my child needs (so, like, we're going to work on _____ because it's a great way to develop fine motor skills). I want someone who can do a BETTER job than I can in terms of fostering creativity and stimulating intellectual growth.
I think having a sample of what your weekly programming looks like would be a brilliant idea.
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I will just tell you what I like about mine. It was the only one I looked at, since it came highly recommended from good friends of ours and their family that also used the same place. Once I met them, I was sold.
I liked that they were state licensed. This also means they get all their food through the state, so it's set up as a healthy meal plan. It was one less thing I had to worry about on a daily basis, not to mention cost saving. 2 meals each day, plus snack, is a big deal. They also provide formula all week for DS. HUGE savings.
I really like that they take the kids out for walks. I think they have more play areas in the backyard, but for now, it's all snowed on.
When we want to try something new at home, they are right on board with us doing it at daycare. For instance, when we wanted to get rid of the swaddle, they jumped on board during nap time. They don't try and take the easy way out. I also really love the way they handle situations with the bigger kids. There's no yelling, and everything is done in a positive manner.
I think what you're offering is great. It's really word of mouth that will help you. I think 95% of the kids at our daycare are all friends with each other or live nearby the house.
I agree with both Snoopy and Kaesha, especially as to early childhood qualifications and the necessary permits. The DC B and I toured yesterday includes diapers, wipes, and food (formula for infants) in its cost, which is a huge savings. It also prevents problems some of my friends have had in the past, where the DC calls because one of the parents forgot to bring food.
It might not be an issue for where you live, but because I live in such an urban neighborhood, a DC that has car seat/stroller storage during the day is fairly important. It would allow B or I to walk to DC on the way to work without having to return home first.
Also, are you planning on running the DC by yourself or hiring others? If you'll be by yourself, what's the contingency plan for if you get sick or go on vacation?
Yay, I'm so excited that you are on your way!
I would make sure that you are CPR/First Aid certified and that you have a background check and are drug tested. I would also get licensed with the state to show that you are in compliance with the state rules and regulations.
I'm sure you'll get asked what happens if you are sick, have a family emergency, or are on vacation. Since you will be a new daycare I'd also ask for references.
Some other questions I would ask would be: will the babies/children sleep in the same area where they will be playing? What is your child to caregiver ratio? Who comes in and out of your house on a daily basis? What happens if a child is hurt under your care? Do you still have to pay if you the baby is out (say on vacation)? What's your vaccination policy?
I like the structure of Parker's daycare. They have daily crafts, story time, singing circle time, and outside time. All activities are centered to where the kids are developmentally. The center is clean and there is proper security (like a finger print scanner in order to get inside).
Can't wait to hear how it all goes!
PPs have some great points. Here's a little of my perspective as a parent - DD1 was in a home daycare for 3 years, and my former SIL had a home caycare for several years when my nephews were young.
Emergency plans - how will you handle notification to the parents in the event of an emergency? What would you do if there were a police situation on your street? I would appreciate knowing you have a formal plan in place, as well as CPR and first aid training.
Meal planning - provide prospective parents a sample of meals & snack plans/menus.
Does your state licensing allow for CDing? Just curious - I'm not sure if daycares decline because they just don't want to do it, or if there is a health code issue. Something to find out from your state.
Potty training plans - My SIL potty trained dozens of kids. She had it down pat. Something to think about and maybe outline in your parent manual.
I used to get a sheet at pick up that said what she ate, how much she napped (approx), any issues she had during the day. Writing it down made sure they didn't forget to tell me something.
Lesson plans - as a prospective parent, I would like to see what your curriculum would be on a typical day or month for the toddlers & preschoolers.
Alternative scheduling - this completely depends on you and your clientele. For example, my SIL had a lot of parents who worked for the Sheriff's department and did shift work. She sometimes had children who she watched over second or third shift. Something else to consider if it's applicable in your area.
Vacation scheduling - will you have a designated substitute for times you will be away? It can be frustrating for parents to find alternate care if you simply decide to close for a week or two.
This might make me sound like a bad mom, but I didn't go into daycare tours with a ton of specific questions. I went in with the attitude of letting the DCP do the talking, and then asking additional questions later.
So - my advice is to have a good spiel about what you're offering - activities, meals, experience, certifications. Some parents may not have all the questions lined up, but then walk out the door thinking that you missed something.
That said, here were some things I looked for:
- Definitely ECE certification and other relevant state licenses and qualifications (IMO, these are what make you a "daycare provider" vs. a "babysitter")
- Cleaning policies (toys, floors etc.) and also, do you teach/make the kids tidy up at the end of the day
- Re: cloth diapers, here's a good resource for you to look up your state regulations, in case you haven't already seen it http://www.myblossombottom.com/pages/State-Regulations-on-Cloth-Diaper-in-Child-Care-.html
- Sick policies
- Extra help (most home DCs had an extra pair of hands even if they were not ECE qualified - with half a dozen kids, this seems like a big deal to me)
- Outdoor time
- Separate nap area and flexibility with nap schedules
Granted, a lot of these things were covered by provincial regulations for home daycares.
I agree with everything everyone else said too.
I like what you said about being open to other parenting philosophies. IMO, if someone said that to me, I'd give them big points even if they didn't cover every single item I wanted. I'd walk away feeling like this was a DCP I was willing to work with.
Have you ever considered looking into the Montessori method? I mention this only because it would fit well with your openness and flexibility. But there's a lot to it so it may be something you might want to consider down the road.
One more thing, here was a guide that I found helpful when I was looking for a daycare. This covers some questions a lot of parents might ask and things they'd look for (page 2 and 3 are particularly helpful). http://www.daycarebear.ca/choosing-the-right-daycare-provider.php
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Thanks ladies! I definitely appreciate all the feedback! You have definitely given me a few points to research beforehand. I did plan on getting my First Aide/CPR/AED certification. I also looked a little into State Licensing, I know I am able to watch 5 kids (not including my own) without a license. In our situation, I am very doubtful I would get a state license because of our animals...specifically the snakes. But I could be wrong.
I definitely have some work ahead of me before we get this started though! Thanks again!
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