Interviewing your provider
I have compiled a detailed list of questions that come to parent’s minds when you start looking for a daycare. These questions are more appropriate to home day care setting. You may not want to scare your provider with this questionnaire:) but these are important issues and discuss them before you decide. Most providers have clear manuals. Be sure to read the manual. They have thought about a lot of things like you do and put together their expectations in the manual. Do not take anything for granted. Ask the provider if you have any specific questions. Sometimes a provider might not have updated everything in the manual. There might be changes that are current.
1. How long have you been doing day care business?
2. How many children do you have under your care and what are their ages?
3. Do you have children of your own? If so how many and how old are they?
4. What is your day care routine?
5. Do you believe in a same routine for age groups under 12 months, under 18 months and under 24 months ( sleep and other activities)?
6. What do you expect from a child (under 6 months, under 12 months, 12-18 months, under 24 months etc)
7. What habits in an infant, toddler etc would you rather not want to deal with at all? In other terms what habits is a certain NO in your day care?
8. What is your policy on attention-seeking babies? Would you soothe them and slowly transition them or you would break their attention-seeking habit by not giving in? In these cases what is your method of discipline with babies under a year, 12-18 months, under 24 months etc..
9. What is your idea on developmental milestones? For example age for walking, age for communication (non-verbal) and verbal communication, age for transitioning to one nap, age for self feeding with help and without help, age for following simple commands, age for interaction with other kids ( playing with other kids) etc.
10. If the babies had not eaten well during the meal times do you give them an intermediate snack or a bottle? Do you serve warm or cold milk to baby’s liking?
11. Do you have an open door policy? How would you define your open door policy? Are you open to making a parent feel comfortable in the initial three weeks of settling time? For example, allowing them to drop in anytime. Is there a way that the parent can quietly visit without interrupting the day care activities?
12. Is your home a safe place and do you have enough safety training yourself?
13. Do you walk/ drive other babies or toddler when you transport older kids to school?
14. Is your home a safe place and do you have enough safety training yourself?
15. Do you use monitors in their beds?
16. Do you organize outings and field trips?
17. Do you have outdoor time in winter and if so how long?
18. Do any of your children have food allergies and what is restricted in your day care?
19. Do you hand in information sheets about food and drink, bowel movement etc. If you do not, do you keep a record?
20. How often do you sanitize the toys, bedding etc.
21. Has your business moved from one location to other within the past 5 years and if so how many times and why?
22. Do you have any other family member (husband, sister, brother etc…) who officially /unofficially assists you with the day care? Do they live with you? If not how often do they visit? Are there any other frequent visitors? Would you be willing to provide police clearance certificates?
23. References? ( No one shows you a negative reference)
24. Would you be open to introducing us to the current batch of parents whose children are under your care?
25. How long have the current parents had their children with you?
26. Have you had any minor or major disagreements with parents on any childcare issues? Would you be open to discussing them?
27. Sick policy….when the child is sick, when you are sick…. And what is sick? Does throwing up count as sick, two diarrheas count as sick?
28. Vacation time
29. Open and close time, late fees
30. Occasionally, if the parent is stuck in traffic/transport issues …how flexible are you before calling the second contact on the list?
31. Do you offer receipts and if so how ( once a year, once a month etc)
32. What is your expectation from parents?
Information that you should share with your provider
1. What time would you drop off your child every morning?
Remember to inform your provider if you decide to keep your child home for any reason. If you drop off your kid at 8, call the provider at the same time to inform the absence so she/he can plan accordingly.
2. Who will drop off the child in the morning and who picks up in the evening?
3. What does your child do at home, his/her stage of development?
4. What upsets or cheers up your child?
5. What does your child like to eat, how does your child like his/her milk?
6. Is your child a picky eater? What is an ideal portion?
7. What foods have been introduced and what has not been?
(Make a list. Have a look at the provider’s menu and try to introduce things that you might not have tried just to see if your child is allergic to anything)
8. Can your child communicate (basic things like milk, water, eat etc… if there are no words yet, does he or she have a specific way of telling these things.
9. Does your child have a routine at home? How much does he/she sleep?
10. Is there a security object that your child hangs on to? Are you trying to get rid of the habit and if so how?
11. Does your child have stranger anxiety? Is your child clinging to you all the time? Is he/she used to being held?
12. Does your child self-soothe to sleep? Binky, blanket etc.
13. Do you co-sleep with your child?
14. What as a parent are you most concerned about? Are you concerned about eating and sleeping? Are you looking for activities and stimulation along with the eating and sleeping?
15. Has your child been at any other day care, babysitter etc….before this?
Why are you moving your child? Would your previous daycare mind giving a few tips to the current provider?
16. Have you had a bad experience before? If so would you be open to discussing it?
17. Will you pay on time and what routine do you want to practice cheque, cash, which day of the week etc.
18. Would you want to visit your child in the first few days without notice? How many times would you want to do that?
19. Would you sign a contract?
20. Would you like to start part-time and then transition?
21. What is the best way to communicate to you? Email, phone timings etc.
This is a rather extensive list. You may want to customize it according to your needs.
