Interview Questions

[Spixie33]

My list of phone interview questions is pretty much like this:

What is the age of your child?
Are you looking for full time or part time care?
When are you looking to start care?
Has the child been in daycare before?
What sort of hours were you looking for? Do you know what your schedule will be?
Are you located in this area or are you familiar with this subdivision?
Do you have to drive very far to work?

In between I make a little chit chat about how the year must have flown by if it was maternity leave or talk about how stressful it sometimes can be to return to work etc so I get a feel for the parent based on their response.

A lot of times the parent will then start talking like a waterfall and I get a wealth of info. Some of the things like asking what hours they need and then knowing how far they drive to work also helps me calculate if they are over-projecting their ability to be here on time.

I do not want someone who says they can do a 30 minute drive in 28 minutes. Well.....what about bad traffic,bad weather,, etc. Knowing these small things lets me form an opinion whether I even want to take that risk



DURING THE INTERVIEW
I ask more about what the child's routine is like at home presently
What time does the child nap? One or two naps?
Do they enjoy being with other kids?
Do they like going outside even in different kind of weather?
Does the child eat well, are they picky, any allergies???
Who would typically drop off and pick up and what hours (yes I ask again to be sure there are no red flags now that they had more time to think about it)
Are there any concerns?
What is important for them in a daycare?

[Sandbox Sally]

What is important for them in a daycare?

This is my favourite one...OR similarly, What do you expect from me as a provider?

[Mamma_Mia]

DURING THE INTERVIEW
I ask more about what the child's routine is like at home presently
What time does the child nap? One or two naps?
Do they enjoy being with other kids?
Do they like going outside even in different kind of weather?
Does the child eat well, are they picky, any allergies???
Who would typically drop off and pick up and what hours (yes I ask again to be sure there are no red flags now that they had more time to think about it)
Are there any concerns?
What is important for them in a daycare?

Along with my Manual & Contract I have a "All About Me" form (about the child) and it asks a bunch of these questions for the parent(s) to fill out. It covers eating, sleeping, playing, waking up, routines at home. DO they try new things or is it all over & over & over again...that will also let me know how child will like changes, if they aren't used to them.

I give it all to the parents while we are in the playroom together to look over since I'm there to answer any questions they have. A) no misunderstandings via email or text etc. and B) I get to warm up to the child and see them in action when the parents aren't paying attention.

[Spixie33]

Mamma Mia - good idea.
I give out an All About Me Questionnaire during registration and it is about 4 pages long and profiles the child.

In the interview I am still trying to make up my mind if the child will fit in, whether they seem to have a very high maintenance schedule etc so that is why I just ask verbally about the child's day and tendencies etc.

I don't like handing out my whole enrollment package unless I am sure we are a fit. I do give my contract to almost everyone though because if the contract scares them away then I don't want them anyways