Finding the right child care can be a time consuming and overwhelming process.  We put together a checklist of helpful questions to ask your potential provider and things to be aware of during the process.  We will constantly be adding and updating to these lists to help parents, so please feel free to email us helpful questions or insights to add.

Although nannies and babysitters are briefly mentioned in some parts, the main focus is for licensed child care providers.

DECIDE WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE

One of the first things to consider when beginning your search is to decide what type of facility you want to place your child in.  Facilities range in many different factors from enrollment size, hours of operation, cost, and philosophy.  Some providers are licensed and others are not.  Being licensed provides a guideline for health and safety within the facility, but does not assure quality.

TYPES OF CHILD CARE FACILITIES

CHILD CARE CENTERS - This term encompasses such facilities as day care centers, preschools, and nurseries. These are licensed by the State.  Philosophies or child care styles can include Play Based, Montessori, Cooperative (co-op), Reggi Emilia, and Waldorf.  Private companies, churches, feeder schools, or community centers can operate these types of facilities.  They can provide care for infants, toddlers, and preschool age children for all or part of the day.

Some advantages of Child Care Centers

• Can have a wide range of special programs such a meals, education, and hours of  operation.
• Because staff size is not dependent on one person, generally the facility will remain open if someone calls in sick or leaves.
• All Staff is required to have passed a background check .
• Usually more affordable than having a nanny.

Some disadvantages of child care centers

• Larger programs tend to be more formalized rather than individualized.
• Increased exposure to sicknesses.
• Staff may not always be able to tend to infant or child's needs immediately due to child/staff   ratio size.

IN HOME CARE - An individual or small staff cares for other children and infants within a residence. These home situations  may or may not be licensed, so be sure to ask.

Some advantages of Home Care Providers

• Generally less expensive than child care centers.
• Can be a more home feeling environment causing less stress for infants.
• Usually more individualized care or special arrangements can be arranged.

Some disadvantages of Home Care Providers

• Staff usually consists of one or two people creating a possible need to cover care if staff is sick or needs to leave.
• Staff may not be professionally trained.
• Formal educational programs or activities may be lacking.

NANNIES AND AU PAIRS - A person cares for your child within your home.  This type of care is not licensed by the State.  Agencies, referral services, or word of mouth provide contacts for this type of care. The person may live in the home or give care while parents are away.

Some advantages of Nannies and Au Pairs

• Individualized care for your child.
• Familiar environment.
• Less exposure to other babies’ germs.

Some disadvantages of Nannies and Au Pairs

• Usually the most expensive form of child care.
• Parents may become jealous if a strong bond develops between child and care giver.
• Loss of privacy within home.

Other basic questions to consider…

• What are the days and hours you will need care?
• What location will be most convenient?  Near your home?  Near work?  In home?
• What will your budget be?
• Will your child have any special needs?  Health related?  Dietary?  Educational?

LOCATING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

Now that you have some idea of what type of facility you are looking for, how do you find what you will need?  There are quite a few resources.

Child Care Resource and Referral Network - One of the best ways to locate licensed facilities near you.  They provide free assistance and referrals from their database of local providers.

Other Parents - Parents are usually more than happy to share their experiences, so go ahead and ask. No one understands better than another parent who has been through the process.

Nanny Agencies -  A top agency will eliminate a lot of your legwork to make sure an applicant is properly screened.  A yahoo search can provide local agencies.  Always be sure to check the references and background on the applicant, as well as, the agency.

Doctors and Teachers  - No one sees more children each day than these working Professionals.  They may have recommendations or  knowledge of reputable programs.

INTERVIEWING THE PROVIDER

Now that you have referrals from your sources, it's time to get more details about the provider.

Keep it simple at first.  There's no need to set up interviews for every referral you have.  We suggest making a quick phone call to request basic information about the facility.  Notice we said quick phone call because more than likely the provider won't have much time to talk, if any, because they are busy taking care of children.  Their time will be very limited so make your questions count.  You should have a list of your most important questions ready.  This would include:

• Hours of operation?
• Cost?
• Do they have any openings for your child?
• If your child has a special need, can they accommodate it?

If the answers are in line with what you are looking for, then you may want to set up an interview time at the facility to further discuss your questions.   Notice the interview will take place at the facility so that you will be taking care of two very important things at once, evaluating the provider and the facility.  You may need to be the one that is flexible because of the provider's care giving schedule.   Don't expect to just drop in for an interview.

Make sure the interview time works for both parents and child. It will be important to see how your child reacts towards the care giver and facility, and how the care giver responds to you and your child during the meeting.  If, for some reason, one parent cannot make the interview, then bring a trusted friend along so that afterwards you will have someone to process the meeting.

 General Questions to ask the provider

• How long have they been doing this?
• Are they licensed?
• What do they like about children?
• What are their qualifications?
• What would a typical day consist of for my child?
• Do you allow parents to drop in unannounced?
• Will there be other people watching my child?  Who?  Can I meet them?
• What items are the parents expected to supply?
• What are their policies regarding discipline? Timeouts?  Verbal?  Physical?
• Meal time?
• Naps?
• Medications?
• Illness with children?
• Late pick ups?
• Activities?
• Educational programs?

Ask hypothetical or "what if" questions?

• What if my child won’t stop crying?
• What is my child refuses to eat or nap?
• How would you handle toilet training?
• How would you handle an emergency?

Things to observe...

• What is the interaction between the care giver and your child?  Are they at the level of the child or sitting away when talking to them?
• Does the facility appear clean?
• Do the toys and play areas appear to be in good condition?
• Are there smoke alarms and an emergency evacuation plan?
• Are all electrical outlets covered?
• Are all dangerous items (cleaning products, medicine, poisons, and weapons) locked away?
• If a swimming pool is there, is it fenced off?
• If pets are there, how are they monitored? Are all shots up to date?
• Any gates needed to keep children out of certain unsafe or unmonitored areas?
• Can the care giver see and hear the children at all times?

Infant and toddler care...

• Does the caregiver have any special training or understanding about caring for children who are not yet able to communicate their needs?
• How quickly do they respond to a crying baby?
• Does the care giver have other infants to care for?
• What are the ages and how many other children will be around the baby?
• Is the crib area free from blankets, pillows, and toys?
• How often is a diaper changed?
• Is the baby held while being fed?
• Is the floor clean for the baby to be placed on to roll or crawl?
  

CHECK REFERENCES

Whether you decide to ask for references at the interview or call for them afterwards, the important thing is to get multiple references from the provider.  You can pretty much assume that the reverences from current parents who child attends the daycare will have fairly good comments, otherwise why would they have their child there?  Try to get at least one reference from a parent who no longer has their child there.

Basic questions for a current enrollee can include...

• How long has your child been going there?
• How old is he/she now?  And when he/she began the care?
• What do you like about the provider and the facility?
• Is there anything you dislike about the provider and the facility?
• Have you ever had any problems with the provider?  If so, what was it?
  
• The questions above can be included for a former enrollee as well as...
  What was the reason you stopped attending?
  

CHECK THE PROVIDER'S LICENSE

This research can be done at any point during the process.  Every licensed facility will have a record which includes license status, past inspections and if any violations occurred, and any substantiated complaints.   Child Care Check, Inc. can research this and provide you with a report about the provider’s compliance history.

If an infraction is found on the provider's record, each parent must assess the level of concern for a particular violation or complaint.  A range of possibilities exists for a type of violation or complaint.  While every rule is created to promote the health safety and welfare of a child, parents should view certain rule violations with more concern.  For example:

• Imminent danger:  death, hospitalization, child abuse, or child left unsupervised (neglect).
• Serious dangers that could become imminent:  hiring staff without a background check, unsecured access to pets, poisons, household cleaners, weapons, or open water areas, low ratio of staff to children, seriously broken toys or furniture and surroundings.
• Moderate:  repeated violations uncorrected, yelling at children, staff to children ratio violations, inadequate equipment or furniture, inadequate sleep or meal periods,  unsanitary facility, lacking of attentive diaper changing, unlicensed care.
• Mild: record keeping, inadequate policies or procedures, staff turnover.

Other things to consider:

• Was this a one time violation or a repeat of the same violation?
• Was the violation or complaint related to facility safety, staff interaction or record keeping?
• How did the provider respond to fix it?
• We encourage you to discuss any concerns or questions directly with the provider.