What do you look for when choosing a DayCare

Elysa - posted on 07/20/2009

you should def ask to sit in on a class or see how the day care is run... i did interning and the most expensive places in nicer suburbs had the worst employees that paid little or no attention to the needs or safety of the kids

Yvonne - posted on 07/19/2009

how clean are they, how often are diapers changed. Policy on punishment (if your kid hits mine what happens next), snacks are nutritious, kids are kept busy WITHOUT a television, enough daycare workers to provide quality care, how much it costs...expensive isn't necesasrily the best, hours of operation (not every job is 9-5),.

Vickie - posted on 07/19/2009

Professionalism, developmentally appropriate practice and what type of schedule you have for the children is important.

Mannin - posted on 07/17/2009

when choosing a daycare, you should look for quality, star rating, do a background check on the daycare facility, and the person(s) who be caring for your child, low ratios, activities and lessons plans and interaction between your child and teacher when touring the facility. "Everything that looks good is not good."

Robin - posted on 07/17/2009

I want to know that my child care provider gives my little one attention and affection, as much as she needs. Since I feel so bad about having to leave her in the first place, I want to know that she's feeling safe, secure, and loved in my absence.

Desrie - posted on 07/17/2009

Personally, I looked for structured learning through fun. Staff ratio, how clean and bright the environment is. How happy the kids are... The types of activities and meals available. Out door play facilities, a learning programme through music, and a generally happy environment.

Stephanie - posted on 07/17/2009

Quoting Jill:

Definately look at how often the get to go outside but more importantly I look at flexibility. I travel throughout the county with my job and my husband does not drive. I need to know she will be ok if i'm 10 or 15 minutes late somedays but then again i can be 10 to 15 minutes early somedays. I also want to feel comfortable in the home. I know day care is a business but i want to feel comfortable like i'm dropping her off at a friend's house vs. a complete stranger.

I enjoy that my son gets to go outside too, but at the same time I am appalled by the fact that I see this one daycare taking YOUNG children outside when I as a grown woman am shivering, and need the heat on in the car. COMMON SENSE IS KEY. Some of the kids didn't even have coats on!!!!!

Denise - posted on 07/17/2009

THANK YOU everyone for all the great input

Michelle - posted on 07/17/2009

i always look for a nice homely atmosphere with toys back to basics ie: the old wooden toys do it for me .Nice wholesome food and knowing what my child has actually done all day keeps my mind at rest...The big one for me also is ... CLEANLINESS

Vicki - posted on 07/16/2009

When I did home daycare I filled out a sheet on each child to send home each day. For infants -what ttimes did they eat and how much, log of diaper changes, wet, poopy... any cute things they did. older kids just 1/2 sheet, their favorite thing to eat stories they read, what they played. Helps moms connect and if child care providers dont write it down sometimes its hard to think of something when its busy at the end of the day.

Amber - posted on 07/16/2009

well working at chain daycare in tn i know here a parent lor myself would look for how clean it is, art work on the walls so i know they have been doing sumthin how often do they go outside, what weather conditions prevent them from going out, child staff ratio...ROOM ARANGMENT is almost as big as scehdule and routine because how your rooms are arranged can make or break a parent if it seems too cluttered and crowded or not enough things you have to find a happy medium there. ..there are lots of things but that are some of the more important ones

Jill - posted on 07/16/2009

Definately look at how often the get to go outside but more importantly I look at flexibility. I travel throughout the county with my job and my husband does not drive. I need to know she will be ok if i'm 10 or 15 minutes late somedays but then again i can be 10 to 15 minutes early somedays. I also want to feel comfortable in the home. I know day care is a business but i want to feel comfortable like i'm dropping her off at a friend's house vs. a complete stranger.

Stephanie - posted on 07/16/2009

I like that our daycare has a different theme every week. This week is camping. They put up tents, made smores, read camping book, etc. I think it's cute and gives the kids something new to look forward too.

Also their attendance policy is important to us. We're not at an in home daycare, so I don't know if this applies, but knowing the same people are going to be with the kids every day is comforting to me because I know my son will be more comfortable.

JEANNETTE - posted on 07/16/2009

I USUALLY LOOK FOR CLEANESS, SANTIZED, LOTS OF TOYS AND GAMES, SAFETY SO THAT THE KIDS CAN NOT GET HURT. HONESTY, CARING, LOVING PERSON, HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU OUT. GOOD LUCK

Stacey - posted on 07/16/2009

Clean, nice place to nap and the outside are for play. Good luck. I used an in home day care for both kids and would not have picked anything else.

Lisa - posted on 07/16/2009

Quoting Denise:

What do you look for when choosing a DayCare

I have an In-home Day Care and I am looking to expand. I was just wondering.. what are some of the things parents look for when choosing Child Care. Its always nice to have some additional input

Hi

Just ask yourself do you feel comfortable there. Do the kids there seem happy? Are the staff just talking amongst themselves or do they talk to each other at all? How many kids will be in the room at any one time? Does the room seem big enough to hold that many kids?

The most important things are do you feel your child will be safe, stimulated and happy there?

September - posted on 07/16/2009

Here is a website that you can check out. It has helpful information and it also has a checklist that you can use :) Good luck! www.childcare.net/shoplist.shtml

Jenny - posted on 07/16/2009

clean, clean, clean!! To see that things are sanitized - a schedule posted is a great idea! also, a lot of kid art work on the walls - shows the kids are doind a lot when they are there. Good luck!

Heather - posted on 07/16/2009

different creative activities. Teacher and child ratio, and if children get outside play!