10 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Daycare Provider

Deciding whether to go back to work after having a baby is always a tough decision. And, once you have made the decision, selecting the best daycare situation is even more stressful. Here are a few questions to ask your potential daycare provider to make sure your child will be safe and happy:

What is your staff to child ratio? There are state guidelines but if you are selecting a home daycare, these might not be followed. For infants, the ratio should be no more than four infants to one caretaker.

What is your “drop-in” policy? Not only should the facility allow you to drop in whenever you like, but they should encourage it.

What is your security policy for entering and leaving the facility? Does each family have their own security code to enter the premises? The playground should be completely enclosed by a fence that is at least 5 ft. high and any entrance should be padlocked. If it is a large facility security cameras should be located throughout the building.

What sort of background checks do you run on your employees? Each employee should undergo a complete background check. If it is a home daycare facility find out if any other relatives are living on premises or visiting at any time and be sure they have had complete background checks as well.

Do you insist on “back to sleep” positioning? Over the past decade, the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been reduced by half due to the practice of placing babies on their back to sleep. Be sure this is the only way your daycare facility is allowing your child to sleep.

What is your emergency evacuation plan? Determine where the children will be taken in the event of a fire or natural disaster. Where would you meet your child? Find out if they routinely have fire drills.

Are all of your employees recently CPR and First Aid Certified? It’s important that everyone be re-certified on an annual or bi-annual basis. Also, there is a difference between infant CPR and toddler CPR so be sure that your provider has been trained in both.

Where do you prepare food and change diapers? Ask to see these areas to determine how clean they are and how they dispose of garbage and diapers.

How do they manage a crying baby? Do they believe in allowing the baby to “cry it out” or do they immediately pick her up?

Do you take the children for walks in the stroller around town or to the park? If the children go on outings, inspect the strollers to be sure they are in good working order. Determine how many providers will go with the children and where exactly they go.

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