Parents - What to look for in a Day Care (Providers take note!!)

 I also appreciate the difficulties facing parents today re childcare. Issues regarding costs and standards are a nightmare (I have heard some horror stories from parents moving from other day cares). So, how do you asess a day care? Research, research, research.

Costwise try to target smaller, maybe family run day cares who don't have huge overheads in terms of rents/leases etc thus can keep their costs down (we are fortunate in that we own our building and can reflect those savings in what we charge our parents).

Sit down and have a list of questions for prospective day cares.

Have a list of things you expect to see (or not).

Visit the day care at least a couple of times before deciding, at different times of the day and do one unannounced call.

Observe how staff interact with children, do children seem happy and occupied.

Does the facility appear hygienic (espcially toilets and diaper changing areas).

 
Do staff appear interested in what they are doing or bored and standing around chatting? Are they watching the children at all times?

In my experience a range of different ages and experience in staff works really well. Ask how long staff have been working at the day care - there will always be an element of turnover in childcare but there should be a core group of staff who have been there for a number of years.

Ask about staff breaks - an overworked staff member is not someone you want caring for your child.

Check out the policies and procedures - the policies should be available and should clearly answer any questions you have about day to day operations.

Try to talk to the staff themselves and ask them how they would deal with a particular situation - then you'll know if policies are adhered to and 'for real'.

I could go on, in short, probe, question, research, probe - any day care worth it's salt won't have a problem with your questions and should welcome a chance to discuss their well run facility.

Go armed with as much knowledge as possible and not too much will get past you.

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