Selecting Child Care
Links to sections on this page:
- Telephone Interviews of Child Care Providers
- Face-to-Face Interviews of Child Care Providers
- Checking Provider References
Click here to view a PDF version of the Choosing Child Care: Parent Toolkit.
Telephone Interviews of Child Care Providers
Here are some questions to ask over the phone:
- Is there an opening at the time I will need child care?
- Is there a waiting list for care in the future?
- How many children do you care for?
- What are their ages (including the provider’s own children)?
Licensed programs must stay within state rules for the number of children in care at any one time, based on the child’s age, adult/child ratios, and space available. - What experience do you have in providing child care?
- What hours/days are you open? Can you be flexible?
- Do you provide transportation? To which schools/activities?
Is there an additional fee?- Is your program smoke-free 24-hours-a-day?
- Are there any pets in the program?
- What meals and snacks are provided?
- Are they included in your fee?
- What are your rates?
- What is the payment policy for holidays, vacation and sick days?
- When is a good time to visit your program and arrange an interview?
Schedule a time when you would have an opportunity for uninterrupted conversation. Visit again when the children are present.
Face-to-Face Interviews of Child Care Providers
Click here to view a PDF version of the Choosing Child Care: Parent Toolkit. It includes the Face-to-Face Interviews with Child Care Providers and Programs: What to Look for and Ask About worksheet.
Health and Safety
- What are your emergency procedures? Are they posted? Do you have practice evacuaton drills? How would I be notified in case of a emergency?
- Are child taken off the premises? How and when would I be notified? How are children transported?
- What is your policy for administering medication?
- Are hands always washed before eating and after diapering? (Do you see hands being washed?)
- Where and how frequently will my baby's diapers be changed?
- What precautions are taken to reduce the spread of illness? What do you use to sanitize?
Space and the Environment
- Based on your observation, is the space clean, safe and comfortable?
- Where will the children sleep, play and eat? Are babies always put to sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface in a crib or playpen?
- How are children supervised at all times?
- How often are children taken outdoors?
Activities and Materials
- Describe a typical day in your program. What activities are children involved in?
- Are there areas for quiet play as well as active play?
- Are items displayed at the child's level so the child can easily choose toys and materials to play with? How do you decide which toys are appropriate?
- Can children bring a special item from home, such as a toy or blanket?
- How often do you read with the children?
- Tell me how you plan activities to promote my childÍs development.
- How much screen time (TV, computer, video games) is typical?
Interactions
- Observe how the caregiver responds to the children.
- What is your policy on guidance and discipline?
- What are the rules and how do the children know them?
- How do you settle disputes?
- What are your feelings on wetting, thumb-sucking, pacifiers, finishing meals, biting, etc?
- Ask "What if..." questions. (What if my child hits you? What if my child bites another child? What if my child won't take his nap?)
Training and Experience
- Tell me about your experiences caring for children. Do you have a philosophy on child-rearing?
- How many hours of training have you had? Get specific information on the caregivers who will be with your child.
- Tell me what you've learned in recent workshops. How will you keep me updated on your training?
- How long do you anticipate providing child care?
Security
- Can I drop in any time unannounced?
- Who are all the people who would be around my child? Are they screened? May I meet them?
- Is your license posted? Would I be informed if you were out of compliance?
- Can you provide me with contact information for references?
- After the interview, contact the county social services to find out if the provider has been in compliance with the rules.
Program Mangement
- Please explain your written policies and contract.
- How will we build effective communication? How would we settle disputes?
- How would any disputes between us be settled?
- Are parents encouraged to become involved with the program? How?
Checking Provider References
Introduce yourself: "My name is ____________________. I am considering ____(PROVIDER'S NAME)____ for my child care. ____(PROVIDER'S NAME)____ gave me your name as a reference. Would you be willing to answer a few questions?"
Here are some questions to ask:
- How would you describe the care provided to your child?
- What concerns, if any, did you have about the provider?
- Did the provider listen to your concerns?
- Would you recommend this child care program?
Be sure to ask about any specific areas of concern.
The Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network is a member of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and is funded in part by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. |
To connect to your local Resource and Referral agency: 1-888-291-9811 Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network Email: info@mnchildcare.org © 2008 Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network
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