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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Questions to Ask About Infant/Toddler Family Day Care
Ask Your Prospective Caregiver:
- Can you tell me more about your background and
experience?
- What are some reasons you enjoy taking care of children?
- Do you have children of your own?
- How will my child be transported if you leave the house?
- What are your expectations regarding length of
commitment?
- Do you smoke?
- Do you have any health problems?
- Have you had training in first aid?
- What kinds of activities might you plan for my child?
- What are your views on discipline? Meals? Television?
Playmates? Other?
- What would you do if . . . ? (Give examples relevant to
your situation: medical and personal emergencies, common
problems with child.)
- Can you give me several references, preferably from
former employers?
- What questions do you have for me?
- May I have a tour of your home?
Ask Yourself:
- How do I feel about this person's answers to my
questions?
- What do this person's manner and appearance tell me?
- How does this person interact with my child?
- What do my instincts tell me?
General Day-Care Questions:
- Is the family day care home licensed?
- Is the licensing permit current?
- What are the payments? When are they due?
- Are there extra charges for such things as meals or
transportation?
- Are fees reduced if more than one child enrolls?
- Are deductions offered for periods of absence?
- Is financial assistance available?
- Is the home convenient?
- When is it open?
- What are admission requirements?
- Do the children seem happy, busy, and relaxed?
- What is the caregiver-to-child ratio? Federal guidelines
for family day care homes suggest 1:5 for children under
2 years (3 children or less is better); 1:6 for children
aged 2 to 6.
- How long does the caregiver plan to care for children?
Facility:
Does the home have:
- child-sized furniture?
- a cheerful, colorful atmosphere?
- ample toys and art materials?
- happy, "constructive" sounds?
- plenty of indoor and outdoor space?
- special areas for quiet and active play?
Caregiver:
Does the caregiver:
- genuinely seem to enjoy cuddling, holding, and talking to
my baby?
- welcome my questions and suggestions?
- share my childrearing philosophy?
- take time to share my child's experiences with me?
- seem to enjoy children?
- remain gentle, yet firm? consistent, yet flexible?
- sensitively handle feelings of fear, shyness, upset, and
anger?
- respect each child's unique background and interests?
- guide rather than direct behavior?
- really listen and talk to the children?
- seem cheerful, affectionate, and warm?
- have training and experience in early child education?
- kneel or sit at child's eye level?
- spend individual time with each child?
- actively play with children, indoors and out?
- emphasize children's strengths and accomplishments?
- cultivate children's natural curiosity?
- handle discipline positively?
- establish and consistently maintain limits?
- have a sense of humor and acceptance?
- seem to be able to give all children quality attention
and supervision?
- provide consistent care so my child has a stable,
predictable daily routine?
Program:
Do the planned activities help children develop physically
by:
- balancing active, physical activities with quiet, restful
ones?
- providing ample rest and nap times?
- prohibiting play that could quickly get out of hand?
Do the planned activities help children develop emotionally
by:
- encouraging children to express themselves?
- patiently encouraging toddlers to solve some problems on
their own?
- providing ample opportunities for children to feel good
about themselves?
- helping children deal with feelings constructively?
- providing security through a well-defined, predictable
schedule of daily activities?
Do the planned activities help children develop creatively
and intellectually by:
- balancing structured and unstructured activities?
- designing graduated goals for each child?
- encouraging language development?
Health and Safety:
- What is the procedure for medical emergencies?
- What are the policies regarding illness? (e.g., Are
parents contacted if another child has a contagious
disease? Does caregiver have someone to substitute in
case she gets sick?)
- Are medical records maintained?
- Is the caregiver trained in first aid?
- Does the home have smoke detectors and fire
extinguishers? Regular fire drills? Alternate exits?
- Are important phone numbers posted near the phone?
(Examples include police, fire, poison control center,
hospital, children's physician, ambulance.)
- Does your caregiver always know how to get in touch with
both parents?
- Does your child receive constant supervision, indoors and
out? (Young children should never be left unattended
while on a bed, chair, changing table, high chair,
stroller, baby walker, baby swing, or in the water;
outdoor dangers include swimming pool, pond, garage
tools, driveway, streets, kidnapping, wandering off.)
- Is your baby checked often when in a crib or playpen?
- Is all baby equipment strong, stable, and in good repair?
- Is the crib latched?
- Are the crib slats no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart?
Does the crib have protective bumper pads?
- Does the mattress firmly abut the side of the crib?
- Does the home have separate cribs and crib sheets for
each infant?
- Is the crib mattress covered with heavy plastic?
- Do strollers or infant seats have safety harnesses?
- Are the crib and playpen free of toys that could be used
to climb out?
- Can all doors be opened from the outside at all times?
- Are the doors and windows locked?
- Do strong screens or metal bars cover the windows?
(especially important above ground level)
- Do all glass doors have decals?
- Are the rooms well ventilated and comfortable year-round?
- Are the bathroom facilities clean and easily accessible
to children?
- Are latched safety gates placed at the top and/or bottom
of stairways?
- Are stairways and walkways free from clutter?
- Are floors free from spills, slippery surfaces, or small
throw rugs?
- Are small, sharp, or otherwise dangerous items out of
reach or locked in a cupboard, drawer, or cabinet?
(Examples include pins, thumbtacks, paper clips, matches,
lighters, knives, plastic bags, scissors, guns, razor
blades, glassware, working appliances.)
- Are poisonous items stored out of reach or locked in
cupboards, drawers, or cabinets? (Examples include
cleaning products, polish, bleach, medicines, cosmetics,
perfumes, aerosol cans, first aid supplies.)
- Are the home and yard free from poisonous plants?
- Are all foods or drinks within reach safe for your child?
(Examples of dangerous foods or beverages: any food that
a child could choke on like popcorn or hard candy;
beverages that are hot or alcoholic.)
- Are hot radiators covered?
- Is your child kept away from dangerous places like the
stove or hot water faucets?
- Have furniture and other household objects with sharp
corners been padded or removed?
- Do all electrical sockets have protective covers?
- Has attention been paid to objects that could be pulled
or knocked over? (Examples include tablecloths,
electrical cords, lamps, furniture.)
- Is your child safe around pets?
- Are pet dishes out of reach?
- Are toys safe, clean, and in good repair?
- Are play surfaces, indoors and out, softened with
carpeting or wood chips?
- Do children get a daily dose of fresh air and sunshine,
weather permitting?
- Do children seem safe with one another?
- Is the outdoor area fenced and free of hazards?
- Is the play equipment safe and appropriate for my child's
level of development?
Meals:
- Is my caregiver knowledgeable about my baby's food
requirements and feeding schedule?
- Are snacks and meals tasty, attractive, and well
balanced?
- Are special diets and ethnic preferences given
consideration?
- Is food served in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere?
- Does the caregiver serve food I want my child to eat?
- Are children allowed to leave food on their plates? (They
should never be forced to eat.)
- Are portions small and second helpings available?
- Is the kitchen clean?
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