This is only a very basic list of questions. YOU will probably have more to ask about your child’s potential child care arrangements.
Licensed child care facilities are businesses and should have important information available for you.
Important Questions to ask child care providers:
- Provider Name:
- Phone:
- May I see your current license?
- Facility number is:
- Do you carry liability insurance?
- If not, do you have the required waiver forms signed by current clients?
- How many children do you care for at any one time? How old are they?
- Do you care for additional school-age children?
- May I see your current disaster plan?
- Please explain how emergencies and disasters will be handled.
- Do you have, and may I see, your child care business contract?
If there is no written contract, make sure to ask the following questions:
- What are your days and hours of operation?
- What are your fees for basic services?
- Is there an extra charge for picking up children late from child care?
- Are there other fees for any additional services?
- What help or back up assistance is available to you in case you are ill or has an emergency during scheduled care hours?
- How does caregiver determine if a child is too sick to come, or stay, in child care?
- What are the arrangements for sick children?
- Are children in your care transported by vehicle?
If answer is yes:- Does provider have current and adequate car insurance coverage?
- Do I need to leave my car seat for use by my child during care?
- Are all transported children properly restrained in car safety seats/boosters?
- Are children ever left in your vehicle unattended? To do so is illegal.
How much does the child care provider know about caring for children? How safe is the environment? Critical Questions to ask Providers
- Have you had special training or taken any classes on child development, nutrition, health and safety or working with children who have special needs?
- Do you have a current CPR certificate?
- Do you have a current First Aid certificate?
- Do you participate in the Food Program?
- Can you accommodate special diets?
- Do parents supply any food?
Look around the area.- Are all areas where children have access safe and clean?
- Are stairs gated, all medications and dangerous/poisonous materials locked up, electrical outlets plugged for safety, standing pools of water inaccessible?
- Are play clear of sharp corners or objects and low glass windows?
- Are floors, toys, bedding, etc. clean?
- Are all play areas kept free of pet dirt?
- Are there working smoke detectors installed properly?
- Is there a fully charged fire extinguisher on site and accessible to care giver?
In addition to asking questions about costs and safety issues, it is equally important to observe how the caregiver interacts with the children she/he cares for and how children spend their time in care.
- Does the caregiver respond to all the children in a positive and warm way?
- Does the environment look inviting and appropriate for children?
- Do the children appear to be happy and busy?
- Are children talked to respectfully and their basic needs attended to quickly?
- Are infants and toddlers allowed to explore and play outside of a crib or playpen?
- Are there activities, books and toys appropriate for the ages and developmental stages of all the children present?
- Are there activities that help children develop good social skills?
- In addition, is there room or are there arrangements for active play?
- Does the caregiver encourage unannounced parent visits and parent participation in activities?
- Does the caregiver provide both scheduled activities and time for free play?
- How much TV/video viewing is allowed?
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