General Questions about the DC: 1. Do you have any openings? 2. How large is the center? (There should be 35 square feet per child in order for each child to have enough room to play comfortably.) 3. Is your facility licensed and/or accredited? (Standards vary by state and area and opinions vary on the importance of being licensed?) 4. What is your turnover rate? 5. What backup care is provided in case of provider illness? 6. Are there restrictions of who may pick up my child? 7. What would I need to supply: diapers, wipes, formula/milk, change of clothing, etc.
Schedules: 1. Are there key holidays or dates that the facility closes? Is this schedule firm or might there be adjustments as needed from time to time? (Some facilities close for all key holidays; others offer care arrangements, but often at an additional charge. A few centers may close during summer months, or for longer periods during winter break periods. Make sure they'll be open when you need care, unless you have other options during those times.) 2. What hours is the center open and are any late night hours available for those who don't work traditional jobs?
Pricing/Fee 3. What do you charge and are there additional fees or supplies I will be required to pay? 4. Is there a reduction in fees if my child is sick or takes vacation? 5. What is the attendance and vacation policy (is credit given for vacations after so many months?)?
Academics/Curriculum 1. What is the curriculum and is it academically focused or play-based? Is it secular or Christian based? 2. Are any special programs or enrichment opportunities available? 3. Do you have a variety of different toys? Toys for both genders? 4. Do you follow a lesson plan? Do you have a sample lesson plan I could see? 5. Do you read during the day? How often will my child be introduced to reading and books? Storytime? 6. What does a typical day look like? Do you have a daily schedule? 7. Do you utilize TV, computers or video games? If so, how often? Is it only age appropriate material?
What is the teacher/student ratio in the classroom your child would be in (don't just get an average of all classes)? How are kids separated (by age? numbers?)?
Is your facility licensed and/or accredited? (Standards vary by state and area and opinions vary on the importance of being licensed?) Why or why not? What type of training has staff received and what is the overall experience level? Are the caregivers trained in child development? What are the hiring procedures? What is the tenure of the staff (feel free to ask about teachers who would be specific to your child's class)? Is there a parents' group or program? 7. Are background checks conducted on all staff members? 8. How long have you been working as a child care provider?
What type of safety features does the facility have in place? Is the bathroom and diaper changing area regular sanitized? How often? How often do the children wash their hands? What is your sick child policy? What is your policy for administering medication? Do you provide healthy meals? Do you participate in the USDA food program? Do you have an emergency/evacuation plan? Do you have regular drills? Does anyone smoke in your home? When and where? Do you have any pets? What's your policy concerning your pets? Is your back yard fenced in? If not, what is your plan to keep the children safe? Is the outdoor play equipment regularly inspected and maintained?
1. What is the staff-to-child ratio in the classroom my kid would be in? Does this ratio change throughout the day or will it always remain at or below this level? (NOTE: Some daycare centers start kids together in a large classroom until all teachers arrive, meaning the ratio is disproportionate for an hour or so. The process may be repeated at the end of the day as well.) 2. How are children organized? (Find out the ages of the other children, ratio of adults to children, and any special room arrangements) 3. Are their field trips or do kids remain in the center at all times (some centers take kids on trips and others' don't and parents seem mixed on their preference)? 4. Do kids play outside and is there outdoor equipment or organized activities? 5. Are their daily or weekly comments or assessments provided to me to keep me informed about what my child is doing? 6. What happens if my child becomes ill or is injured at the center? 7. Do you let kids attend if they're not potty-trained or if they have a runny nose or a cough? 8. What is your discipline policy? How would you handle a disruptive situation or a child being unruly? 9. Are the children supervised at all times? What about nap time? 10. How do you deal with separation anxiety? Is there a trial period? 11. What is your potty training policy?
Communication: 1. Can I visit the daycare anytime during normal hours? 2. Are you open to feedback/suggestions? Will parents be given opportunities to provide feedback? 3. Do you have a parent handbook detailing your policies and procedures? 4. Do you organize conferences? Provide progress reports? How will you provide me information on how my child(ren) are doing? 5. Do you have a newsletter? How do I find out what my child is up to all day?
Infants: 1. How do you handle a crying baby? What if the baby won't stop crying? What techniques would you use to calm an upset infant? 2. Are you informed about SIDS? What policies do you follow to help prevent SIDS? 3. Do the babies get outside time? 4. Where will my infant sleep? 5. Where will my infant eat? Do you hold babies when you feed them? 6. How often will you hold my baby? How often will they be left on their own? Will there be daily tummy time?
RE 只有挑family day care的经验 主要还是靠自己观察 我家宝宝比较独立的，所以送去我比较关心阿姨如何和孩子interact，其他小朋友的状态和举止。我们的阿姨让我满意的是很会引导小朋友们玩，言行很有爱心，也注意教育大一点的小孩子规矩，譬如take turns和share。班上的小朋友都比较有礼貌，相处的也挺融洽。
也希望有经验的妈妈分享下如何选DC。关键重要因素, etc.
[顺便谢谢网上的原作者们］
[此贴子已经被作者于2010/7/12 9:54:42编辑过]
General Questions about the DC:
1. Do you have any openings?
2. How large is the center? (There should be 35 square feet per child in order for each child to have enough room to play comfortably.)
3. Is your facility licensed and/or accredited? (Standards vary by state and area and opinions vary on the importance of being licensed?)
4. What is your turnover rate?
5. What backup care is provided in case of provider illness?
6. Are there restrictions of who may pick up my child?
7. What would I need to supply: diapers, wipes, formula/milk, change of clothing, etc.
Schedules:
1. Are there key holidays or dates that the facility closes? Is this schedule firm or might there be adjustments as needed from time to time? (Some facilities close for all key holidays; others offer care arrangements, but often at an additional charge. A few centers may close during summer months, or for longer periods during winter break periods. Make sure they'll be open when you need care, unless you have other options during those times.)
2. What hours is the center open and are any late night hours available for those who don't work traditional jobs?
Pricing/Fee
3. What do you charge and are there additional fees or supplies I will be required to pay?
4. Is there a reduction in fees if my child is sick or takes vacation?
5. What is the attendance and vacation policy (is credit given for vacations after so many months?)?
Academics/Curriculum
1. What is the curriculum and is it academically focused or play-based? Is it secular or Christian based?
2. Are any special programs or enrichment opportunities available?
3. Do you have a variety of different toys? Toys for both genders?
4. Do you follow a lesson plan? Do you have a sample lesson plan I could see?
5. Do you read during the day? How often will my child be introduced to reading and books? Storytime?
6. What does a typical day look like? Do you have a daily schedule?
7. Do you utilize TV, computers or video games? If so, how often? Is it only age appropriate material?
Student/Teacher Profile
What is the teacher/student ratio in the classroom your child would be in (don't just get an average of all classes)?
How are kids separated (by age? numbers?)?
Staff Qualifications:
Is your facility licensed and/or accredited? (Standards vary by state and area and opinions vary on the importance of being licensed?) Why or why not?
What type of training has staff received and what is the overall experience level?
Are the caregivers trained in child development?
What are the hiring procedures?
What is the tenure of the staff (feel free to ask about teachers who would be specific to your child's class)?
Is there a parents' group or program?
7. Are background checks conducted on all staff members?
8. How long have you been working as a child care provider?
Health/Safety/Sanitation:
What type of safety features does the facility have in place?
Is the bathroom and diaper changing area regular sanitized? How often?
How often do the children wash their hands?
What is your sick child policy?
What is your policy for administering medication?
Do you provide healthy meals? Do you participate in the USDA food program?
Do you have an emergency/evacuation plan? Do you have regular drills?
Does anyone smoke in your home? When and where?
Do you have any pets? What's your policy concerning your pets?
Is your back yard fenced in? If not, what is your plan to keep the children safe?
Is the outdoor play equipment regularly inspected and maintained?
Children’s Daily Lives and Monitoring
1. What is the staff-to-child ratio in the classroom my kid would be in? Does this ratio change throughout the day or will it always remain at or below this level? (NOTE: Some daycare centers start kids together in a large classroom until all teachers arrive, meaning the ratio is disproportionate for an hour or so. The process may be repeated at the end of the day as well.)
2. How are children organized? (Find out the ages of the other children, ratio of adults to children, and any special room arrangements)
3. Are their field trips or do kids remain in the center at all times (some centers take kids on trips and others' don't and parents seem mixed on their preference)?
4. Do kids play outside and is there outdoor equipment or organized activities?
5. Are their daily or weekly comments or assessments provided to me to keep me informed about what my child is doing?
6. What happens if my child becomes ill or is injured at the center?
7. Do you let kids attend if they're not potty-trained or if they have a runny nose or a cough?
8. What is your discipline policy? How would you handle a disruptive situation or a child being unruly?
9. Are the children supervised at all times? What about nap time?
10. How do you deal with separation anxiety? Is there a trial period?
11. What is your potty training policy?
Communication:
1. Can I visit the daycare anytime during normal hours?
2. Are you open to feedback/suggestions? Will parents be given opportunities to provide feedback?
3. Do you have a parent handbook detailing your policies and procedures?
4. Do you organize conferences? Provide progress reports? How will you provide me information on how my child(ren) are doing?
5. Do you have a newsletter? How do I find out what my child is up to all day?
Infants:
1. How do you handle a crying baby? What if the baby won't stop crying? What techniques would you use to calm an upset infant?
2. Are you informed about SIDS? What policies do you follow to help prevent SIDS?
3. Do the babies get outside time?
4. Where will my infant sleep?
5. Where will my infant eat? Do you hold babies when you feed them?
6. How often will you hold my baby? How often will they be left on their own? Will there be daily tummy time?
就我自己的经验呢， 很多问题到时候很难提出来的， 一般你一去， 人家说： 啊， 排队， 你先填表， 然后给你一些材料让你读， 基本的INFO都在上面， 包括价钱， 然后， 给你一个TOUR， TOUR的时候你想着是问问题的好时机吧， 嘿嘿， 人家一堆话等着你呢。 即使你问了问题， 回答的肯定是让你满意的， 真的怎么做恐怕很难提前知道。
还是要多看几家， 要用自己的眼睛， 仔细观察。 我觉得要注意的：
1) 小孩子的多少， 如果小孩子很少， 即使比例很好， 也要注意， 可能就是不好的一家DC。
2） 小孩子都在干什么？ 这个看你自己是关心孩子活动多还是关心孩子身体被照顾的好坏了。 我比较在意孩子被照顾的如何而不是活动， 那我就选择孩子吃饭的时候去， 看看小孩子都怎么吃的， 一般DC吃午饭的时间是11：30; 下午4：00 点以后， 是DC最头疼的时候， 孩子都在这个时候开始FUSSY， 老师也忙了一天了， 你这个时候去看， 能看到比较糟糕的情况， 如果这个时候你觉得还好， 那就不错了。 我们这里是5：30 关门， 不能等到5：00 再去看， 那时， 老师又把小孩子整理的干干净净， 给接的父母有个好印象了。
JUST MY 2 CENTS
这么多问题真的要都问到吗
i don't think so ba... Just pick the questions to your most interst.
整理得真仔细呀。 方方面面的很全了。
就我自己的经验呢， 很多问题到时候很难提出来的， 一般你一去， 人家说： 啊， 排队， 你先填表， 然后给你一些材料让你读， 基本的INFO都在上面， 包括价钱， 然后， 给你一个TOUR， TOUR的时候你想着是问问题的好时机吧， 嘿嘿， 人家一堆话等着你呢。 即使你问了问题， 回答的肯定是让你满意的， 真的怎么做恐怕很难提前知道。
还是要多看几家， 要用自己的眼睛， 仔细观察。 我觉得要注意的：
1) 小孩子的多少， 如果小孩子很少， 即使比例很好， 也要注意， 可能就是不好的一家DC。
2） 小孩子都在干什么？ 这个看你自己是关心孩子活动多还是关心孩子身体被照顾的好坏了。 我比较在意孩子被照顾的如何而不是活动， 那我就选择孩子吃饭的时候去， 看看小孩子都怎么吃的， 一般DC吃午饭的时间是11：30; 下午4：00 点以后， 是DC最头疼的时候， 孩子都在这个时候开始FUSSY， 老师也忙了一天了， 你这个时候去看， 能看到比较糟糕的情况， 如果这个时候你觉得还好， 那就不错了。 我们这里是5：30 关门， 不能等到5：00 再去看， 那时， 老师又把小孩子整理的干干净净， 给接的父母有个好印象了。
JUST MY 2 CENTS
船妈的经验收藏了。THANKS!
整理得真仔细呀。 方方面面的很全了。
就我自己的经验呢， 很多问题到时候很难提出来的， 一般你一去， 人家说： 啊， 排队， 你先填表， 然后给你一些材料让你读， 基本的INFO都在上面， 包括价钱， 然后， 给你一个TOUR， TOUR的时候你想着是问问题的好时机吧， 嘿嘿， 人家一堆话等着你呢。 即使你问了问题， 回答的肯定是让你满意的， 真的怎么做恐怕很难提前知道。
还是要多看几家， 要用自己的眼睛， 仔细观察。 我觉得要注意的：
1) 小孩子的多少， 如果小孩子很少， 即使比例很好， 也要注意， 可能就是不好的一家DC。
2） 小孩子都在干什么？ 这个看你自己是关心孩子活动多还是关心孩子身体被照顾的好坏了。 我比较在意孩子被照顾的如何而不是活动， 那我就选择孩子吃饭的时候去， 看看小孩子都怎么吃的， 一般DC吃午饭的时间是11：30; 下午4：00 点以后， 是DC最头疼的时候， 孩子都在这个时候开始FUSSY， 老师也忙了一天了， 你这个时候去看， 能看到比较糟糕的情况， 如果这个时候你觉得还好， 那就不错了。 我们这里是5：30 关门， 不能等到5：00 再去看， 那时， 老师又把小孩子整理的干干净净， 给接的父母有个好印象了。
JUST MY 2 CENTS
RE 只有挑family day care的经验 主要还是靠自己观察
我家宝宝比较独立的，所以送去我比较关心阿姨如何和孩子interact，其他小朋友的状态和举止。我们的阿姨让我满意的是很会引导小朋友们玩，言行很有爱心，也注意教育大一点的小孩子规矩，譬如take turns和share。班上的小朋友都比较有礼貌，相处的也挺融洽。
生活照顾方面我就粗略问一下吃饭在哪里吃，睡觉怎么睡， 小细节稍微提一下阿姨就会改进。
整理得真仔细呀。 方方面面的很全了。
就我自己的经验呢， 很多问题到时候很难提出来的， 一般你一去， 人家说： 啊， 排队， 你先填表， 然后给你一些材料让你读， 基本的INFO都在上面， 包括价钱， 然后， 给你一个TOUR， TOUR的时候你想着是问问题的好时机吧， 嘿嘿， 人家一堆话等着你呢。 即使你问了问题， 回答的肯定是让你满意的， 真的怎么做恐怕很难提前知道。
还是要多看几家， 要用自己的眼睛， 仔细观察。 我觉得要注意的：
1) 小孩子的多少， 如果小孩子很少， 即使比例很好， 也要注意， 可能就是不好的一家DC。
2） 小孩子都在干什么？ 这个看你自己是关心孩子活动多还是关心孩子身体被照顾的好坏了。 我比较在意孩子被照顾的如何而不是活动， 那我就选择孩子吃饭的时候去， 看看小孩子都怎么吃的， 一般DC吃午饭的时间是11：30; 下午4：00 点以后， 是DC最头疼的时候， 孩子都在这个时候开始FUSSY， 老师也忙了一天了， 你这个时候去看， 能看到比较糟糕的情况， 如果这个时候你觉得还好， 那就不错了。 我们这里是5：30 关门， 不能等到5：00 再去看， 那时， 老师又把小孩子整理的干干净净， 给接的父母有个好印象了。
JUST MY 2 CENTS
re. it's better to visit daycare during lunch time.