What should I be sure to ask at a day care tour?

Ask what kind of activities they have. She may be young, but they can still sing and entertain her. Ask what their educational philosophy is. My daughter learned the ABC song at 18 months, so this will not be a too far away issue. Ask what kinds of menu items they have when she is on solid foods, as well as feedeing schedules.

When i had my oldest, Luna, I only wanted the best for my baby. You know, the whole, "my first born is NOT using a bottle with THAT many chemicals!" sort of thing. When I put her in daycare, there were a few major factors. 1. Is there a good adult-child ratio? for infants it should be maybe 1:3 and toddlers maybe 1:4 or 5. Are the kids getting enough attention? 2. If the place has the snack, lunch ordeal, is there nutritious food? I know Luna's daycare served only milk as a drink, and there was this little boy who's mother had to come in and talk to the workers about giving him water. Make sure that the food is good. 3. Your child is almost two, which means he needs a stimulating, almost preschool like environment. I don't mean where they learn their multiplication tables before they turn 4, but where they might go over the shapes and colours once a day, things like that. 4. Is it a clean facility? Go into the restrooms. Are they disgusting and smelly, or are they shining and Febreeze fresh? Do they clean up lunch immediately, or let it sit to attract flies? 5. Is it a fun place for the children? Are the toys good, do the other children seem nice, do the workers set up activities for them? All important. 6. Is it safe? Are their nails hanging around, no fence on the playground, Sharp knifes left out? If so, find another daycare. Those are things I looked for, but if something you are concerned or confused about, pipe up. Ask anything you see fit. Use your gut feeling.

You want to ask questions but also make note of what you see there. Make sure that there are no kids left unattended. I went to visit a daycare and there was a small baby left in a high chair sleeping with his head just dangling down and there were 3 workers in the room! It made me sick. But then I visited other places that were fabulous. So a big part of it is just observing the environment. Here are some things you can ask:

- Can you drop in for a visit or to observe unannounced? If they say no, you have to wonder why. You don't want a place that only cleans up when they know they will have visitors.

- What is their security like? How do they know who can pick up the child and how do they verify their identity?

- What is there procedure in case of an emergency?

- Are the workers first aid certified?

- Find out the ratio of child to worker in your state and make sure they follow it.

- Do they provide anything? Some will provide diapers, wipes, formula.

- Do they have any infant education programs (i.e. sign language).

- Will they follow your/your baby's schedule or do they have a set schedule.

- Do they have a log of your child's daily activity (sleeping, eating, diaper changes).

- Do they accommodate vacation days? If you are on vacation and baby doesn't go to daycare for a week, you don't want to have to pay. Some will give you a credit.

And just be comfortable with the people and the classrooms. You are going to be leaving your child in their hands and if there is anything you are not comfortable with, you should speak up about it. Good luck!

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Are they licensed? What do the kids do all day? (At her age there shouldn't even BE a tv!)

What security measures do they have for check-in and out? Health policies- no kids with a fever, etc.

I prefer that they have a nice routine every day- a set time for snacks and quiet time. Ask about that, because routine is so important for kids.

Oh, and their late pickup policy. Some of them really ding you if you get held up.

Ask to observe a few minutes.

When you drop her off, get there early and stay a while and engage her in something, an activity or new toy. Don't sneak out, but just say 'bye and have fun real fast and get out!

Don't feel guilty. As long as you provide plenty of quality time with your daughter when you ARE available, she's getting the beat of both worlds- a big group of friends to play with and fun activities during the day, plus a relaxed (hopefully) and attentive father at the end of the day!

One of the most important factors that you'll need to assess is how often that child care center's office will call you to take off from work to pick up your child who has nothing more than the sniffles.

This was one of the things that really placed my employment in jeapordy time and again.

Just because my kids had the simple sniffles, I would get a phone call and my supervisor would threaten my job.

Problem is that if you don't pick up your child from day care when you get the call, you are held liable and they will sometimes, in rare instances, "expel" your child. I've seen this happen.

So, read the contract before you sign it.

There are others, but as a single mother, this was a HUGE deal.

Good luck.

Ask for references of other parents that take their kids their, make sure some are around the same age as yours. Check on feeding/snack times, nap times, see if they have a schedule they can give you. Their times for drop off & pick up. If you need to, can someone else pick up your daughter if you are running late from work. How much are you charged if you are late? If there is a minimum amount/week she needs to be there. When she can't be in daycare, if sick what there policies are. (a cold vs high fever etc..)

One major thing i would do is after your scheduled day, see if they have an open door policy for parents to come & visit if you wish. Usually, yes is what you want to hear vs no makes you 2nd guess what goes on when you aren't there.

I did home daycare for 5 yrs & parents were always welcomed to stop in, come early & visit. I just gave them a heads up if we had a day at park, library etc.. and would not be there at certain times.

good luck, I know it's scary. I have been in daycare & had daycare. If something doesn't feel right, then go with your gut feeling. 9 x's out of 10 it is telling you something.

1. Emergency Exits ..and evacuation plans .

2. Their sanitary grade rating by the local health department .

3. Their liscense from youre state .

4. Their disciplinary procedures .

5. Ask to see and discuss incident reports such as accidents ect.

6. Security questions regarding surveilance , locks on the doors , Back ground checks for staff ..If you can afford to or find a website free that offers sex registry listings and other criminal listings and check that with the staff.. First get a list of the staffs first and last names ..

7. Ask about mold which is often a big problem.

8. Ask about how children are seperated in regard to age groups this is for the safety of the child.

9. Ask about staff hygeine such as do they wash their hands before any meal preparation or are they required to wash their hands on comming to work ..

10.Ask to sit in on a typical day there if the reaction is pure relunctance then dont trust them they should have nothing to hide .

I would ask child/teacher ratio and also how many children they have enrolled at one time right now.

ask about schedules and nap times and feeding times and diaper changes (how often).

As about their discipline policy (even though she is a baby now she will get older and at some point require discipline).

Ask them about their turn around (how long have employees been there or if people quit and they get new people often) You want someplace that doesn't have much turn around where the same employees have been there for a longer amount of time.

Ask about their sick policy if your child is sick and vacation policy etc..

ask if they bring the children outside often

ask about security and if they have something in place where the doors are locked and people get buzzed in or if anyone can just walk in.

I would also find out the laws in your state regarding teacher/child ratio and child/space ratio and make sure they are following the laws.

ask them the teacher to children ratio. like how many kids one person watches at a time to make sure your daughter is getting the attention she will need.Look at the other babies while you are there. See if their faces and hands are clean and see if you can notice if they have 10 pounds of doodie in their diapers. My niece went to a daycare that never seemed to change her. Every time we picked her up, she had a face full of food and a FULL diaper. You may not be able to know that til after you actually send her there though. So my sis ended up having to change daycares.

Make sure you get references. Once you get the references, make sure that you call them. See if they are on a daily routine. When I pick my son up from the babysitters she gives me a sheet that has:

when he went to the bathroom------#1 or #2 and the times

what he ate, how much and when

how he felt today

when and how long he napped

if they took any field trips

if he needs an items: wipes, cereal, food diapers

That really helps out. I hope this helps, I think that its a start.

Good luck!

More:

do you pay if she is not there?

what holidays are they not open?

make sure only a certain person can pick her up?

any accidents? lice? illnesses?

How many daycare providers per child?