As a daycare owner, it is important to know what families look for when selecting a family daycare or daycare center. Your knowledge of selection criteria can help you improve your daycare. Our interview with Ann Douglas details exactly parents look for when they are selecting daycare. This information is important for both daycare providers and parents who seek daycare.
Here is part 2 of Ann Douglas’ Child Care Checklist:
Questions about staff training
Have all of the members of the staff had appropriate training in early childhood education?
Have staff members had training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), infant CPR, and first aid?
Are staff members responsible for caring for the same children on an ongoing basis, to ensure continuity of care?
Do staff members demonstrate a genuine love of children? How do they relate to the children in their care?
Do staff members appear to be capable of caring for the number and ages of children in their care?
Will any non-staff members have contact with your child (e.g. students, volunteers, etc.)? Have background checks been conducted on these individuals?
Questions about the program and center policies
What are the center’s behavior management policies?
What are the center’s policies for handling accidents and other serious occurrences?
What are the center’s policies regarding the administration of medications?
What are the center’s policies re: caring for sick children?
Does the center have a policy of only releasing children to people whom the parents have authorized, in writing, to pick them up?
How is the day structured?
Are children given a choice of age-appropriate activities?
Do children at the center appear to be secure and comfortable at the center?
Is the childcare environment (both indoors and outdoors) safe and well-maintained?
Is the facility well-ventilated, well-lit, and kept at a comfortable temperature?
Is there enough open space to allow children to move around and explore their surroundings?
Are the meals varied, nutritious, and age-appropriate?
How often are diapers changed?
Are parents encouraged to drop by the center at any time?
Are parents recognized as experts when it comes to the needs of their own children?
What policies does the center have in place to encourage ongoing communication between parents and caregivers?
How does your child react to the center?
Are other parents who use the center enthusiastic about the quality of care their children are receiving?
Ann Douglas is the author of 28 books, including The Mother of All Pregnancy Books, The Mother of All Baby Books, The Mother of All Toddler Books and The Mother of All Parenting Books. Latest books are Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler and Mealtime Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler.
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