Questions to Ask at a Daycare Center

by Contributing Writer

Overview

Choosing the right type of daycare center for your child can be overwhelming. In order to narrow down the possibilities, plan a day to visit potential daycare centers. Visiting a daycare center gives you a chance to observe the childcare providers and make sure they are treating children with patience and respect while meeting their emotional, physical and developmental needs. It is also an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. When you're thinking about entrusting the care of your child to a daycare center, there is no such thing as asking too many questions.
Questions about the Facility

Before you visit a daycare facility, find out whether the state you live in requires daycare facilities to be licensed. You can find out on the website of the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (see Resources). If your state does require licensing, ask potential daycare centers if you can see the certificate. If the facility refuses to show you their credentials, go elsewhere. Ask whether the daycare center submits to regular health and safety checks by state officials. Ask the caregivers how many fire alarms the facility has and when they were last tested. Make sure the daycare center conducts regular fire drills.

Questions about the Staff

Inquire about child-to-staff ratio. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the ratio of infants (from birth to 12 months) to caregivers should be no more than 3 to 1. Find out if the daycare's caregivers have received formal training in childcare and ask about their number of years of experience. Make sure that all staff members know infant and child CPR. Also ask if the caregivers were given criminal background checks. Finally, ask what the staff turnover rate is. If the daycare center goes through a lot of employees, this may indicate a problem within the organization. Also, your child may become upset if there are frequent changes in caregivers.
Other Questions

In addition to keeping your child safe, it is also important that daycare centers provide your child with developmentally appropriate activities that stimulate their intellectual and social growth. Ask potential daycare centers what types of activities are available to children. Children should be sung to, read to and allowed ample time to explore and play.