7 Questions to Ask when Choosing
an Infant Child Care Provider
The decision to place your child in an infant child care program is a difficult one. You want to make certain the provider you choose will provide positive experiences for your loved one. So, how can you know if the daycare you choose is the best fit for your child? Here are a few questions you should ask when choosing an infant child care provider.
1. Are the children always supervised, even during nap time? This is an especially important question to ask if you're dropping an infant off. Your infant's health can change in the blink of an eye. He or she is being exposed to other children and various germs, so it's very important to make certain the infant child care provider is always supervising your child.
2. Are caregivers trained in infant CPR and emergency care? Again, your infant's health can change quickly so you want to know the staff at the daycare is capable of handling any emergencies that might arise. Make sure they always have caregivers on hand who are specially trained in infant CPR and emergency care.
3. What sanitary practices do you follow? With so many kids around, daycares can be a breeding ground for germs and illnesses. You want to make sure the daycare facilities you choose use proper sanitary practices to limit the transmission of these germs. Ask about their diaper changing practices and general cleaning routines.
4. What qualifications does the director of the infant child care have? How long has the director of child care worked in this field? Does he or she have at least a bachelor's degree in child care? Simply put, the daycare you choose needs to be run by someone who is an expert…someone who knows what your child needs to develop properly.
5. What's the caregiver to child ratio? Avoid daycares that have too many children and too few caregivers. A good balance of caregivers and children will ensure your infant gets the special attention they need.
6. What are the fees? While you should never be just a “price shopper” when looking for infant child care facilities, the simple truth is you do have a budget to consider. You want to be certain you can afford the place you choose so that you don't have to pull your kid out and take him to another new, unfamiliar facility later on.
7. Does the child care provider have references? There's no better way to gauge a child care provider's credentials than to speak with their current and former clients. When you speak to these references ask them about both the positive and negative experiences they've had at the daycare. Screen the child care provider by presenting the address or license number of the licensed home daycare or day care center to your local office of the Department of Social Services.
8. Choose Your Infant Child Care Today!
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