How to pick a daycare?

Question

I'm going to need to start daycare with my little one at 12 weeks.

How do you pick a daycare? I have a few tours lined up, but are there specific questions to ask? Is there something specific I should be on the lookout for?

Any advice would be much appreciated by this first time mom😊

Answer

I would go on Facebook and ask for recommendations. Also ask the schedule of the facility and what all is provided. Ask for a tour and not just of the infant room of the whole thing to get a sense of everything. If it feels off then consider different ones. Look around at the children there, do they generally seem happy? I work at a daycare and that's what I would be looking for. The kids in my class love being here which is always a great sign to the parent and teacher that it's the right place for them.

Answer

One major thing,  is will the administer meds if needed,  example tylonel when teething or the last days of antibiotics when baby is no longer contagious and can go back to day care, or would u have to leave work to do it.

Answer

There should only be 4 infants per 1 teacher. Ask what the turnaround for teachers are. You don't want your baby with a new teacher every week. They should have there annual inspections posted so you can view them. Look for the obvious things, cleanliness! I work in a daycare and am currently 17 weeks pregnant. Most importantly, go with your gut! If something doesn't feel right it probabaly isn't! Trust your momma instincts ❤️ good luck!

Answer

Look at reviews,  ask how many are on staff for the number of children.  If their facility smells,  they might not clean well enough.  Ask about their employees training.  You can ask pretty much anything.

Answer

I work at a daycare. I would recommend.?
1. Making sure they have cameras and they are working. 
2. Ratio adults to children 
3. Do a background check on the daycare 
4. Just make sure the class-beds-diaper area-sink-refrigerator looks clean. Your instinct will let you know

Answer

A facility where they have active cameras in each room.

Answer

1.) ask for a schedule of days that they are closed.
2.) what school system do they follow during inclement weather (snow, floods, etc.) 
3.) how many meals a day are provided. My daycare provides breakfast, lunch, snack and one more snack before children leave. 
4.) Do they allow their staff ratios to change during nap time
5.) are they a religious daycare? (important to some parents)
6.) how will the schedule change during the summer
7.) what is their sick child policy
8.) if my child isn't feeling well, when will you call? Only if they get a fever or once you notice they're becoming ill?
9.) what are your fire escape/intruder escape plans?
10.) in case of emergency and the children cannot stay at the daycare, where will they be transfered to?

I hope this helps!!

Answer

1) do they all have their own crib (some share and then share slobber as well)
2) how often do they wipe down toys (if a baby is slobbering on a toy, do they wipe it down when done or at the end of the day after multiple babies have played with the same toy)
3) how they do diaper changes (I toured a place that didn't wipe the table down or wash their hands between changes and then prepared food for another child, basically spreading one babies feces to another babies food)
4) ratio of staff to baby (should be state wide rule)
5) locks on the doors or code to enter so a stranger can't just walk in

Answer

Ask about minimum credentials for staff and about corrections/discipline techniques. Make sure the staff are trained to understand child development and aren't just glorified babysitters.

Answer

Worked in daycare and what these ladies are stating is key. Please look for those things. I'm currently on the search and I saw a daycare during nap time the teacher was not in the infant room but roaming the halls and they just had a camera pointing into the rooms which the camera feed was in the office...I was with the director by the way who wasn't in the office and no one else was "monitoring". None of that was acceptable in my book. She thought I was going to go ahead and sign the paperwork. Little did she know I reported them as I left.

How to pick a daycare?

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey