Checklist: Choosing a Child-Care Provider

Questions to Ask Child-Care Providers Initial Screening Questions You Might Ask by Telephone Are you licensed and accredited?YesNo What age groups do you care for? What is the teacher-to-child ratio? Do you provide transportation?YesNo How do you handle late pickups? What is your holiday/vacation schedule? Do you provide meals?YesNo How about snacks?YesNo What do you charge? Are there additional fees?YesNo Do you offer financial aid?YesNo Further Questions You Might Ask while Visiting the Facility May I have a list of parents (references) I can contact regarding your care?YesNo About the Staff What training and education has the staff had? Are all caregivers trained in CPR and first aid?YesNo What is your staff turnover rate? Do you have substitute caregivers?YesNo Do you perform background checks on caregivers?YesNo About Safety and Housekeeping Are children supervised at all times?YesNo How is access to children monitored? How do you handle an emergency? Do you have routine fire drills?YesNo Are all hazardous materials safely and securely stored? YesNo Where is food prepared and served? How are these areas cleaned routinely? Are diaper changing procedures sanitary?YesNo Are diaper changing areas cleaned and disinfected routinely?YesNo Are toys cleaned and disinfected routinely?YesNo Do you require all staff and children to have up-to-date immunizations?YesNo Where do the children nap? Do you put infants on their backs to sleep?YesNo About Care Can I stop in any time to visit my child?YesNo How often do you change diapers? How do you assist with toilet training? How do you deal with separation anxiety? How do you discipline the children? How do you handle sick children? Could you explain your policies for when children can return after being ill? Do you have an outside play area?YesNo How often do the children play outdoors? What activities do you have for the children? Do you provide routine (formal or informal) progress reports and updates to parents?YesNo Observations to Make while Visiting the Facility Do the children seem happy?YesNo Are the caregivers caring, encouraging, pleasant and approachable?YesNo Are the children getting individual attention?YesNo Is the facility clean, safe and organized? YesNo Is the center bright and cheerful?YesNo Is there a variety of entertainment options? YesNo How do you keep the outside play area safe, secure and clean? Are there age-appropriate toys?YesNo Questions to Ask Parents Who Have Used the Facility Is/was the caregiver reliable?YesNo Does/did your child seem to like to go to this day care facility?YesNo How does/did the caregiver interact with you? How does/did the caregiver discipline your child? If/when you reported a problem or complaint to the caregiver, was he or she receptive?YesNo Would you recommend the caregiver?YesNo Why or why not? Questions to Ask Childcare Resource and Referral Program or Licensing Office What are the requirements a child-care provider must meet? Are there any complaints about this child-care provider or this facility on record? YesNo What is/are the complaints? Questions to Ask Yourself in Making Your Final Decision Does the childcare provider fit my time and financial constraints?YesNo Will my child be happy with this caregiver and facility?YesNo Can the caregiver address the individual needs of my child?YesNo Does the caregiver have values similar to my own?YesNo Am I comfortable with my final decision?YesNo

Last updated February 14, 2012

Printer-friendly format