Questions to Ask Child Care Providers

Tips on Finding the Right Childcare Provider

If you’re the parent of an infant or young child, chances are you will need someone to care for them at some point, whether it’s on a full-time basis or an occasional evening out. Whatever the timeframe, you’ll want to leave your child in good hands and not have to worry about their wellbeing in your absence.

The best place to start is by planning ahead and allowing time to research different options. Finding a caregiver you can trust may take time and you don’t want to be forced into a hasty decision that doesn’t make you feel completely comfortable.

When evaluating the various types of child care options, determine your family’s needs and which type of care best suit your lifestyle. Ask yourself some initial questions:
- What type of care would best suit your child?
- Would your child be more comfortable in a structured program?
- What are your needs in terms of location, hours of operation, and cost?

When interviewing potential candidates, parents should look for someone who really seems to like kids and possesses a genuinely enthusiastic attitude about caring for them.

- How do they greet and interact with your child?
- Do they get down to the child’s eye level when conversing with them and exhibit positive body language?
- What are their child rearing/discipline philosophies?
It’s important to find someone who shares your philosophy of care and ideas about discipline. Parents should make sure the person they choose is a good match with their own beliefs so the child has consistency.
Conducting a thorough background check on anyone caring for children is essential. Feel free to look into their history, inquire about qualifications, and request references. It’s also important to make sure their child care experience matches the age range of your children.

If you decide to take your child outside the home for child care, plan to visit a few places to get an idea of the kind of care your child will receive at each location. Observe the atmosphere of the facility.

- Are the children at the facility happy and relaxed?
- How do they interact with the caregivers?
- Are the toys clean, safe and age appropriate?
- Is the outside area large enough with sturdy playground equipment?
- Are the children protected from strangers?

Other questions to ask if you’re looking into day care centers:
- How long have you been a day care provider?
- What are your qualifications?
- Is your facility or home licensed by the state?
- Can you provide me with at least 3 references?
- Why did you become a daycare provider?
- What has been your staff’s turnover the past year?
- Am I able to drop in at anytime?
- What other adults will be around my child?
- What is the worker/child ratio?
     The American Public Health Association/American Academy of Pediatrics (APHA/AAP) recommends the following ratios:
                                           0-24 months: 3 to 1
                                         24-30 months: 4 to 1
                                         31-35 months: 5 to 1

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