Home Page How do you choose the right daycare? Below are some important questions to ask your prospective daycare, as well as yourself. Be sure to interview more than one provider, and evaluate the pros and cons of a center vs. a home daycare. This is an important decision for you and your child, make sure that it is the right one! Why NOT an UNLICENSED Home? UNLICENSED CHILD CARE (care for children from more than one (1) family) is ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF COLORADO (per Article 7.701.B,State Department Of Human Services). A person may care for a child/ren from ONE FAMILY only without being licensed. If there are children from more than one family in care at an unlicensed home THE PROVIDER IS RUNNING AN ILLEGAL OPERATION. With the increased awareness of the public concerning quality child care, more and more reports of unlicensed care are being reported. Upon a visit from HUMAN SERVICES, the unlicensed provider could be fined, along with the order to cease and desist child care THAT DAY. This offers a potentially unstable environment for your child and an unstable situation for you! Questions to consider during a search for child care: The first list of questions are ones you should consider asking as these questions do have a correct answer. The second list of questions are points for you to consider if they cover IMPORTANT ISSUES for you. You need to determine the right or wrong answers as they apply to your individual situation. These lists, by NO means, are complete but may offer you a starting point to help you have a successful search for a LICENSED CHILD CARE HOME for your child/ren and yourself. LIST #1: 1. Are you licensed? May I see your license? All in-home child care providers are required to post their license in a prominent location for all to view. This is to show that the providers home has been inspected for safety and the provider has met the required guidelines. 2. Do you have a current Child-Infant CPR/First Aid Certificate? This is a requirement. All licensed providers must take the renewal training every 2 years. 3. Do you have any child care training? Are you continuing your education? A 12 hour pre-licensing class is required to become licensed, and on-going training is required. 4. Are you planning to stay in Child Care long term? Children need a stable environment and a stable provider they can bond with. 5. Do you have child protective gates? A fenced play area? All these are licensing requirements. 6. Do you have separate linens for sleeping? Do you have separate towels or disposable towels for hand and face washing? These are to protect your child, and are also licensing requirements. 7. Do you have a designated sick room? What do you do if my child/ren become ill? This is to protect your child from spread of disease. 8. Do you have emergency numbers posted in handy locations? Also a licensing requirement. 9. Does each area of your home, which is used for child care, have two(2) exits in case of fire? Do you practice FIRE DRILLS? This is a licensing requirement and is a good idea, to enable you, and most importantly your child/ren to know how to exit the home in case of fire. 10. Do you have FIREARMS and are they locked away from the children? A licensing requirement and GOOD COMMON SENSE! 11. Do you have a fireplace/wood stove? Do you use it during child care hours? A fireplace/wood stove may be used ONLY if it is surrounded by a safe fence of some sort. The following questions are merely guidelines which you may or may not choose to consider. Some of these questions may be used during your telephone interview and may help you determine if you wish to pursue the further interviewing of a particular provider. LIST #2: 1. Do you smoke? (smoking inside is NOT allowed during day care hours) 2. Do you transport children? Will my child/ren ever be in your vehicle? Do you have car seats available or do we have to supply one? Do you transport to school, which ones? 3. Do you have pets? What kind? Are they vaccinated? 4. How long have you been licensed? How many children are presently in your care? How long have these children in your care been with you? 5. How do you handle discipline? (we are NOT allowed by Human Services regulations, to ever strike any child!) 6. May I visit anytime, UNANNOUNCED? 7. Do you have a contract? House rules? Parent Policies? 8. What kind of arrangements do you have in case you are unable to provide care? 9. Have you ever had a validated complaint with Human Services? 10. Do you have insurance? (both for your daycare and vehicle) 11. What are your hours? 12. What are your fees and required payment schedule? 13. Do you ever leave the children in someone else's care? 14. May I have references? May I contact someone who is no longer in your care? 15. What meals do you serve? May I see a menu? Do you participate in a USDA Child Care Food Program? 16. Do you have a daily schedule? Do the children watch television? What types of programming do they watch? 17. Do you have a preschool program? 18. Do you celebrate any Holidays? Which ones and how? Which are you closed for? 19. Are you a member of a child care association and or support group? 20. Do you have children of your own? Does your family assist you with the daycare? 21. Why did you choose child care as your profession? 22. What do you feel is your strongest point as a licensed child care provider? 23. What makes your child care home special? |