Choosing someone to care for your child when you return to work is one of the most challenging decisions to make. Wondering what to ask when you meet a potential licensed home childcare Provider?
Here are some questions that you can use in your interviews with potential Providers:
- How long have you been caring for children in your home?
- What training do you receive from the agency? And how often do you have meetings or training sessions (what are the topics?)
- What do you like best about being a childcare Providers?
- Why do you do this job?
- How many children are currently in your home?
- How do you communicate with parents during the day when the child is in care?
- What progress reports will I receive from you or the agency on my child’s development?
- What training and support do you receive from the childcare agency?
- If you are sick or on vacation, what is the process for us? (Is there back-up care provided?)
- Show me your play area and where the child will eat and nap.
- How often do you take the children outdoors to play? Show me where you will take them outdoors.
- Show me your regular programming – what type of activities do you engage with the children on a daily basis?
- Where do you get ideas for programming?
- What do you typically serve children for lunch?
- Can you show me your menu plan for the week?
- Tell me about the children currently in care (ages, personalities)
- How do you handle children that are difficult or don’t get along with each other?
- Who else lives in the home? Will they be home when the children are in care?
- Do you have pets?
- How do you ensure that the home is safe for the children?