What questions should i ask when seeking good daycare?

My dd is 9months! We've been fortunate to have my dh work from home and watch Mady but pretty soon he is going to need some help about2-3 days a week.

We will be looking at various daycare soon and i'd like to have a bunch of questions ready to ask that i prob wouldnt think to ask..

please help!
what sort of things should i be concerned about, etc.

TIA!!

Re: What questions should i ask when seeking good daycare?

i'm trying to find an online version of a pamphlet that i got that has awesome questions...so far i came up with this..

Are there individual cribs for each infant?
Are toys sanitized daily?
Are the care, meals, and nap times personalized for your infant's needs?
Are play and daily routines used as opportunities for nurturing and learning?
Are the toys safe for your infant?
Do the toys and materials offer interesting and challenging activities?

Re: What questions should i ask when seeking good daycare?

some more

Learning & Nurturing

Are teachers specially trained for the age they teach?
Are groups small enough to provide young children the attention they need?
Are teachers loving and responsive?
Are play and caregiving routines viewed as opportunities for learning?
Is there daily communication about your child's day?
Do toys and materials offer interesting and challenging activities appropriate for your child's age?
Is there a written, planned program you can see in action?
Are there positive methods of discipline and realistic expectations for children of this age?

Health & Safety

Is the center registered?
Is the classroom environment safe, clean, and well maintained for the needs of infants and toddlers?
Are doors secured?
Are sick children who are contagious kept at home?
Are immunizations required?
Are toys sanitized?
Do teachers wash hands before and after diapering and eating?
Do teachers supervise sufficiently when children are socializing?
Are you allowed to visit your child anytime you want?
Are sleeping and eating schedules personalized for your child?
Do children get to play indoors on soft, safe surfaces like carpet (instead of concrete) to prevent sores and scars?

Re: What questions should i ask when seeking good daycare?

Schools philosophy?
Discipline policy?
Sick policy?
Ratios?
Teacher qualifications?
Is the staff CPR or first aid trained?
Cleaning schedule?
classroom schedules? (and if infants are able to go on their own schedules)
Whether or not they are MAT certified? (administer medication)
What the security system is like?
How are pick ups verified?

Re: What questions should i ask when seeking good daycare?

ok last one, promise lol. this is from a daycare website in kentucky. it's a list of good characteristics of a daycare

- - -

Call. Call several centers to find out hours and days in session, cost of the program, its location and proximity to your home or work. Tuition assistance may be available. Be sure to ask. Make appointments with the ones that sound most promising.

Visit and Evaluate. Visit two or three centers while the children are there. Spend at least one hour in the classroom and extra time talking with the director. If possible, do not bring your child on your first visit to the center. It is easier to observe if you are not distracted by your child's presence and needs. Following are characteristics of a good program. Place a check for each yes answer.

Environment

A safe, well-maintained pleasant place for children
Cozy areas that are made with soft materials
A combination of carpeted and tiled floors for a variety of experiences
Space for each child's belongings, including a change of clothing
Refrigerator nearby for storage of formula and bottles
Low protective barriers to separate walking infants from those playing on the floor
Furniture and outdoor play equipment for toddlers
A safe outdoor play area, both shaded and open
Opportunities for digging in sand and for water play

Staff

Warm, nurturing, friendly, accepting and patient adults
Director and head teacher with college level training in early childhood education
Caregivers with training and experience working with infants and toddlers
Talk to, laugh with and listen to children
Comfort an angry, sad or frightened child in a loving, supportive way
Experts recommend one adult caregiver for every four infants (birth to 18 months) and every six toddlers (18 months to three years)
Discipline handled in a sensitive, positive way, respecting each child's feelings

Sleeping Routines

A separate crib or cot for each child
Sheets, pads and blankets changed and laundered daily or more often as needed
Children allowed to nap according to their own needs
Quiet, darkened and separate nap areas
Soothing attention to children as they fall asleep

Play

Infants, when not asleep, are out of the crib, with sufficient room to move about, see a variety of colors, shapes and objects, listen to music and other sounds, and play with interesting materials
Caregivers play with, sing to, hold, and cuddle each child often throughout the day
Variety of art materials, toys, games, musical instruments and things to climb on
Materials and equipment in good condition on low shelves
Walkers, high chairs with seat belts, infants seats and strollers
Children choosing their own activities and toys most of the time
A posted schedule that reflects planning for the experiences that will be offered each day

Feeding Routines

Babies held during bottle feeding
Fed according to their needs and individual schedules
Bottles refrigerated until needed, and used promptly
Left-over formulas discarded at the end of the day
Labeled bottles with the child's name and the date prepared
Babies and toddlers encouraged to feed themselves
Well-balanced, nutritious meals
Finger foods for infants and young toddlers
Pleasant and sociable mealtimes

Parent Communications

Planned programs for parents
Parents participating in the classroom or eating with their children
Notes to parents concerning their infant's eating, sleeping and eliminating schedules for each day
Parents informed of any special activities, visitors or trips
Parents make suggestions about menus, activities and program
A parent newsletter and bulletin board
Regularly scheduled parent conferences

Diapering and Toileting Routines

Diapering/toilet areas clean, free from odor, well-ventilated and removed from the feeding area
Diapers changed without delay after they are soiled
Babies thoroughly cleaned after the dirty diaper is removed
Dirty diapers disposed of in a closed separate, sanitary container
Changing table with secure strap which holds the baby safely, and which is used every time
Changing table surface disinfected after each baby is changed
Caregivers' hands washed thoroughly after changing each baby's diaper
Toileting begins only when the child is physically ready, interested and able to understand the process of using the toilet
Parents involved in the decision to begin toilet training for their children
Toilet training as a positive, pleasant part of toddler's day
Toileting accidents treated casually rather than with anger and disappointment

Safety and Health

Written policy prohibiting sick children from attending the center
Up-to-date state license (and city license, if required), displayed and free from any provisional restrictions
Accessible first aid kits in the classroom
A first-aid trained staff member at the center at all times

Warning Signals

The center does not encourage parents to observe.
The children move about without any guidance or direction for 30 minutes or more.
The staff spend most of their time scolding or ordering the children

Re: What questions should i ask when seeking good daycare?

oh these are great! thank you so much! there are a few things i didnt think of!!