Childcare Interview Questions

We posted a listing with care.com for afterschool care for two of our three kids....one is PDD/NOS. What questions should we ask? He won't be getting any therapies at home.

It's only from 3-6pm. One child is K and gets off the bus at 3:30pm and the other is 3 and won't get off the bus until 4:30pm. The third will be with my in-laws since she isn't in school yet. I've never had to hire anyone. We always use family in the past, but it's not going to work this year.

Thank you for your help.

Message edited 8/9/2011 5:17:09 PM.

Re: Childcare Interview Questions

What type of activities would you do with my sons to engage them ?
(the activities have to take into account the different developmental stages. Her answer should address both kids needs at the same time.-for instance, an activity where the older child won't be bored and the younger child will be able participate).

Ask her what type of transporation she will be using, and is it reliable ?

What type of job did she have prior and why did it end ?

How would she handle a "meltdown' from either child ?

And if she has to do any preparing of food make sure she is aware of how to use any appliances. (you would be suprised how some people don't know how to check to see if a frozen waffle is fully done before giving it to a child to eat lol)

I think you need to make sure you are hiring someone reliable because the hours you need are in the middle of the day, and you don't want someone leaving the position quickly because they found another with more hours.

Good luck,...I am not a fan of the 'interviewing' process !!!

Re: Childcare Interview Questions

i have never had to hire outside child care, but i do know a good place to start is at a local college...

if i had to hire someone to care for a few hours after school for my ASD son, i would love to find someone who is going to school for either special ed or elementary ed.

i have found that those who do watch (from friends) children with special needs will jack up their prices... one person i know charges close to $25 an hour... she was a special ed teacher for many years...

sorry if this was unsolicited advice.

Re: Childcare Interview Questions

I agree about all of the above questions.

I would also give scenarios besides meltdowns and see how he/she would handle them. For example, if I was looking for someone to watch DS, I would want to know how they would handle things if he got upset due to some change in routine/plans. This is a frequent problem for us, and I'd like to see what the person comes up with. I would also ask how he or she addresses poor behavior, has this person cared for a child with special needs in the past, and explain any rewards systems you might have in place.

A student at a college studying in this area could be great, but there may be issues with classes--if you have a student, I would want to confirm that he or she would schedule around the hours you need them.

Re: Childcare Interview Questions

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the feedback. It is all so useful. Interviews start Monday. And I hate them too!