The word of mouth and referral methods apply to daycare centers as well. In addition, here are some questions that you should ask.
What experience and training do you require of your employees?
At daycare centers, children are grouped in rooms by age. Each room should have at least one teacher with early childhood training. In addition, there should always be someone at the center who has up to date CPR and first-aid training.
Is your center accredited; with what agency?
All centers are licensed. Most good centers are also accredited. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is one of the primary accreditation bodies. Being accredited means that the center has gone above and beyond the minimum licensing requirements.
What is your employee turnover rate?
Turnover is high at daycare centers. However, good centers will often have lower turnover rates. This is good for you and your children. Ideally, there will be at least one experienced provider in each room.
What is your teacher/child ratio in each age group?
While there are state minimums, some centers have better teacher/child ratios than others. Be aware, however, that a lower teacher/child ratio will usually make the center more expensive.
What is your menu plan?
The center should have a printout of what meals are served each day in the center. They should also have a food allergy list in each room.
What is your curriculum?
Most centers have a well-developed education plan for children under their care. Lesson plans are normally posted in your child’s room at the center.
When can I come in to observe you in action?
You should visit the room your child will be in and watch the teachers in action. In addition to the items listed in the at-home section, you should try to get an idea about how different teachers handle discipline in the room. If your child is an infant, make sure that diapers and bottles are labeled so that they are not mixed and matched.
What are your vacation requirements?
With a center, you will not have to deal with a provider going on vacation because there will be a substitute. You will want to find out about how many “sick days” and vacation days that your child gets. If your child attends full time, you will normally get two weeks of vacation time that you will not have to pay for. Otherwise, you pay whether your child is there or not.
May I have a list of your references?
Once again, get the references and call them.
Do you offer discounts through specific employers or insurance providers?
Many times, employees of specific companies can get a discount at specific daycare centers. Your employer can give you some of this information. However, you should also ask at the center. In addition, some centers provide discounts for families with specific health insurance carriers. A typical discount is 10 percent.
What is your multi-child discount (if applicable)
Most centers offer discounts if you have more than one child enrolled. You can do some comparison shopping to find the best discounts at the best centers.