The interview questions you should be asking when looking at a childcare program for your children

Most parents get stressed when it is time to leave their child to a childcare facility. After the maternity leave is over, even the very thought of leaving their child with an unknown person and completely new surroundings seems stressful. Moreover the rising cost of childcare facility is another factor that adds to their stress. The most important factors that influence the decision are fees of the childcare facility, its location and availability of seat for their child along with these factors, it is equally important to know about the reputation of the facility, accreditations and their procedures, like is it full time or part time, the working days and programs they conduct for the parents.

However, there are some important interview questions you should be asking when looking at a childcare program for your children:

Does your childcare facility hold a proper license or accreditations? A childcare facility that does not hold a proper license is definitely not undergone state mandatory inspections. Hence it is necessary to send your child to a licensed childcare facility which is thoroughly inspected for the safety of your child.

Are thorough background checks done for the teachers? You are leaving your child at an unknown place with unknown teachers. Hence a thorough background check of teachers is very important because your child will spend most of his time with the teachers. So they should be apt enough to handle your child well. Also remember, your child will be spending his most crucial years of development with his teachers. 

What is the teacher-to-child ratio? A licensed facility has to follow the set teacher-to-child ratio. Thus lesser children with each teacher is a good set up. This further ensures that the teacher isn’t overloaded with a lot of children and the rooms are not over packed.

How happy are the teachers in the environment? Happy teachers mean happy surroundings which mean happy children. This also implies that the facility offers a good work environment. Thus you are ensured that the facility has high quality caretakers If the turnover rate of teachers is high, it means that the teachers are not happy in the set up, which can be a red flag for you.

What amount of information of a child is required and how is it filed? A childcare facility does not necessarily need all the details like the exact date of birth, full name and social security number. As many children are prey to identity theft, it is necessary to be extra careful. Only the director of the facility should have access to your child’s personal information.

How often do you clean the carpets and play toys? Dirty carpets and infected toys can cause stomach infections easily. Hence there should be high cleanliness standards provided by the facility.

Do the teachers hold certification for first-aid and CPR? If the childcare facility is licensed, this is mandatory. It is better to be safe than sorry.

What safety measures are adopted by the facility? You must be sure that the place where you leave your child for hours should be safe and protected. The doors and windows must be locked. The play area should be safe and clean with proper high fences all around. Moreover, the facility should pay attention to who will pick and drop the child, proper identification proof is needed if parents do not come. Ventilation and emergency exits should also be checked.

A quality childcare program is extremely important to identify.  If you are in Albany and have questions you need answers to, please consider giving TSL Adventures a call!!!