Day Care Search

Part of successful parenting involves asking the right questions toward individuals who you are seeking to employ to watch your children.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that approximately 40% of day care workers have a high school degree or less.  Choosing an appropriate and safe day care center for your child care is less stressful and time consuming when the day care center has the following policies presented in this article in place.  When you meet with the day care administrator for the first time, ask for answers to the following questions. 

Day Care Staff  &Training

• What is the staff memeber to child ratio? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a ratio of one staff person for 3 to 5 small children and one staff member for 7 to 10 older children .
• Are the younger and older children separated or together? Separating the older and younger children helps reduce the number of infections and injuries. 
• What are the center’s policies on discipline? Are the policies in writing? Ask and receive a copy of the writen policies.
• What are the training requirements for staff members?
• Are staff members certified in basic first aid?
• Are staff members trained in child development?
• Are staff members trained in child abuse?
• Are staff members trained in preventing illness and injury?
• Does the center have rules about  frequent hand-washing?

Sick Children Policy Questions

• How is medicine administered?
• Are parents told about illness among the children?
• When must children stay home due to illness?
• Does the center have a “sick room” for children?
• Is there a nurse to help with medical care?
• Are children required to have vaccinations before coming to day care?
• Does the day care center keep a record of health-related problems?

 
Building and Playground Safety

•  Are poison control phone numbers and ambulance phone numbers clearly posted?
• Does the playground have impact-absorbing surfaces, such as wood chips, under the swings and slides?
• Are young children able to get to high places?
• Are the children protected from strangers?
• Are fire drills held at least every month?
• Are there smoke alarms throughout the building?
• Does the center use space heaters? If so, are they being used properly?
• Are safety gates used in areas for small children?
• Are electric outlets covered?
• Are sharp corners of furniture covered?
• Are the toys kept clean? Washable toys should be washed every day with a disinfectant cleaner, such as Lysol or a solution of water and bleach.
• Does the day-care staff regularly clean all surfaces with disinfectant?
  What are some signs that would tell me if there are problems?