One of the most important decisions you will ever make regarding your new baby is the person that will have the responsibility to care for him or her. While it might sound like a simple process, the truth is that hiring a good daycare provider takes careful planning, a ton of research, and many questions. Because I started out with a horrible experience with my son, I wanted to provide you with some positive traits that you should look for when hiring a daycare provider.
Remember that even if a provider is licensed by the state, that does not mean his or her services will be up to par. While this does mean the person has to follow stricter guidelines pertaining to operations and number of children being watched, it does not make that provider a good choice. Some of what you find will be done through research but you also need to go with your gut. As a single parent, you want only the very best for your child so never be afraid to speak out. If the daycare provider is hesitant in answering questions or even asking you questions, you should wonder why.
A good daycare provider should have a positive outlook, great personality, and be engaging. You should feel comfortable in this person’s presence. The provider should have as much interest in you and your child as you do in him/her. Conversation should be easy and good eye contact is important. Keep in mind that you want to interview as many providers as it takes to find the right one. Typically, I recommend that parents meet with a minimum of three to five providers.
You also need to ask pertinent questions and then pay attention to not just the answers but also the way in which the potential provider responded. You want to know about hours, licensing, history of caring for children, ages of children cared for, any past accidents, references, food, diapering, cuddle time, literally everything that you can think of and no, there are no limits.
A good daycare provider should view this as a job, one that requires opening and closing on time, sticking to the rules of payment, knowing how and when to handle emergencies, transportation, CPR, and so on. This last issue, CPR, coupled with first aid, is something we see more and more daycare providers finishing. Even if it is never needed, it sure puts your mind at ease should your child fall, choke, or be injured in some other way. You also want to make sure the daycare providers has scheduled and organized activities for the children rather than plopping them down in front of the television everyday.
Finally, you should be allowed to view the daycare area, making sure it is clean, organized, and above all, safe. The provider should also be neatly dressed, clean hair and hands, and be kid-friendly. While you would not expect the provider to be in a suit, you would expect clean clothing that is appropriate for this type of job. Obviously, finding someone in frayed cut-offs and worn out flip-flop sandals might be a little unnerving.