Conference moira::parenting

    If they smoke, have pets, and especially - do they have a
    fenced in yard!
    
    			(just some to think of)
    				cj

    
    Ask how many kids they take care of total, including after-school
    kids.  Also, ask if they have a swimming pool and if its fenced
    off from the children's play area.
    
    ...................beth

Some things to think of/questions to ask when looking for Daycare:

- What type of Daycare would you prefer - family home daycare or 
  daycare center

- Location - is it in a residential area or on a busy street?

- Smoking or non-smoking environment

- Pets

- Is there a pool?  If so, is the pool area fenced off from the 
  rest of the yard?

- Holiday's/vacation schedule

- Hours of operation

- Cost - part-time/fulltime, after-school, sibling discount?

- In the case of a family home daycare provider, does he/she have
  backup in case of emergency or if he/she is sick?

- How many children are allowed?

- Is there ample room for the children to play or are they stuck 
  in a small area all day?

- In the case of a family home daycare provider, does he/she have
  any children of her own?

- Sick policy?  What are the rules if children are sick?  (i.e.
  if the child has a temp 101 or higher, the parent is called
  and asked to pick up the child and the child can't return to
  daycare until the temp has been down for 24hrs., etc.)

- Does the daycare provider take the children in a vehicle during
  the day?

- Certification?  (CPR, first-aid, early childhood education, etc.)

- ** Make sure your daycare provider and you have open communication.
     Tell them to feel free to call you if they notice anything 
     (i.e. pulling on ears/irritable, stranger anxiety, etc.)
     or even tell them to send you a note if another child at   
     the daycare comes down with the flu so you will know to
     watch for signs. 

    I recently selected daycare for my daughter and found that Worklife
    Connections was a tremendous help.  You can obtain literature, guidance
    and advice as well as listings of all available daycare providers in
    your area.
    
    You can find out all about the program by getting into VTX and typing
    "find worklife".
    
    I began the process believing that I would hire an au pair or use a
    home day care option.  After some significant research, we decided to
    use a day care center.  MaryJo is in week 2 and so far, we are very
    pleased.  Most importantly, she seems to be happy.
    
    Good Luck!

    I second the worklife connection. They are an excellent source of info.
    They have all kinds of checklist to review to help make a decision. 
    
    One very important aspect for me is there always someone available.
    That is one of the reasons we chose a center. They are open day other
    than weekend and major holidays (only 6). Some in home providers want
    a lot more time off. If you someone (relative, friend) that can do
    back up care for you that may not be an issue.
    
    Another issue is their sick policy. Some plays send the child home with
    a sniffle (I know I've been this route), and other's monitor the
    child's condition longer. 
    
                                          Good luck it is a tough decision.
    
                                                    Alice
    

Three things that always seemed to end up being some sort of issue wherever
they were;

o Outings in the car - are kids in car seats?  Is there a belt for everyone?
  Will you know ahead of time? (more than once I showed up to pick the kids 
  up early or for lunch and found an empty house - ARGH!)  How often?  Do they
  go with the provider to Drs appts for the provider?  Where are the kids the
  whole time? (alone in the waiting room?!?)

o Meals - what is your kid allowed/expected to eat??  If it's something that 
  your child doesn't like, then what??  There should always be some sort of
  "fallback" lunch available that your child will eat (PB&J maybe? Even a bowl 
  of cereal beats nothing).

o Naps - is your child expected to stick with the same sleep schedule as other
  kids??  How long, and what time, are naps?  How flexible is the provider?

Sooner or later, the car, food and sleeping have cropped up, no matter who was 
watching the kids.

Good Luck!
Patty

    RE: all
    
    One thing to remember when looking at a home daycare provider is to
    verify the license.  In many states, a license is required.  Those that
    require a license also have regulations which stipulate square footage,
    transportation rules, napping, training, certification for first aid, 
    etc.  Check with the state about their requirements first.  Having a
    license insures at least some amount of conformance as there are
    periodical inspections.
    
    My wife has been providing care for 5+ years now and has run into many
    "interesting" situations.  Home daycare providers can typically be a
    bit more flexible than centers when it comes to part time care.  Many
    centers will require minimum hours.
    
    Your mileage may vary...  Stop in a various times to see things for
    yourself.  Don't forget, whatever you decide, you ALWAYS have the right
    to stop by and check things out.
    
    Dan