It is not easy to entrust your precious child to anyone, especially if he or she is still an infant or toddler. You should feel comfortable and secure to leave your child under the care of a childcare provider before you leave him or her. Whether you choose an individual or a daycare center, conducting an interview will give you a clearer idea of what you can expect.
Here are some tips on how to interview a childcare provider:
- Make a list of questions you would like to ask to make a short list of individual providers to invite for a personal interview or daycare providers you can visit.
- For individuals and daycare providers, conduct an initial phone interview and ask qualifying questions. The first phone interview will help you weed out applicants and centers that may have programs or practices that do not match your expectations or affordable price range.Ask questions related to your child’s age and special needs.
- Take notes while interviewing to have a point of comparison in making your shortlist. After interviewing several providers, you will have a clearer idea of the kind of child program you want.
- Here are questions to ask during your interview with an individual childcare provider:
- Describe your experience in childcare.
- How many children have you taken cared of?
- Why did you choose to be a childcare provider?
- Are you registered as a childcare provider?
- What formal training have you completed related to childcare?
- How will my child’s typical day be like under your care?
- What do you do in case there is an emergency?
- What is your experience in tutoring children?
- What rate do you charge for childcare services?
- Set-up personal interviews with the individual childcare providers who have passed your initial phone interview. Ask questions that will reaffirm your choice, before you invite the applicant to come to your home to interact with you and your child.
- If you are exploring taking your child to a daycare center, here are initial questions you can ask over the phone:
- Is your center licensed to care for children?
- How many are the children currently enrolled and of what ages?
- What is your center’s infant/toddler/child to staff ratio?
- What are the fees that you charge for my child’s age?
- What additional costs would I possibly incur?
- Has your staff been trained in early childhood education, CPR and first aid?
- Do you provide formal or informal education like tutoring or Pre-K?
- How many staff will directly handle my child and in what role?
- Can you give me a list of parents whom I can call as references?
- Check reviews on the Internet about the daycare center you are considering. Visit the centers that have initially passed your criteria. Take your spouse with you during the visits so he can give his opinion.
- During your visits, interview not just the manager who runs the center but also the childcare provider who may possibly be assigned to take care of your child. Ask specific questions regarding the center’s program, rules, policies and other concerns you may have regarding childcare. Ask about trial sit-ins.
- Review your notes and choose the childcare provider that gave you a secure sense of safety, calmness, and made you feel excited and less guilty to leave your child under their care. Your intuition and gut feel will help you best decide on which provider to choose.
Add comment