Comments | mizarchivist: Borrowing your collective brains

mizarchivist

Borrowing your collective brains

Oct 05, 2012 17:18

What questions would you ask a daycare before signing on a dotted line?

I fear I'd just go with: "Hey, kid seems to be having fun, what the hell."

reference, wondering, kid care

Comments 16

OH I've done this one sweetmmeblue October 5 2012, 21:39:08 UTC

What is your turn over rate?
Will my child have the same provider for most of the day?
What do I need to provide?
What is the method of feedback and communication from classroom teacher to us?
What are your rules about when a child shouldn't come in if they are sick?
What are your rules about when a provider shouldn't come in if they are sick?

That's all I can come up with off the top of my head right now.

Re: OH I've done this one mizarchivist October 6 2012, 02:28:22 UTC

Thanks-

ricevermicelli October 5 2012, 21:54:51 UTC

There are worse metrics then that one.

I asked about turnover as well.
Can parents visit during the day?
Is there an age at which they expect children to be potty trained? How is potty learning handled by staff?
How much do the kids get outside? Where do they go?
How do they handle conflicts between kids?

That said, we very much chose the daycare where kids seemed comfy with the staff. Comfort level is hard to fake.

gosling October 5 2012, 22:05:17 UTC

Excellent questions. :-)

Thanks mizarchivist October 6 2012, 02:31:11 UTC

My boy- at least for the short bit of time I was there, just sort of started playing, which was entirely awesome. He wasn't even hugely grabby. Just mostly curious.

After reading over everything that's put up so far I am most interested to hear how they handle conflicts. I do know that they get out relatively often when it's nice out and they seem to go on a fair number of adventures around Arlington. Anyway- we'll see. It may all be for nothing this time.

a possibly excessively lengthy answer from the former preschool and toddler teacher... gosling October 5 2012, 22:03:07 UTC

Are you NAEYC accredited? [Most quality programs are. Lack of accreditation isn't always a sign of a poor program, but if they give you a defensive answer or don't seem to know what you are asking that can be a red flag. NAEYC is the National Association for the Education of Young Children. All programs must be liscenced through the state. Those are very minimum standards. NAEYC accreditation sets higher standards ( ... )

Re: a possibly excessively lengthy answer from the former preschool and toddler teacher... gosling October 5 2012, 22:27:22 UTC

Possibly the most important questions, though:

Does it seem like the teachers really delight in the kids and enjoy being there?

Do the kids seem like they really love the teachers?

Is this a place you feel comfortable?

Do you find yourself envying your kid a little, because it just seems like such a fun happy place to be?

Are the teachers creative in their problem solving and knowledgeable about both child development and classroom management in a nurturing positive way?

Re: a possibly excessively lengthy answer from the former preschool and toddler teacher... mizarchivist October 6 2012, 02:34:03 UTC

Thanks.
A lot of that was apparent when I went in this afternoon for a first look-see. I'm not overly worried about the separation issues, but as I mentioned to ricevermicelli, the question about conflict resolution is a big one for me. He's a good kid, but who's to say the kid next to him is, and everyone has a bad day. And there's the obstinate id-driven fun of being a year+ old.

Re: a possibly excessively lengthy answer from the former preschool and toddler teacher... ricevermicelli October 6 2012, 02:42:58 UTC

They could all be the best and sweetest kids in the world, there just needs to be a plan in place for the day they all want the same duplo.

Thread 6

aelscha October 5 2012, 22:57:24 UTC

I have no insight, but I am totally flagging this post for when it becomes relevant in my future. Excellent hiveminding.

minkrose October 6 2012, 01:37:32 UTC

Ha, I just did the same thing! Though, my mother works in preschools for Newton public schools, so I'd also ask her about specific schools when the time comes, if we're still nearby.

NAEYC is the gold standard, as mentioned above. kebbykate October 6 2012, 05:04:59 UTC

I too put my time in in the saltmine that is daycare, then picked one for my kid--E. As you have seen, she's turning out pretty well ( ... )

Re: NAEYC is the gold standard, as mentioned above. mizarchivist October 6 2012, 12:19:19 UTC

Just reading that exhausted me and filled me with dread.

To be honest, I'm hoping that QE thinks it's a good place and that it'll work out (with the ever-present caveat that it's needed at all right now). Why? Well, the whole concept of wading through this is just exhausting on its own, add to it my particular thing of: Can I get there without help and with a chance of being on time? That whole not willing to buy a car for this enterprise so I can get to daycare.