QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL CAREGIVER WHEN VISITING A CENTER*:

1. What kind of experience do you have caring for children? How have you learned about children and their development? Can you share with me why you chose this career?
2. What would a typical day be like for my child?
3. How many children are in the group my child would be in?
4. Who else will have contact with my child when they are in your care?
5. How do you insure that each child receives individual attention?
6. Can you describe the mealtime routine for me?
7. How do you put the children down for a nap? What do you do if a child refuses to take a nap?
8. Could you describe your approach to toilet training?
9. How do you handle discipline? For example, what do you do when a child hits or bites another child, or is uncooperative?
10. How do you soothe a child who is crying or upset?
11. Do the children watch television? If so, how often and what kind of programs.
12. Does your program include activities where you will take the children off-site? How are they transported? Are there car seats for every infant and toddler, as well as booster seats for preschoolers?
13. Do all the children spend time outside on a regular basis? Is the yard fenced and the equipment safe? Can you see the entire play area at all times?
14. What happens if my child is ill? How do you handle medical emergencies that may occur with the children?
15. Where do you keep medicines and cleaning products?
16. How will you communicate with me about my child's progress?

*Please note, some of the information included in this section was provided with the permission of The Reiner Foundation and www.iamyourchild.org.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN LOOKING AT A CHILD CARE SETTING*:

1. Is the location of the home or center convenient and workable for me?
2. Is the caregiver interested in hearing about my child? About her routines, her likes and dislikes, her special needs?
3. Does the caregiver seem to be enjoying herself in her work? Does she talk warmly to the children when she is diapering them and feeding them? Do the children in her care seem to want to be with her and respond to her in a positive way? Can I imagine my child being cared for here?
4. Am I comfortable with the cleanliness and safety of the environment? Are the diapering and food preparation areas separate and clean? Does the caregiver wash her hands after every diaper change and before preparing any food?
5. Does the caregiver talk with each child at the child's eye level? Does her voice sound patient and cheerful when she talks to the children?
6. Do the children seem happy, relaxed and involved? Are there lots of toys, books, art supplies and other learning materials in the room? Are there things for children of all ages?

*Please note, some of the information included in this section was provided with the permission of The Reiner Foundation and www.iamyourchild.org.