what to ask at Family Day Care interview?

[MamaPan]

hi everyone
am searching for the right care solution for Noah and I have an interview at a family day carer tomorrow - pls send me suggestions of what to look for and what questions to ask...I want to make sure I dont miss anything!
Thanks!

[Jo+3]

You could ask about her programming and the types of activities she has for the children in her care. Also her strategies at rest time ( are children forced to rest - sorry personally hate this). I think the best thing to do though is observe lots while you are there. Have a look at where your child will play, the general upkeep of the place, but most important watch how the carer interacts with the children and your child because all the toys in the world don't make up for warm interactions between the children and the carer.

[Jo+3]

sorry, forgot to post. as it is family day care I would also ask what other people in the house or visitors will my children have contact with as they should all be police checked.

[Tobily]

Good advice ^

I recently spent three months looking for a new FDC for my little boy...I am very picky

The first thing I looked for was someone who had the children inside the living areas of the home. Their willingness to do this tells you alot about how they feel about children being there. I looked at many carers who had set up areas segregated from the rest of the house - in coverted garage areas mainly - and I don't like that sort of set up. To me, family daycare is about my child being in a home environment, interacting with the carer as he would be interacting with me at home...helping me clean (well not really helping but you know what I mean LOL), make dinner etc as well as having one-on-one play time. So yeah anyone with that sort of segregated set up I didn't really consider.

Then obviously the warmth of the carer, see how they are with their own kids...that can tell you alot...and looking to see that their parenting philosophy is in line with ours. Obviously safety and cleanliness, you don't want to see any glaring safety issues but this is usually ok because FDC have pretty strict standards.

Ask about sleep and feed times, whether everyone does everything at the same time or if she can work more with your own routine that bub is used to.

Ask about outings - some carers go out and take kids with them, others don't. I interviewed one who regularly took four - yes FOUR - children under two years old to the shops on the bus...by herself! Not freaking likely with my child lovey, and I told the scheme that was not on when they asked why I didn't want to use her

There are some really wonderful carers out there, if you have the time up your sleeve to be choosy do so, you will know when you find the right one. This has definitely been the case for me both times, I instinctively knew and both times my kids have been really, really happy and settled and we knew we made the right choice. Good luck

[Karina]

These are some of the things I asked at mine:

- what experience or qualification the carer has
- how many other children are there on the same days as your child
- do you have to provide all nappies, food etc
- does the family day care thing do spot checks on the carer at random times
- do they know first aid / qualified in first aid
- what do they do if your cihld doesnt want to sleep/eat whatever
- if they have a policy on things such as biting
- ask to see if they have a program or list of activities they do each day
- will they ever have to drive your child somewhere (eg to pick their own children up from school)
- what times you can use the service and if there is an extra charge for being late, extended hours etc. My FDC mum charges more if I need to drop Claire off before 8am or if she has to stay after 6pm.

I cant remember what else I asked.

[Pretty Butterfly]

I have been a family day care mum for years. I did have a "segragated" area for work, the back lounge room. We are not allowed to have the kids near stoves, hot taps, toilets, bathtubs and showers and anything dangerous, unsupervised. It is very strict, and sometimes very hard to convert your house to regulations!! As it is impossable to watch them all when going in different directions, it worked great!! Your carer needs to be happy, open, clean and interact well with the children. Get a copy of her timetable and ask about her daily plans.

Does she provide food and water? Do you supply your own?
Is she flexible on rests/naps?
Will she take the children out? (many dont)
Ask to see her log book (ALL visitors to the house must sign it. (You'll know if she sits with friends all day!)
Will she allow tt at her house?
Are her activities age related and per child, or just random?
Generally you can get a good idea by just sitting and chatting, and checking the kids area and the other children. Go with your gut instinct, and check out a few till you find "your" carer!! Good luck!!

[indie24]

I would also check to see what measures they have in place for emergency situations.

Also what is the procedure if the carer becomes sick while caring for children?

[Pretty Butterfly]

Most of your concerns should be in the handbook from the office. In emergency, or sick carer, the office is called and a Child Development Officer will go to the carers house and take over till your children can be picked up. Little or no disruption is what they aim for.