How to Interview References for Childcare Providers

Before giving serious consideration to any childcare provider for your child, you should check a couple references. Talk to people who send or have sent their child to the childcare provider of interest to you.

Instructions

1. Ask the reference if her child enjoys attending the daycare facility. Although a child might not always want to separate from his parents to attend daycare, his overall outlook of the childcare center should be positive if he is receiving nurturing care.

2. Ask the reference about the mood of her baby or young child if he is too young to convey his experiences. Determine whether her child is in a cheerful mood or if he seems fussy or dissatisfied after a day with the childcare provider. A poor attitude could be an indicator of problems with childcare.

3. Talk to the reference to determine if there is any reason why she would not recommend that your child attend the daycare center. If you are talking to someone who no longer sends her child to that provider, she may very well have reasons as to why the childcare provider is not one of the best.

4. Determine how well the childcare center provides stimulating activities for children. Talk to the reference about activities in which her child has participated and new concepts the child has learned while attending the daycare center.

5. Talk to your reference so that you can learn how receptive the childcare provider is to parents. Ask if the provider encourages parents to play an active role in the care of their children while they are at work.

6. Ask the reference to explain the qualities she likes most in the childcare center. Find out if there are any areas of the childcare center in which she is not or at some point was not satisfied.