Finding the right childcare for your family can be a difficult task. You are trying to figure out what is the best childcare option for your family whether it be a dayhome, a daycare or hiring a nanny. A dayhome can be a great option as it can be cost-effective, convenient and may provide intimate care. This dayhome guide offer tips on how to find a dayhome, a comprehensive list of dayhome interview questions, reference check questions and gives effective tips on how to transition your child into the dayhome.
Note: you will be able to enter your email address to receive a printable checklist of the dayhome interview questions discussed in this dayhome guide at the end.
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WHAT: What is a dayhome?
There are generally 3 basic types of childcare services:
Dayhomes are childcare services provided in a private residence. Daycares are located in a facility that is not a private residence. A nanny will come to your home to provide childcare.
You will have to decide which of these will fit your family’s needs. This guide will focus on dayhomes. Refer to the regulations on licensed/approved dayhomes in your province or state. For more information on approved family dayhomes in Alberta click here.
WHY: Why choose a dayhome?
A dayhome is generally the most cost-effective option. It is important to figure out what you can afford for childcare by creating a budget with childcare as an expense. Take a look at “Budgeting 101”
For convenience – you may be able to find one close to your home or work location.
A dayhome can be a more intimate setting than a daycare. It is like a home away from home that can provide socialization opportunities, offer extra learning, and even teach a specific language.
WHEN: When is the best time to look for a dayhome?
Start your search no more than 2 months before going back to work. It is hard for dayhome providers to accept new clients when they really don’t know what their availability is like if it’s too far in the future.
WHERE: What location would work best for your family?
It is important to choose a dayhome that is in a convenient location. Minimize your commute time. You will have to get everyone ready in the morning, drive to the dayhome and then drive to work. Time is limited in the mornings and you don’t want to spend a lot of it in the car.
HOW: How are you going to look for a dayhome?
Facebook – search for dayhome groups in your area. Post a message to your friends to ask if anyone knows of a good dayhome in your area.
Google dayhomes in your community. Some communities have an online directory of dayhomes that are accepting new clients.
Kijiji is another good place to look for a dayhome. Both private and regulated ones can be found here. Use the search function to type in the name of your preferred community to narrow down the choices.
Talk to your friends and family to see if they have a referral for you.
WHO: Which dayhome would be a good fit for your family:
When looking at a dayhome ad scan for things such as: hours of operation, pets, what type of activities do they do, fees, location and ratio of kids to the provider. The following sections go through dayhome interview questions.
Dayhome interview questions
After researching, you have a list of some potential dayhomes. The next step is to narrow down your choices and go see some dayhomes. Try to do a “pre-interview” on the phone to narrow down to the ones that you would like to go see. This step will help to make sure it worth your time to meet with this dayhome provider. Some providers may have a handbook that they may be willing to send to you to read in advance.
Examples of pre-interview questions:
*What are your fees?
*Do you have pets? (Perhaps your child has an allergy to dogs and cats)
*When are you accepting new kids?
*What are your hours?
*What is your address? (Generally, in the ads, it will list the community but not the specific home address. You can then Google Map the address to see how convenient the location is)
Dayhome interview questions
The following interview questions are to be asked during your meeting with the dayhome provider. Choose the questions that are applicable to your family.
*Why did you decide to open a dayhome and how long do you plan to stay open?
*What type of childcare training or experience do you have?
*Who else in the home will have direct care over the kids? Is your husband/partner home to help with the kids? Do you have hired help? For all those who are involved with the care for the kids, ask to see an updated police/security clearance and CPR certificate)
*Would you be driving the kids anywhere? Some dayhomes provide before and after school care. They may drive some of the kids to a bus stop. What happens then? Does everyone go to the bus stop? Are there appropriate car seats in the car? Perhaps the dayhome may take the kids on day outings using a car. See if she has a valid driver’s license.
*How many kids are in the dayhome and what are their ages? How many are part-time and full time? The age question will give you an idea if the dayhome can handle your child. If you have a 3 year old, perhaps there may be another 3 year old for your child to play with.
*What time do you open and close?
*When are you closed for vacations/holidays over the year?
*What happens if you are sick? Do you have back up?
*What are the fees? How would you like to be paid (cheque, E-transfer, cash)? How much is the deposit? Do you provide a receipt for tax purposes?
*What type of food is served? Some dayhomes will give you a menu for the week. If your child has a certain food allergy such as peanuts, is the dayhome provider be willing to offer a peanut-free environment? Do they offer sweets?
*What is the daily schedule like? What type of activities do you offer? For the older kids, is there any sit down time for learning activities? Is there TV time? When is nap time?
*What sort of items are required to be sent to the dayhome? For example: diapers, wipes, extra clothes, milk, sunscreen?
*Ask for at least 2 references.
The one other important thing is that you should feel comfortable with is the dayhome provider. You may have found a dayhome that looks great and is close to home, but you just don’t have a good feeling or vibe with the lady. Keep looking. You should feel that you can get along and be able to develop a good relationship with her.
Things to consider during the tour of the dayhome:
*Scan the environment for baby proof items required your child’s needs (outlet plugs, safety gates, covered table corners etc).
*Take a look at the nap room. Is it dark enough for your baby to sleep in? Do the children sleep in a playpen, bed, or on a mat on the floor?
*Where will they eat? At a table or in a high chair?
*Look at the play area. What type of toys are available? Some dayhomes have minimal toys and some are filled with toys.
*Ask to see the outdoor area where they will play. Is it safe? Are there gates and fences to keep the kids safely inside?
*How much time would the children be allowed to watch TV?
*When you got to the dayhome, did you notice the entrance to the dayhome was easily accessible? How is parking?
Reference Check:
Once you have chosen a dayhome, there is one more important step. Please take the time to call at least 2 references. The following questions may give you more insight into the dayhome:
*How did the dayhome lady treat your child?
*Did you feel that your child received enough attention?
*What did you like least/most about the dayhome?
*How does the provider communicate with you? Daily/weekly? Text messages? Was it easy to communicate with her?
*How is the home kept on a daily basis? Dirty, clean, organized, messy?
*How did the provider discipline your child?
*How much of a turnover did you see at the dayhome?
*Would you recommend this dayhome to a friend?
*Did you trust the provider?
5 Tips to help your child transition into a dayhome
Congratulations! You now have found the dayhome for your family! The next step is to figure out how to transition your child into the dayhome successfully.
1. Start early
It is ideal to start at least one month before you need to go back to work. It will give you time to see if this dayhome will work out for your family and if it doesn’t you have a bit of time to look for a new one. Start with a few days a week. You can decide with the dayhome provider how long your child can stay for. For the parent, it will be nice to have some time to yourself to get some stuff done (housework, errands, and getting ready to go back to work).
If your child had minimal exposure to other kids during the year at home with you, going to a dayhome will expose them to many germs. Usually, during the first couple of months, they are at a higher risk of getting sick (colds, flu, stomach flu, hand-foot syndrome etc). You have one month at home to help them through an illness (in case it happens!)
2. Nap time
One of the toughest things for a child to adapt to a new environment is sleeping. Once your child figures out how to sleep at the dayhome, everything else seems easy. Find out when is their nap time. Try to follow the dayhome nap schedule at home. If the dayhome provider puts all the kids to sleep at 12:30 pm, then try to put your child to sleep at 12:30 pm at home. This will help your child to adjust better at the dayhome. At home, allow your child to fall asleep by themselves if they don’t already.
Babies tend to do the transition of 2 naps down to 1 around 12-18 months old. Work with the dayhome provider to help your child with this transition.
3. Security item
Allow your child to bring a security item from home – a blanket, a stuffy or special toy. The item may make them feel a bit more comfortable being away from home.
4. Eating independently
At home, practice with your child with independent eating skills. The more they can self-feed, the easier it will be during meal times at the dayhome.
5. Drop and go
The easiest way to drop your child off at the dayhome is to drop them off with a hug and kiss, say that you will be back soon and just leave. Hanging around longer than necessary can cause them anxiety. Tears will often stop minutes after you have left. Have the dayhome provider send you a message when they have settled.
Other tips:
Depending on the dayhome you may need to send a backpack daily. You may need to pack a change of clothes, their security item, milk (formula, homo-milk), sunscreen, hat, sippy cup or whatever items the dayhome requests. Usually, a set of diapers, wipes, and bum cream are left at the dayhome. Whatever you send in that backpack you need to label! The dayhome has so many items coming in and out that you don’t want your items to be lost.
Mabel’s Labels are a great option. They are dishwasher safe, microwave safe and waterproof. Use them to label everything that you send to the dayhome including sippy cups, jackets, hats, mitts, etc.
The transition period may seem tough, and it will be tough. Just know that kids are resilient and they can adapt to new environments really well. Sometimes it is harder on the parents then the child.
Keep in mind, that ultimately dayhomes are a business. They are open to create an income for their families. Do whatever you can to make it easier for them to take care of your kids: label items, pick up your kids on time, update the provider if something is happening at home they affect your child’s behaviour, respect their rules and simply communicate with the provider.
As a cost-effective option, you can find a great dayhome that fits your family’s needs. I hope this dayhome guide has given you some direction and ideas on how to find the right dayhome for your family.
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thanks its really helpful!