When you need someone to take care of your little ones, it’s not easy to decide on a day care center. In fact, you may have no idea how to vet various providers and determine which one is right for your family. Here, Mendon Child Care Center in Monroe County, NY, lists five questions to ask when interviewing potential day care centers—so you can find your child the perfect place to grow.

1. Do You Have Experience With My Child’s Needs?

Every kid has quirks, from not wanting to eat their greens, to carrying a special blanket, to dealing with life-threatening allergies. Bring up any special requirements your children have when interviewing day care centers. Make sure the care providers have experience with things like Celiac disease, asthma, or behavioral problems. This will help you attain peace of mind before leaving your child in the care of another adult. 

2. What Safety Measures Does Your Day Care Center Take?

Finding a provider with a qualified staff that will keep your children’s safety in mind is crucial. Ask specific questions like:

• Do you put infants to sleep on their front or back?
• What hazards have you prepared to address in your center?
• What will you do in the event of a fire?
• What is your child-to-adult ratio?
• What safety training has your staff undergone?

3. What Is Your Pickup & Drop-Off Protocol?

You need a day care center with hours that complement your schedule. Ask about their pickup and drop-off routine so you can determine if you’ve found the right place. 

4. What Is Your Sick Policy?

Some parents are wary of day care centers and preschools out of fear their kids will pick up germs and bring them home. While it’s important to try and keep your kids healthy, you can’t always take off work to care for sick little ones. Ask prospective day care centers about rules regarding sick children. When do you have to keep your kids home because of illness, and when can they come in with the sniffles and an extra box of tissues?

5. How Do You Build Your Curriculum?

Day care centers are much more than just places for kids to play while their parents work. In fact, these institutions offer educational classes that are intensive yet age-appropriate. Talk with day care centers you’re interested in about how they create their curriculum. You’ll soon know whether your little ones will spend the day with a Montessori-type lesson plan or a more rigid academic schedule.

Search local day care providers and ask the questions above to determine which center will work best for your child’s needs. For information on the Mendon Child Care Center’s policies, experience, and staff, call (585) 624-2337 or visit the website.