Be prepared with a list of daycare interview questions you can ask a potential provider. As you visit a child care provider's home, you will most likely get a tour and a brief description of the daily operations. Following is a list of "must-know" items before you can choose any daycare. If you don't have the answers to these questions by the end of the tour, be sure to ask them.

Essential Questions:

• Is the daycare currently licensed? Is the license posted?

• Is she trained in CPR & First-aid?

• How many years has she been caring for children?

• How many kids does she watch each day?

• What is the ratio of boys to girls?
  
  • You want your child used to playing with a mixture of kids.

• How many sick days has she had over the past year?
  
  • How were the parents notified? Considerate phone call or note on the door once they arrived?

• What are the methods of discipline?
  
  • How does she handle biters?
    
  • How does she handle a child who will not nap?
    
  • How does she handle a child who won’t eat a certain food?

• Ask for referrals from both present and past families.

• Are you allowed to visit? Is it okay unannounced?