Questions to Ask Potential Providers Over the Phone

Below are some questions you may want to ask when you are searching to find a child care provider that meets your needs:

• Are you licensed? Are you accredited?
• What hours are you open?
• How many children are currently in your care?
• What are the ages of the children in your care?
• How many children are in the program full-time/part-time?
• How much do you charge?
• What is your policy on payment during holidays, vacations, and sick days?
• What is your policy when a child is ill/you are ill?
• Are you certified to give medications?
• Are you current with your first aid and CPR certification?
• How long have you been in the child care field?
• How long do you plan to continue in this field?
• What is your experience/education? What is the experience/education of your staff?
• How many caregivers will my child be in contact with daily?
• What is your typical day like?
• What activities would my child experience?
• How do you help my child learn new skills?
• How will you accommodate my child with special needs?
• How do you handle discipline? Do you have a written discipline policy?
• Do you help with toilet training or does my child need to be toilet trained?
• What meals/snacks do you provide?
• Do you provide transportation or go on field trips? If yes, do you provide car seats or do parents? Do you have insurance?
• What school districts do you serve?

If your child speaks English as a second language, ask:

• Does anyone on your staff speak my child’s language?
• Do other children in your care share my child’s culture?

REFERENCES

Ask the provider for names and telephone numbers of parent references. Remember that a phone interview does not substitute for a visit to the program. Please refer to the Site Visit Checklist for information on what to look for when visiting a program.