Interview Ethics
When making the initial contact with your potential Provider, tell the Provider the ages of your children and the hours you require.
When speaking to a Provider on the phone, be honest. If the Providers rates, hours etc do not work for you, tell her so. If you are only looking for information, be upfront. Most child care professionals are happy to share information with anyone who is honest. Do not promise to call back unless you intend to do so. The Provider may be waiting for your phone call.
Do not decide you do not like Provider based on a phone conversation (unless her hours, location, etc do not meet your needs). You may be surprised by how different she is in person. Interview all daycares that meet your basic requirements. If the Provider seems distracted or short on the phone it may be that she is busy with the children. Keep phone conversations short. Save most of your questions for the interview.
When setting up a time for the interview, make sure you repeat the date and time you have agreed upon. Write down the interview time and display it in a prominent place so you will not forget. Give the Provider your phone number in case something comes up. Make sure you get the Providers complete address and directions to her house.
Set a specific time for the interview and arrive on time. If you change you mind or have to reschedule the interview please call the Provider as soon as possible. The Provider will likely spend some time preparing for you and may re-arrange her day to accomodate the interview. How would you feel if you made an appointment with someone and they failed to show up?
Plan to interview several Providers. If you interview a Provider you really like, continue to interview the other Providers on your list before making up your mind. You may miss out on meeting the perfect match for you if you make your decision in haste.
Do not stay at the Providers house for more than 1 hour. If necessary you can set up a second interview.
Always thank the Provider for her time.
If you are sure you will not choose the Provider, do not let her think you will. She may turn others away thinking you want the available spot. Offer constructive feedback at the end of the interview. Let the Provider know right away if her program does not meet your needs.
Always call the Provider within a week of the interview. Even if you decide not to go with the Provider, let her know. It is also desirable to offer constructive feedback or give a reason why you chose someone else (ie: location, fees, the other Provider is more experienced- but be honest).
Keep in mind the Provider is also interviewing you to decide if you will be a good match for her program. The Provider will continue to interview other potential clients until she has a commitment. Do not assume the Provider will hold the space available for you while you make up your mind.
Read any information the Provider gives you carefully even if you don't think she is right for you. The information might help you when interviewing other Providers. Some Provdiers may want the interview package returned to them if you decide not to register.
Respect the Provider as a professional. Do not try to bargan with her on fees and other policies. Most Providers can be flexible with hours, menu, etc but fees will be universal with all clients are are not negotiable.
Do not assume anything. If you have any questions or concerns or special requests, make sure you ask at the interview. This will help reduce misunderstandings.
Daycare Providers are skilled professionals, not babysitters. We offer a service to the community. It is your job to decide which daycare meets your needs best. The Parent-Provider relationship is a partnership based on mutual respect. Keep in mind that while you have your child's best interest in mind,it is your Provider's job to look out for the best interest of her group as a whole.
10 Things You Should Expect from Your Child Care Provider
Whether a baby-sitter in your home, a family day-care provider in her home or a number of people in a child-care center care for your child, you should be able to expect certain things.
Open communication. Providers should give you frequent and full updates on your child’s progress and problems. They should welcome your questions and ask you questions about how they can help your child. If they let you know what is happening with your child during the day, you can develop ways to deal with problems and to build on activities and accomplishments of the day.
Open access to their home or center. Parents must be welcome to drop in any time, even without calling. Providers also should allow parents to make a reasonable number of phone calls to check on their children’s well-being, in case of illness or if there’s a special problem such as separation anxiety. You and the provider should work out the best times for such phone calls and determine how many calls are reasonable.
Safety for your child. Providers should take all possible precautions to keep children safe. This includes plugging light sockets, putting away knives and other sharp objects, closing off stairways and using only safe and well-maintained equipment, among other basic safety measures. It also includes always using child-safety seats and seat belts when transporting children in cars.
Honesty and confidence. Providers shouldn’t make commitments that they can’t or don’t intend to keep. They shouldn’t cover up problems or accidents that occur. They shouldn’t expect parents to help them avoid income taxes by slipping them money on the side. They also shouldn’t gossip about your child or your family to friends or coworkers.
Acceptance of parents’ wishes. Providers should abide by parents’ wishes on matters such as discipline, TV watching, food, adult smoking and toilet training. If parents do not want their children spanked, providers should not spank them. If parents don’t want anyone smoking around their child, the provider needs to see that no one smokes in the house when the child is present. If providers feel that they can’t abide by parents’ wishes, they need to tell parents before agreeing to care for the children and parents should look for other care.
Advance notice of any changes. Since it is often very difficult to find adequate care, providers should tell parents well in advance if they are going to change their hours or prices or if they are going to stop or limit the time of caring for a child. Parents need at least a month or, better yet, six weeks’ notice if a provider is no longer going to care for a child. Except in the case of an emergency, parents should be given at least two weeks notice even if the provider won’t be available for just one day.
No interference in the child’s family or family problems. Providers shouldn’t talk to children about their families’ problems, lifestyle or values. Likewise, the provider should be careful not to take sides in any family disputes such as custody battles. Providers should not try to impose their religious or other beliefs on the children they care for. This includes not taking children to religious services unless asked to by the parents.
No advice offered unless asked for and no judging of parenting practices. Providers shouldn’t criticize or advise parents on child rearing unless the parents ask for their advice. They shouldn’t set themselves up as experts on parenting. If parents ask for advice, providers should offer it in a noncritical way. Of course, if providers see something that is seriously wrong with how parents are raising their children, such as if they fear child abuse or see a child apparently suffering from malnutrition, they should discuss the problem with the parents and, if needed, contact legal authorities.
Assurance that everyone in contact with the child is trustworthy and properly trained and supervised. Providers must be responsible for everyone who enters, visits and works at their home or center. This includes screening custodial help, not admitting strangers to the home, seeing that all transportation workers are properly trained ant that all visitors, including friends or relatives of the provider, are trustworthy and supervised and will not harm the child.
No surprises. This means that your family day-care provider won’t suddenly tell you that since she has taken a part-time job, her teenage daughter will watch your child three afternoons a week or that your child’s favorite teacher at the center just disappears without warning or comment. Surprises are probably what parents fear the most from their child-care providers.
10 Things your Child Care Provider Should Expect from You, the Parents
While expectations will differ somewhat, depending on whether your child is cared for in your home, in the home of a family day care provider or in a child care center, your provider or providers should be able to expect certain things from you.
Open communication. Explain clearly and carefully your wishes and expectations about how your child will be cared for. Also provide updates on problems and progress that your child is making. Give the provider information about your child's routine, activities and preferences. Good communication helps parents and providers work together in the best interest of children.
Agreement on terms or arrangements. You should fully understand the expectations of the provider and what you as a parent are agreeing to. A written agreement between the provider and parents is usually helpful for both parties.
Honesty and trust. This includes being honest about how you believe the arrangement is working, whether your child is happy with the provider and whether you are. Although you need to be vigilant in order to safeguard your child, you should still trust your child care provider to do the best for your child. Show your trust by asking questions rather than jumping to conclusions when apparent problems develop.
Advance notice of and agreement to any changes. Providers have to earn a living, too, so they deserve advance notice if you are going to stop using their services, take a vacation during which they will receive no pay or change their hours. If, for example, you want the provider to start feeding your child breakfast, this change should be made in the rate of pay. And, if you expect a month or six weeks' notice in case the provider can no longer care for your child, you owe the provider similar notice.
Pick up on time and follow through on all agreements. Providers have personal lives, too, and they should be able to expect that you will pick up your child at the agreed upon time. If it takes you 15 minutes a night longer to get home than you expected or if you find it more convenient to stop at the grocery store before picking up your child which makes you 30 minutes late three times a week you need to work out a new agreement with the provider or find a way to abide by the original one. If you agree to provide diapers, formula or other supplies, you should bring them before they are needed.
Do not to send sick, hungry or overly tired kids. Agree with your child care provider in advance about when you can and cannot bring a sick child. Never bring a child whom you know is not feeling well enough to be away from home and family. Likewise you shouldn't expect your child care provider to cope with a child who has not had breakfast or who went to bed four hours late last night.
Payment on time and no "rubber" checks. Child care providers have to pay the rent and buy food, too, so make arrangements to see that they get their pay on time.
Respect. Realize that taking care of children is a job and the child care provider is a worker, often a working parent, just as you are. Recognize also that this is not an easy job. A child care provider is not "just a baby sitter". She is one of the most important people in your child's life and in yours, too.
No jealousy. Try not to be jealous of your child's attachment to child care providers. Children who spend hours every day with a baby sitter or day care worker come to love that person. That love, though, doesn't diminish the love the child feels for you. Don't feel that you have to compete with your child care provider for your child's affection.
No surprises. Your Provider shouldn't learn on Friday that you have decided to take next week off from work so you won't need her or pay her, either. Your family day care provider shouldn't learn that you now expect her to pick up your kindergartner after school because the car pool you have been using has dissolved. child care providers don't like surprises any better than parents do.
Choose a Quality Daycare Program
If you are considering enrolling your child in a daycare program, you have probably realized that all programs are not equal. Many programs offer similar services but can vary in quality. As you visit or tour programs, choosing the best place for your child, you may wish to review the following checklist:
The Environment
Is the physical environment a bright, colorful and inviting place?
Is the environment designed with children in mind? Furniture should be child sized. Materials should be accessible. Displays should be at the child's eye level.
Are the toys and materials plentiful, age appropriate and in good repair?
Family Involvement
Does the program have an "open door" policy where you are welcome to drop by and visit whenever you wish?
Are parents encouraged to participate in program planning and events?
Will you be regularly informed of your child's progress and daycare experiences?
Are general program policies and procedures available to you in writing?
The Staff
Do the caregivers have training and experience working with children?
Do caregivers interact one-on-one with children in a warm and responsive way?
Are caregivers responsible for small groups of children? It is aganst the law for a home daycare to have more than 5 daycare children under the age of 10 years old at ANY given time.
Do caregivers only use positive discipline techniques?
Is there a low turn-over in staffing? Will there be a consistent caregiver for your child to develop a relationship with?
The Program
Are there daily opportunities for free play? Is there a balance between quiet and active, large and small group activities? Are there daily opportunities for outdoor or very active play?
Does the program or curriculum reflect a sensitivity and respect for those from diverse ethnic and cultural groups?
Do the activities promote growth in different areas of development including, physical growth, social skills, emotional growth, verbal skills, cognitive ability and creativity?
This checklist is only a brief overview of what to consider when choosing a quality daycare program for your child.
From: http://daycare.about.com/library/weekly/aa013000a.htm
The Day Nurseries Act
In Ontario, an unlicenced homedaycare Provider may care for up to 5 children under the age of 10 years old at any given time. This applies per household, not per adult. If two Providers are running a daycare together, they may only have 5 daycare children combined. The Providers own children do not count in the 5 children allowed. Any children under the Providers care that the Provider is not recieving payment for (ie: relatives) do not count. Before and after school children and part timers do count in the 5 children allowed. Even if a child only attends daycare for 1 hour a week, the Provider must count him or her in her 5 children allowed. This law is intended to keep kids safe. If your Provider is caught with more than 5 daycare children, she will be given 24 hours to get down to 5 children. If she fails to do so, she may be fined $1000/day and may even be jailed. If this happens, you may be forced to find a new Provider without notice. Is that a risk you want to take? One on one attention is very important for the safety and wellbeing of children. When interviewing a Provider, always ask how many children she cares for any given time. Ask to see a copy of her enrollment list.
To be licenced in Ontario, a home daycare Provider must work with an agency. Licenced home daycares may care for 5 children under the age of 6 including the Providers own children. No more than 2 children can be under 2 years old and no more than 3 children can be under 3 years old. The Provider may not have more than 5 daycare children under 12 years old.
Where do your child care fees go?
Child care providers are professionals trying to earn an income just as you are. You child care tution is the only source of income for most daycare professionals. However, there are many costs associated with operating a home daycare that your tutions help to pay for. These expenses include special childcare insurance, professional development, healthy food, new toys and equipment, art supplies, office supplies, repairs and maintanence to the facility, learning materials and all of the other things that your child uses.
Your fees also pay for unconditional love and attention. Kisses and hugs, guidance and support. Your dollars pay for providing and maintaining a safe learning environment for your child. Your child's happiness will be evidence that your money has been well spent.
Most people work an average 40 hours a week. Home child care Providers work well over 60 hours a week. That does not include training, program preparation and planning time, bookkeeping, paper work, shopping and cleaning time. Many Provdiers spend hours after the daycare closes and on weekends preparing for your child's return to ensure your child will be safe and stimulated. I hope that this gives you a better idea of what your childcare dollars cover.
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