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When choosing a family child care provider, the right questions
presented in the right way can help you to determine the
most appropriate situation. It's important to begin the
process with professional interviewing techniques, both
of the prospective provider and of the references he or
she has provided. In-person interviews should be arranged
with several caregivers whenever possible.
Where
to Start
Screen applicants by telephone. Find out basic information
such as how many children the provider currently cares for,
what ages, and whether he or she has available space for
your child at the times you need. If this first contact
is positive, schedule a time for you to meet at the home.
Questions
for the Provider During the Home Visit
Some initial small talk can put the provider at ease. You
might want to ask about his or her own children, other work
he or she did before caring for children, and his or her
interests. After you and the provider are comfortable, open-ended
questions provide the most information. "What do you
like best about children?" is better than, "Do
you like children?" Try to avoid questions that can
be answered yes or no.
Other examples:
- Why do you want to take care of children?
- What do you like best about this job? How long do you
plan to continue it? What do you like least? Can you describe
a typical day here?
- Have you ever had to handle an emergency? What happened
and how did you deal with it?
Age-specific questions can determine if the provider
is familiar with the developmental stages of young children:
- For an infant: What would you do if the baby didn't
stop crying?
- Toddler: How do you introduce toilet training?
- Preschool: What activities do you like to do on a rainy
day?
- School age and older: How is after-school time structured?
How do you provide a balance allowing for relaxation and
homework?
Policy questions can help in determining your agreement
to the terms of the contract: What are your policies regarding:
| vacation |
sick days |
| payment schedule |
late fees |
| tax issues |
discontinuation of care |
During an interview, some people like to have their child
present, to observe the interaction between the provider
and their child. Others prefer to conduct the interview
alone first, with the option of bringing their child over
briefly another time.
Be sure to notice a provider's body language. Does he or
she seem relaxed and at ease, or nervous and distracted?
Does he or she look you in the eye? Always trust your
instincts. If you do not feel comfortable with the prospective
provider for any reason, do not choose him or her! Compatibility
with your personal values should be considered. What are
his or her policies on television viewing? How does he or
she handle aggression? Try to identify issues that you feel
strongly about and be prepared to discuss your expectations.
Questions for References
References should always be checked. When interviewing
a provider, you should ask for the names, phone numbers,
and relationships of at least two people you can call as
references. It is preferable that references be individuals
who have used the provider for child care.
Open-ended questions work best. For example:
- What did you like best about the provider? Least?
- What was the reason the child care arrangement ended?
- Why might you choose this provider again? Why not?
- In the time you have known ______, is there any incident
in particular that stands out in your mind? Could you
tell me about it?
Pay close attention to the tone of voice, any pauses in
the conversation, or hesitation in answering. Most people
do not like to give a bad reference.
Police Checks and Fingerprinting
Some parents are interested in running a police check on
prospective providers. Written permission from the provider
is required. There may be a nominal fee in some areas for
the form. Remember, a police check only shows convictions
in a given locality. Do not rely on a police check alone!
For more information on police checks in Ohio, contact:
| Hamilton County (513) 632-8284 |
Clermont County (513) 732-7500 |
| Butler County (513) 887-3050 |
Warren County (513) 925-1280 |
| Clinton County (513) 382-8985 |
Police check STATEWIDE (614) 466-8208 |
In Kentucky, procedures vary by county, so it's best to
contact your local police department. A state-wide criminal
record check can be obtained for a fee of $4.00.
For more information, on police checks in Kentucky contact:
Kentucky State Police
Records Section
1250 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Fingerprinting provides more complete information
and is a nationwide check. In Ohio, a fingerprint check
can be done for a fee of $15, if the person has been an
Ohio resident for at least five years. For a person who
has lived in Ohio less than five years, the fee is $38.
There may be a lengthy wait for results and some providers
may be reluctant to be fingerprinted.
Child care center staff, certified providers and Child
& Adult Care Food Program participants must be fingerprinted
in Ohio and Kentucky.
This
information was prepared by 4C. 4C believes that parents
are best able to choose and evaluate child care for
their children, because they know their child's needs
best. Responsibility for selecting child care rests
with each parent. A 4C referral does not imply a recommendation.
If you notice conditions that cause you concern, please
call us at 513.221.0033 with the information.
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