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Questions to Ask Infant Daycare: A Parent's Comprehensive Guide
Choosing the right infant daycare is one of the most crucial decisions a parent will make. It's a decision fraught with emotion, anxiety, and a healthy dose of uncertainty. You're entrusting the most precious thing in your life to strangers, hoping for a nurturing, stimulating, and safe environment. This guide will equip you with the essential questions to ask prospective infant daycares, transforming that uncertainty into informed confidence. We'll cover everything from safety protocols and teacher qualifications to curriculum and daily routines, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your little one.
Safety First: Prioritizing Your Infant's Well-being
Safety should be your paramount concern. Don't hesitate to delve deep into the daycare's safety protocols. Ask specific questions, going beyond generic assurances.
Emergency Procedures: Inquire about their procedures for handling emergencies, including illnesses, injuries, and even fire drills. Ask to see their written emergency plan and observe how they conduct a mock drill, if possible. Are they familiar with infant CPR and first aid? Do they have a designated emergency contact list readily available?
Security Measures: How do they secure the premises? What measures are in place to prevent unauthorized entry? Do they have a strict sign-in/sign-out system? Are there security cameras? Are background checks conducted on all staff members? What's their policy on visitors?
Hygiene and Sanitation: How frequently are surfaces cleaned and sanitized? What are their protocols for handling diaper changes and preventing the spread of germs? Do they have a designated sick bay for isolating unwell children? What are their policies on handwashing? How do they handle food allergies?
Transportation Safety (If Applicable): If the daycare provides transportation, inquire about their vehicle safety regulations, driver qualifications, and child restraint policies. Do they follow all state and local safety requirements for transporting young children?
Curriculum and Daily Routines: Fostering Development and Growth
Beyond safety, you need to ensure your infant receives stimulating care that promotes their development.
Daily Schedule: Ask for a detailed daily schedule. What are the typical routines for feeding, sleeping, playtime, and diaper changes? Is the schedule flexible to accommodate individual infant needs? Is there structured playtime integrated into the day?
Developmental Activities: What activities and learning opportunities are provided to promote your infant's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development? Do they utilize age-appropriate toys and learning materials? Do they track developmental milestones?
Teacher-Infant Ratio: Inquire about the teacher-infant ratio. A lower ratio generally means more individualized attention for your baby. This is particularly crucial during the infant stage where constant supervision and care are essential.
Communication with Parents: How will the daycare communicate with you throughout the day? Will you receive regular updates on your infant's well-being, feeding, sleeping patterns, and activities? How frequently can you communicate with your child's caregiver? What methods of communication do they use (email, text, phone calls)?
Staffing and Qualifications: The Heart of Quality Care
The quality of care your infant receives depends heavily on the competence and dedication of the staff.
Teacher Qualifications and Experience: Ask about the qualifications, experience, and training of the teachers and caregivers. Do they hold relevant certifications, like early childhood education credentials? How much experience do they have working with infants? How often is there staff turnover?
Staff Training: What kind of ongoing training and professional development opportunities are provided to the staff? Are they regularly updated on best practices in infant care and child development? Do they have experience handling specific developmental needs or challenges?
Background Checks and References: Confirm that all staff members undergo thorough background checks. Are references available? Are the staff members properly trained in infant first aid and CPR?
Facility and Environment: A Safe and Stimulating Space
The physical environment plays a significant role in your infant's overall well-being.
Facility Cleanliness and Maintenance: Assess the cleanliness and overall condition of the daycare facility. Are the play areas safe and well-maintained? Is the facility clean, well-lit, and adequately ventilated?
Infant Sleeping Arrangements: How do they arrange infant sleeping areas? Do they adhere to safe sleep guidelines? Do they use cribs that meet safety standards? What is their policy on swaddling?
Outdoor Play Area (If Applicable): If there is an outdoor play area, assess its safety and suitability for infants. Is it fenced and secure? Is it properly shaded and equipped with age-appropriate play equipment?
Policies and Procedures: Understanding the Daycare's Operational Framework
Familiarize yourself with the daycare's policies and procedures to ensure they align with your values and expectations.
Discipline Policy: Inquire about their discipline policy for infants. What methods do they use to manage behavior? Do they use positive reinforcement techniques?
Sick Child Policy: Understand their procedures for handling sick children. What are their policies regarding fever, vomiting, and diarrhea? When will they send a child home?
Medication Policy: How do they handle the administration of medication? What is their procedure for storing and dispensing medication?
Parent Communication Policy: Establish clear expectations for communication between you and the daycare. How often will you receive updates about your child? What methods of communication will be used?
Licensing and Accreditation: Ensure the daycare is properly licensed and accredited by relevant agencies. This provides assurance that they meet minimum standards of care.
Beyond the Basics: Asking the Unconventional Questions
While the above questions are crucial, don't hesitate to ask more personalized questions.
Philosophy of Care: Ask about their overall philosophy of care. What are their values and beliefs regarding infant development and care? Does their philosophy align with your parenting style and values?
Parent Involvement: What opportunities are there for parent involvement in the daycare's activities and programs? Are parents welcome to volunteer or participate in events?
Feeding Practices: If you have specific dietary preferences or concerns for your infant (breast milk, formula, solids), ask detailed questions about their feeding practices and flexibility in accommodating these preferences.
Infant's Individual Needs: If your infant has specific needs or developmental concerns, discuss these openly with the daycare provider to see how they can be accommodated.
Ebook Outline: Questions to Ask Infant Daycare
Name: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Infant Daycare: A Parent's Checklist
Outline:
Introduction: The Importance of Choosing the Right Daycare
Chapter 1: Safety and Security: Prioritizing Your Infant's Well-being
Chapter 2: Curriculum and Daily Routines: Fostering Development
Chapter 3: Staffing and Qualifications: The Heart of Quality Care
Chapter 4: Facility and Environment: A Safe and Stimulating Space
Chapter 5: Policies and Procedures: Understanding the Operational Framework
Chapter 6: Beyond the Basics: Asking the Unconventional Questions
Chapter 7: Visiting the Daycare: What to Look For In Person
Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision
(Note: Each chapter would elaborate on the points mentioned above, expanding on each topic with real-life examples, tips, and additional questions.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the ideal teacher-to-infant ratio? While regulations vary by state, a lower ratio (e.g., 1:4 or even 1:3 for infants) generally indicates more individualized attention.
2. How can I tell if a daycare is truly safe? Look beyond certifications. Observe cleanliness, security measures, emergency preparedness, and staff interactions. Ask pointed questions about safety procedures.
3. What if my infant has allergies or special needs? Openly discuss this with the daycare. A good provider will be proactive in accommodating your child's needs.
4. How much should I expect to pay for infant daycare? Costs vary significantly by location and type of care. Research average costs in your area.
5. How can I get a feel for the daycare's culture? Visit during regular operating hours, observe interactions between staff and children, and talk to current parents.
6. What if I’m not happy with the daycare after enrollment? Have a clear understanding of their withdrawal policies and be prepared to explore alternative options if necessary.
7. How important is accreditation? Accreditation from reputable organizations demonstrates a commitment to higher standards of care.
8. What should I do if I suspect abuse or neglect? Report your concerns immediately to the appropriate authorities (child protective services).
9. How far in advance should I start looking for infant daycare? Ideally, start your search several months in advance, especially if you have specific preferences or requirements.
Related Articles:
1. Finding Affordable Infant Daycare: Tips and resources for finding affordable childcare options.
2. Best Practices in Infant Care: A guide to nurturing and stimulating development in infants.
3. Infant Sleep Training and Daycare: Balancing sleep routines at home and daycare.
4. Navigating Infant Feeding Challenges in Daycare: Addressing common feeding issues.
5. Common Infant Illnesses in Daycare: Identifying symptoms and preventing the spread of germs.
6. Choosing Between In-Home Daycare vs. Center-Based Care: Comparing the advantages and disadvantages.
7. The Importance of Early Childhood Education for Infants: Understanding the benefits of early learning.
8. How to Prepare Your Infant for Daycare: Tips for a smooth transition.
9. Building a Strong Relationship with Your Infant’s Daycare Provider: Establishing open communication and trust.
| questions to ask infant daycare: Go Diaper Free Andrea Olson, 2021-02-17 Stop changing diapers?start potting your baby. Over half the world's children are potty trained by one year old, yet the average potty training age in the United States is currently three years old. This leaves parents wondering: What did people do before diapers? and How do I help my own baby out of diapers sooner?Elimination Communication, also known as EC, is the natural alternative to full-time diapers and conventional toilet training. Although human babies have been pottied from birth for all human history, we've modernized the technique to work in today's busy world.Go Diaper Free shows parents of 0-18 month babies, step-by-step, how to do EC with confidence, whether full time or part time, with diapers or without. Diaper-free doesn't mean a naked baby making a mess everywhere - it actually means free from dependence upon diapers. With this book, new parents can avoid years of messy diapers, potty training struggles, diaper rash, and unexplained fussiness. Also helpful for those considering EC, in the middle of a potty pause, or confused about how to begin.This 6th edition includes a new section on The Dream Pee, a full text and graphic revision, more photos of EC in action, and a complete list of further resources.MULTIMEDIA EDITION: includes the book and access to private video library, helpful downloads, additional troubleshooting, and our private online support group run by our Certified Coaches. For less than the cost of a case of diapers, you can learn EC hands-on, the way it's meant to be learned. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Here's the Plan. Allyson Downey, 2016-04-05 For many women in their 20's and 30's, the greatest professional hurdle they'll need to overcome has little to do with their work life. The most focused, confident, and ambitious women can find themselves derailed by a tiny little thing: a new baby. While more workplaces are espousing family-friendly cultures, women are still subject to a parenting penalty and high-profile conflicts between parenting and the workplace are all over the news: from the controversy over companies covering the costs of egg-freezing to the debate over parental leave and childcare inspired by Marissa Mayer's policies at Yahoo. Here's the Plan offers an inventive and inspiring roadmap for working mothers steering their careers through the parenting years. Author Allyson Downey, founder of weeSpring, the Yelp for baby products,” and mother of two young children advises readers on all practical aspects of ladder-climbing while parenting, such as negotiating leave, flex time, and promotions. In the style of #GIRLBOSS or Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office, Here's the Plan is the definitive guide for ambitious mothers, written by one working mother to another. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Cribsheet Emily Oster, 2019-04-23 From the author of Expecting Better and The Family Firm, an economist's guide to the early years of parenting. “Both refreshing and useful. With so many parenting theories driving us all a bit batty, this is the type of book that we need to help calm things down.” —LA Times “The book is jampacked with information, but it’s also a delightful read because Oster is such a good writer.” —NPR With Expecting Better, award-winning economist Emily Oster spotted a need in the pregnancy market for advice that gave women the information they needed to make the best decision for their own pregnancies. By digging into the data, Oster found that much of the conventional pregnancy wisdom was wrong. In Cribsheet, she now tackles an even greater challenge: decision-making in the early years of parenting. As any new parent knows, there is an abundance of often-conflicting advice hurled at you from doctors, family, friends, and strangers on the internet. From the earliest days, parents get the message that they must make certain choices around feeding, sleep, and schedule or all will be lost. There's a rule—or three—for everything. But the benefits of these choices can be overstated, and the trade-offs can be profound. How do you make your own best decision? Armed with the data, Oster finds that the conventional wisdom doesn't always hold up. She debunks myths around breastfeeding (not a panacea), sleep training (not so bad!), potty training (wait until they're ready or possibly bribe with M&Ms), language acquisition (early talkers aren't necessarily geniuses), and many other topics. She also shows parents how to think through freighted questions like if and how to go back to work, how to think about toddler discipline, and how to have a relationship and parent at the same time. Economics is the science of decision-making, and Cribsheet is a thinking parent's guide to the chaos and frequent misinformation of the early years. Emily Oster is a trained expert—and mom of two—who can empower us to make better, less fraught decisions—and stay sane in the years before preschool. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Back to Work After Baby Lori Mihalich-Levin, 2017-04-11 There are books out there on every baby-related topic imaginable. But how about one that helpsyou plan your return to work, ease your concerns and fears about the transition so you can focus on your baby, introduce you to a community of otherreturning-to-work mamas, and empower you to make calm and thoughtful choices? Back to Work After Baby fills this much-needed gap. Whether you are a brand new mom wondering how this return from maternity leave will go or it's your second or third return, Back to Work After Baby will inspire you with new ideas on how to approach the return with a healthy mindset, tackle all those logistics, view your leave and return as a leadership opportunity, and commit to staying in community with other working mamas. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child Steven P. Shelov, 2009 A latest edition of a best-selling reference features a new design and expanded information on the preschooler years, in a guide that covers topics ranging from infant care and food allergies to sleeping habits and autism. Original. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Overwhelmed Brigid Schulte, 2014-03-13 ______________________ 'Too much to do? Stop and read this' - Guardian 'For a fresh take on an eternal dilemma, Overwhelmed is worth a few hours of any busy woman's life – if only to ensure that she doesn't drop off the bottom of her own “To Do” list' - Mail on Sunday ______________________ In her attempts to juggle work and family life, Brigid Schulte has baked cakes until 2 a.m., frantically (but surreptitiously) sent important emails during school trips and then worked long into the night after her children were in bed. Realising she had become someone who constantly burst in late, trailing shoes and schoolbooks and biscuit crumbs, she began to question, like so many of us, whether it is possible to be anything you want to be, have a family and still have time to breathe. So when Schulte met an eminent sociologist who studies time and he told her she enjoyed thirty hours of leisure each week, she thought her head was going to pop off. What followed was a trip down the rabbit hole of busy-ness, a journey to discover why so many of us find it near-impossible to press the 'pause' button on life and what got us here in the first place. Overwhelmed maps the individual, historical, biological and societal stresses that have ripped working mothers' and fathers' leisure to shreds, and asks how it might be possible for us to put the pieces back together. Seeking insights, answers and inspiration, Schulte explores everything from the wiring of the brain and why workplaces are becoming increasingly demanding, to worldwide differences in family policy, how cultural norms shape our experiences at work, our unequal division of labour at home and why it's so hard for everyone – but women especially – to feel they deserve an elusive moment of peace. ______________________ 'Every parent, every caregiver, every person who feels besieged by permanent busyness, must read this book' - Anne-Marie Slaughter, author of Why Women Still Can't Have It All |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Baby Knows Best Deborah Carlisle Solomon, 2013-12-17 Raise self-confident, self-reliant children using the RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) Approach. Your baby knows more than you think. That's the heart of the principles and teachings of Magda Gerber, founder of RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), and Educaring. Baby Knows Best is based on Gerber's belief in babies' natural abilities to develop at their own pace, without coaxing from helicoptering or hovering parents. The Educaring Approach helps parents see their infants as competent people with a growing ability to communicate, problem-solve, and self-soothe. Baby Knows Best is a comprehensive resource that shows parents how to respond to their babies' cues and signals; how to develop healthy sleep habits; why babies need uninterrupted playtime; and how to set clear, consistent limits. The result? More relaxed parents and more confident, self-reliant children. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Find Your Unicorn Space Eve Rodsky, 2021-12-28 From the New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play comes an inspirational guide for setting new personal goals, rediscovering your interests, cultivating creativity, and reclaiming your Unicorn Space. With her acclaimed New York Times bestseller (and Reese’s Book Club pick) Fair Play, Eve Rodsky began a national conversation about greater equality on the home front. But she soon realized that even when the domestic workload becomes more balanced, people still report something missing in their lives—that is, unless they create and prioritize time for activities that not only fill their calendars but also unleash their creativity. Rodsky calls this vital time Unicorn Space—the active and open pursuit of creative self-expression in any form that makes you uniquely YOU. To help readers embrace all the unlikely, surprising, and delightful places where their own Unicorn Space may be found, she speaks with trail blazers, thought leaders, academics, and countless real people who have discovered theirs everywhere—from activism to artistic endeavors to second careers. Rodsky reveals what researchers already know: Creativity is not optional. It’s essential. Though most of us do need to remind ourselves how (and where) to find it. With her trademark mix of research based, how-to advice and big-picture inspirational thinking, Rodsky shows you a clear path to reclaim your permission to have fun, manifest your own Unicorn Space in an already too-busy life, and unleash your special gifts and undiscovered talents into the world. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Understanding Families Marci J. Hanson, Eleanor W. Lynch, Mary Kanne Poulsen, 2013 Meet the needs of today's diverse American families with the second edition of this cornerstone textbook for early childhood professionals. With timely NEW information on demographic changes, cultural and linguistic diversity, effects of the recession, and infant mental health. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: From Neurons to Neighborhoods National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development, 2000-11-13 How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of expertise. The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about brain wiring and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting Noël Janis-Norton, 2012-05-10 Simple strategies for a happier home and more cooperative kids. For children aged 3-13. Finally, a revolutionary programme that gives you simple steps to take the daily battles out of parenting. These strategies resolve one of parents' biggest frustrations: getting your children to listen and do what you ask, the first time you ask. When children are at their best, it is easy to get along with them and enjoy them. However, when they are defiant, argumentative or disrespectful, it is easy to get wound up, to argue back, threaten, nag or shout. If this sounds like the situation in your home too much of the time, then Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting is for you. When you use these strategies, not only will your children become more cooperative, but also more confident, self-reliant and considerate. Learning new skills like Preparing for Success, Descriptive Praise and the Never Ask Twice method can transform your relationship with your child in a short space of time and help bring the joy back into family life. Full of examples and real stories from parents, this book gives you clear step-by-step guidance to achieve Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting. These strategies work! |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Ask a Manager Alison Green, 2018-05-01 From the creator of the popular website Ask a Manager and New York’s work-advice columnist comes a witty, practical guide to 200 difficult professional conversations—featuring all-new advice! There’s a reason Alison Green has been called “the Dear Abby of the work world.” Ten years as a workplace-advice columnist have taught her that people avoid awkward conversations in the office because they simply don’t know what to say. Thankfully, Green does—and in this incredibly helpful book, she tackles the tough discussions you may need to have during your career. You’ll learn what to say when • coworkers push their work on you—then take credit for it • you accidentally trash-talk someone in an email then hit “reply all” • you’re being micromanaged—or not being managed at all • you catch a colleague in a lie • your boss seems unhappy with your work • your cubemate’s loud speakerphone is making you homicidal • you got drunk at the holiday party Praise for Ask a Manager “A must-read for anyone who works . . . [Alison Green’s] advice boils down to the idea that you should be professional (even when others are not) and that communicating in a straightforward manner with candor and kindness will get you far, no matter where you work.”—Booklist (starred review) “The author’s friendly, warm, no-nonsense writing is a pleasure to read, and her advice can be widely applied to relationships in all areas of readers’ lives. Ideal for anyone new to the job market or new to management, or anyone hoping to improve their work experience.”—Library Journal (starred review) “I am a huge fan of Alison Green’s Ask a Manager column. This book is even better. It teaches us how to deal with many of the most vexing big and little problems in our workplaces—and to do so with grace, confidence, and a sense of humor.”—Robert Sutton, Stanford professor and author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide “Ask a Manager is the ultimate playbook for navigating the traditional workforce in a diplomatic but firm way.”—Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Child Care Handbook , 1980 |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Elevating Child Care Janet Lansbury, 2024-04-30 A modern parenting classic—a guide to a new and gentle way of understanding the care and nurture of infants, by the internationally renowned childcare expert, podcaster, and author of No Bad Kids “An absolute go-to for all parents, therapists, anyone who works with, is, or knows parents of young children.”—Wendy Denham, PhD A Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) teacher and student of pioneering child specialist Magda Gerber, Janet Lansbury helps parents look at the world through the eyes of their infants and relate to them as whole people who have natural abilities to learn without being taught. Once we are able to view our children in this light, even the most common daily parenting experiences become stimulating opportunities to learn, discover, and connect with our child. A collection of the most-read articles from Janet’s popular and long-running blog, Elevating Child Care focuses on common infant issues, including: • Nourishing our babies’ healthy eating habits • Calming your clingy, fearful child • How to build your child’s focus and attention span • Developing routines that promote restful sleep Eschewing the quick-fix tips and tricks of popular parenting culture, Lansbury’s gentle, insightful guidance lays the foundation for a closer, more fulfilling parent-child relationship, and children who grow up to be authentic, confident, successful adults. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Passionate Learners Pernille Ripp, 2015-08-27 Would you want to be a student in your own classroom? In Passionate Learners: How to Engage and Empower Your Students, author Pernille Ripp challenges both novice and seasoned teachers to create a positive, interactive learning environment where students drive their own academic achievement. You’ll discover how to make fundamental changes to your classroom so learning becomes an exciting challenge rather than a frustrating ordeal. Based on the author’s personal experience of transforming her approach to teaching, this book outlines how to: • Build a working relationship with your students based on mutual trust, respect, and appreciation • Be attentive to your students’ needs and share ownership of the classroom with them • Break out of the vicious cycle of punishment and reward to control student behaviour • Use innovative and creative lesson plans to get your students to become more engaged and intellectually-invested learners, while still meeting your state standards • Limit homework and abandon traditional grading so that your students can make the most of their learning experiences without unnecessary stress • And much more! New to the second edition, you’ll find practical tools, such as teacher and student reflection sheets, parent questionnaires, and parent conference tools, available in the book and as eResources on our website (http://www.routledge.com/9781138916920) to help you build your own classroom of passionate learners. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: The Gentle Parenting Book Sarah Ockwell-Smith, 2016-03-03 Parenting trends come and go. Gentle parenting is different - it isn't a label for a precise set of rules but a method of parenting that embraces the needs of parent and child, while being mindful of current science and child psychology. It means parenting with empathy, respect, understanding - and boundaries. In The Gentle Parenting Book, Sarah Ockwell-Smith provides a trustworthy combination of what-to-expect information and gentle-parenting solutions to the most common challenges faced by parents with young children. Sarah addresses a wide variety of topics, including coping with a crying baby, introducing solid foods and creating healthy eating habits, potty training, starting nursery and school, sibling rivalry, tantrums, whining and sulking, aggressive behaviour and much more. And for those parents who have previously used a more authoritarian style of parenting, there's plenty of advice - and reassurance - on making the transition to a gentler approach. For many, gentle parenting comes as a relief because it chimes with their deepest instincts about the best way to raise their children. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Why Is My Child in Charge? Claire Lerner, 2021-09-02 Solve toddler challenges with eight key mindshifts that will help you parent with clarity, calmness, and self-control. In Why is My Child in Charge?, Claire Lerner shows how making critical mindshifts—seeing children’s behaviors through a new lens —empowers parents to solve their most vexing childrearing challenges. Using real life stories, Lerner unpacks the individualized process she guides parents through to settle common challenges, such as throwing tantrums in public, delaying bedtime for hours, refusing to participate in family mealtimes, and resisting potty training. Lerner then provides readers with a roadmap for how to recognize the root cause of their child’s behavior and how to create and implement an action plan tailored to the unique needs of each child and family. Why is My Child in Charge? is like having a child development specialist in your home. It shows how parents can develop proven, practical strategies that translate into adaptable, happy kids and calm, connected, in-control parents. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Passionate Readers Pernille Ripp, 2017-08-04 How do we inspire students to love reading and discovery? In Passionate Readers: The Art of Reaching and Engaging Every Child, classroom teacher, author, and speaker Pernille Ripp reveals the five keys to creating a passionate reading environment. You’ll learn how to... Use your own reading identity to create powerful reading experiences for all students Empower your students and their reading experience by focusing on your physical classroom environment Create and maintain an enticing, well-organized, easy-to-use classroom library; Build a learning community filled with choice and student ownership; and Guide students to further develop their own reading identity to cement them as life-long, invested readers. Throughout the book, Pernille opens up about her own trials and errors as a teacher and what she’s learned along the way. She also shares a wide variety of practical tools that you can use in your own classroom, including a reader profile sheet, conferring sheet, classroom library letter to parents, and much more. These tools are available in the book and as eResources to help you build your own classroom of passionate readers. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Protecting the Gift Gavin De Becker, 1999 I commit that by the end of this book, you'll know more and be uncertain less; see more and deny less, accept more and hesitate less; act more and worry less. How can I be so sure? Because if nature selected you for the job of protecting a child, odds are you're up to it.--Gavin de Becker In his groundbreaking bestseller The Gift of Fear, Gavin de Becker showed millions of readers that like every creature on earth, human beings can predict violent behavior. Now, in Protecting the Gift, de Becker empowers parents to trust fully their own intuition when it comes to their children's safety. In this indispensable resource, de Becker provides keen insights into the behavior and strategies of predators. He offers practical new steps to enhance children's safety at every age level: specific questions parents can ask to screen effectively and evaluate baby-sitters, day-care services, schools, and doctors; a Test of Twelve safety skills children need before being alone in public; warning signs to help parents protect children from sexual abuse; and how to keep teenage girls and boys from unsafe situations with peers and adults. De Becker also shatters the myth that rules like Never Talk to Strangers will keep your children safe. By showing what danger really looks like--as opposed to what we might imagine it looks like--de Becker gives parents freedom from many common worries and unwarranted fears. All parents face the same challenges when it comes to their children's safety: whom to trust, whom to distrust, what to believe, what to doubt, what to fear, and what not to fear. De Becker helps parents find some certainty about life's highest-stakes questions: How can I know ababy-sitter won't turn out to be someone who harms my child? What should I ask child-care professionals when I interview them? What's the best way to prepare my child for walking to school alone? How can my child be safer at school? How can I spot sexual predators? What should I do if my child is lost in public? How can I teach my child about risk without causing too much fear? What must my teenage daughter know in order to be safe? What must my teenage son know in order to be safe? And finally, in the face of all these questions, how can I reduce the worrying? A generation ago, in Baby and Child Care, Dr. Benjamin Spock told parents that they already possessed most of the important knowledge about their children's health. Similarly, when it comes to predicting violence and protecting children, de Becker demonstrates that you already know most of what you need to know-- parents have, he says, the wisdom of the species. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: The Science of Mom Alice Callahan, 2021-11-23 Now updated! The new edition of this best-selling guide uses science to tackle some of the most important decisions facing new parents—from sleep training and vaccinations to breastfeeding and baby food. Is cosleeping safe? How important is breastfeeding? Are food allergies preventable? Should we be worried about the aluminum in vaccines? Searching for answers to these tough parenting questions can yield a deluge of conflicting advice. In this revised and expanded edition of The Science of Mom, Alice Callahan, a science writer whose work appears in the New York Times and the Washington Post, recognizes that families must make their own decisions and gives parents the tools to evaluate the evidence for themselves. Sharing the latest scientific research on raising healthy babies, she covers topics like the microbiome, attachment, vaccine safety, pacifiers, allergies, increasing breast milk production, and choosing an infant formula. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: The ABCs of Safe and Healthy Child Care Cynthia M. Hale, Jacqueline A. Polder, 2000 |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Oh Crap! Potty Training Jamie Glowacki, 2015-06-16 From potty-training expert and social worker Jamie Glowacki, who’s already helped over half a million families successfully toilet train their preschoolers, comes a newly revised and updated guide that’s “straight-up, parent-tested, and funny to boot” (Amber Dusick, author of Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures). Worried about potty training? Let Jamie Glowacki, potty-training expert, show you how it’s done. Her six-step, proven process to get your toddler out of diapers and onto the toilet has already worked for tens of thousands of kids and their parents. Here’s the good news: your child is probably ready to be potty trained EARLIER than you think (ideally, between 20–30 months), and it can be done FASTER than you expect (most kids get the basics in a few days—but Jamie’s got you covered even if it takes a little longer). If you’ve ever said to yourself: -How do I know if my kid is ready? -Why won’t my child poop in the potty? -How do I avoid “potty power struggles”? -How can I get their daycare provider on board? -My kid was doing so well—why is he regressing? -And what about nighttime?! Oh Crap! Potty Training can solve all of these (and other) common issues. This isn’t theory, you’re not bribing with candy, and there are no gimmicks. This is real-world, from-the-trenches potty training information—all the questions and all the answers you need to do it once and be done with diapers for good. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Positive Discipline for Preschoolers Jane Nelsen, Ed.D., Cheryl Erwin, M.A., Roslyn Ann Duffy, 2007-03-27 Completely updated to report the latest research in child development and learning, Positive Discipline for Preschoolers will teach you how to use methods to raise a child who is responsible, respectful, and resourceful. Caring for young children is one of the most challenging tasks an adult will ever face. No matter how much you love your child, there will be moments filled with frustration, anger, and even desperation. There will also be questions: Why does my four-year-old deliberately lie to me? Why won’t my three-year-old listen to me? Should I ever spank my preschooler when she is disobedient? Over the years, millions of parents just like you have come to trust the Positive Discipline series and its commonsense approach to child-rearing. This revised and updated third edition includes information from the latest research on neurobiology, diet and exercise, gender differences and behavior, the importance of early relationships and parenting, and new approaches to parenting in the age of mass media. In addition, this book offers new information on reducing anxiety and helping children feel safe in troubled times. You’ll also find practical solutions for how to: - Avoid the power struggles that often come with mastering sleeping, eating, and potty training - See misbehavior as an opportunity to teach nonpunitive discipline—not punishment - Instill valuable social skills and positive behavior inside and outside the home by using methods that teach important life skills - Employ family and class meetings to tackle behavorial challenges - And much, much more! |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on the Science of Children Birth to Age 8: Deepening and Broadening the Foundation for Success, 2015-07-23 Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Your Self-Confident Baby Magda Gerber, Allison Johnson, 2002 As the founder of Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), Magda Gerber has spent decades helping new mothers and fathers give their children the best possible start in life. Her successful parenting approach harnesses the power of this basic fact: Your baby is unique and will grow in confidence if allowed to develop at his or her own pace. The key to successful parenting is learning to observe your child and to trust him or her to be an initiator, an explorer, a self-learner with an individual style of problem solving and mastery. ...--Page 4 of cover |
| questions to ask infant daycare: The Tiny Potty Training Book Andrea Olson, 2015-04-30 Just 60 years ago, over 92% of American children were potty trained by 18 months. After disposable diapers and the related message to wait for readiness hit the scene, American kids are now potty training at about 3 years old, leaving parents wondering: When is it okay to potty train? and How do I do it? The Tiny Potty Training Book answers all of these questions and more, empowering parents with accurate information and step-by-step guidance to potty train with confidence at any age. With this book parents can complete potty training in an average of 7 days, without force, coercion, sticker charts, or bribery. Toddlers 18 months and up will gain mastery and dignity through the swift and gentle method laid out in this book, complete with troubleshooting section and access to private support. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Dr. Sandy's Top to Bottom Guide to Your Newborn Sandy L. Chung, 2011 Pediatrician Sandy Chung finds that new parents have so many questions during the first weeks of their baby's life. What's normal? Is my baby okay? Am I doing this right? Her book presents answers in an easy-to-read format, loaded with illustrations and photographs. Topics include how to give a sponge bath, using that huge nasal suction device from the hospital, rashes, birthmarks, and much more-all the issues that affect babies up to one month old. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Positive Discipline A-Z Jane Nelsen, Ed.D., Lynn Lott, H. Stephen Glenn, 2007-03-27 As a parent, you face one of the most challenging—and rewarding—roles of your life. No matter how much you love your child, there will still be moments filled with anger, frustration, and, at times, desperation. What do you do? Over the years, millions of parents just like you have come to trust the Positive Discipline series for its consistent, commonsense approach to child rearing. In this completely updated edition of Positive Discipline A–Z, you will learn how to use methods to raise a child who is responsible, respectful, and resourceful. You’ll find practical solutions to such parenting challenges as: - Sibling Rivalry - Bedtime Hassles - School Problems - Getting Chores Done - ADHD ·Eating Problems - Procrastination - Whining - Tattling and Lying - Homework Battles - And Dozens More! This newly revised and expanded third edition contains up-to-the-minute information on sleeping through the night, back talk, and lack of motivation as well as tips on diet, exercise, and obesity prevention, and new approaches to parenting in the age of computers and cell phones. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing Lorin W. Anderson, David R. Krathwohl, 2001 This revision of Bloom's taxonomy is designed to help teachers understand and implement standards-based curriculums. Cognitive psychologists, curriculum specialists, teacher educators, and researchers have developed a two-dimensional framework, focusing on knowledge and cognitive processes. In combination, these two define what students are expected to learn in school. It explores curriculums from three unique perspectives-cognitive psychologists (learning emphasis), curriculum specialists and teacher educators (C & I emphasis), and measurement and assessment experts (assessment emphasis). This revisited framework allows you to connect learning in all areas of curriculum. Educators, or others interested in educational psychology or educational methods for grades K-12. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: No Bad Kids Janet Lansbury, 2024-04-30 A modern classic on the gentle art of discipline for toddlers, by the internationally renowned childcare expert, podcaster, and author of Elevating Child Care “No Bad Kids provides practical ways to respond to the challenges of toddlerhood while nurturing a respectful relationship with your child.”—Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, co-author of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline Janet Lansbury is unique among parenting experts. As a RIE teacher and student of pioneering child specialist Magda Gerber, her advice is not based solely on formal studies and the research of others, but also on her more than twenty years of hands-on experience guiding hundreds of parents and their toddlers. A collection of her most popular articles about toddler behavior, No Bad Kids presents her signature approach to discipline, which she sees as a parent’s act of compassion and love for a child. Full of wisdom and encouragement, it covers common toddler concerns such as: • Why toddlers need clear boundaries—and how to set them without yelling • What's going on when they bite, hit, kick, tantrum, whine, and talk back • Advice for parenting a strong-willed child • How to be a gentle leader, and Lansbury’s secret for staying calm For parents who are anticipating or experiencing those critical years when toddlers are developmentally obliged to test the limits of our patience and love, No Bad Kids is a practical, indispensable resource for putting respectful discipline into action. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Parenting Guide to Your Baby's First Year Anne Krueger, 2013-06-19 A complete guide to the most important year in your baby’s life! With its timely, in-depth advice and hands-on guidance, Parenting magazine has emerged as the child-care resource of choice for aware, involved parents. Now the editors of Parenting bring you a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute guide to the all-important first year of your baby’s life. With fully illustrated chapters organized in three-month increments from birth to first birthday, Parenting Guide to Your Baby’s First Year provides the essentials on everything you need to know about: Your Baby’s First Hours: How newborns look, act, and feel • Making the most of your hospital stay • Taking your newborn home The Adjustment to Parenthood: Dealing with postpartum blues • The challenging demands of a newborn • Older siblings Feeding Your Growing Child: The pros and cons of breast and bottle • Strategies for dealing with picky eaters • Avoiding mealtime power struggles Child Development: How your baby grows • Mastering motor skills • Baby’s social and emotional life Health & Safety: First-year medical checkups • Baby-proofing your home • Common illnesses of infancy and early childhood Special Concerns: Preventing SIDS • Living with colic • Developmental delays |
| questions to ask infant daycare: 1, 2, 3-- the Toddler Years Irene Van der Zande, Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center, 1993 Shows parents and caregivers how to understand toddlers. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-3) Thelma Harms, Richard M. Clifford, Debby Cryer, 2014-11-01 The long-anticipated new version of the internationally recognized Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale®, ECERS-3, focuses on the full range of needs of preschool- and kindergarten-aged children. This widely used, comprehensive assessment tool measures both environmental provisions and teacher-child interactions that affect the broad developmental needs of young children, including: Cognitive Social-emotional Physical Health and safety ECERS-3 also includes additional Items assessing developmentally appropriate literacy and math activities. Designed for preschool, kindergarten, and child care classrooms serving children 3 through 5 years of age, ECERS-3: Provides a smooth transition for those already using ECERS-R. Emphasizes the role of the teacher in creating an environment conducive to developmental gains. Is designed to predict child outcomes more accurately and with greater precision. Provides a stronger method of distinguishing between good and truly excellent programs. Offers a complete training program with ongoing support available at the Environment Rating Scales Institute (ERSI) website (www.ersi.info). ECERS-3 is appropriate for state and district-wide QRIS and continuous improvement; program evaluation by directors and supervisors; teacher self-evaluation; monitoring by agency staff; and teacher education. The established reliability and long term evidence of validity of the ERS family of instruments make this new version of ECERS particularly useful for RTTT-ELC accountability and research. Suitable for use in inclusive and culturally diverse programs, ECERS-3 subscales evaluate: Space and Furnishings Personal Care Routines Language and Literacy Learning Activities Interaction Program Structure |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Enhancing Relationships Between Children and Teachers Robert C. Pianta, 1999 Enhancing Relationships Between Children and Teachers focuses on the complexity of the child-teacher relationship and how school psychologists and counselors can help teachers to understand the myriad factors involved in their classroom relationships. Pianta uses systems theory to discuss the multiple factors in child-teacher relationships and integrates school, clinical, and developmental psychology. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Sara S. Sparrow, 2016 |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Guidelines for Early Learning in Child Care Home Settings John McLean, Tom Cole, 2010 |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span - E-Book Carole Lium Edelman, Elizabeth Connelly Kudzma, 2017-07-25 Promote health and wellness for all ages and population groups! Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span, 9th Edition provides a comprehensive guide to leading health promotion concepts, from assessment to interventions to application. Its lifespan approach addresses patients' unique needs with case studies and care plans, with an assessment framework based on Gordon's Functional Health Patterns. New to this edition is expanded coverage of genomics and QSEN competencies. Written by nursing experts Carole Edelman and Elizabeth Kudzma, this bestselling text covers all the latest research and trends in health promotion and disease prevention. - Separate chapters on population groups — the individual, family, and community — highlight the unique aspects of assessment and health promotion for each group. - Coverage of growth and development helps you apply health promotion concepts to each age and each stage of development through the lifespan. - Case studies present realistic situations with questions asking you to apply key concepts, and care plans include nursing diagnoses, defining characteristics, related factors, expected outcomes, and interventions. - Quality and Safety Scenario boxes focus on QSEN-related competencies with examples of health promotion. - Innovative Practice boxes outline unique and creative health promotion programs and projects currently being implemented. - Healthy People 2020 boxes present goals and objectives relating to national health issues and priorities. - Research for Evidence-Based Practice boxes summarize current health-promotion studies showing the links between research, theory, and practice. - Diversity Awareness boxes address cultural perspectives relating to planning care. - Hot Topics boxes introduce significant issues, trends, and controversies in health promotion. - Think About It clinical scenarios open each chapter, and include questions to encourage critical thinking. - NEW! An increased focus on genomics reflects scientific evidence supporting the use of genetic tests and family health history to guide public health interventions. - NEW! Expanded discussion of QSEN competencies is included, as related to health promotion. - NEW! Guidelines and recommendations are included from the latest Guide to Clinical Preventive Services from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. - NEW! The latest information about the Affordable Care Act is included. - NEW! Updated photos reflect the latest in health promotion and disease prevention. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Mason's Greatest Gems Chelsea Lee Smith, Elaheh Bos, 2015-11-04 As he does every Saturday afternoon, Mason is digging next to the old swing when he finds a handful of items for his treasure collection... Mason's greatest gems is a story about finding hidden gems inside yourself, with an introduction to the concept of virtues for children.--Back cover. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: The Zones of Regulation Leah M. Kuypers, 2011 ... a curriculum geared toward helping students gain skills in consciously regulating their actions, which in turn leads to increased control and problem solving abilities. Using a cognitive behavior approach, the curriculum's learning activities are designed to help students recognize when they are in different states called zones, with each of four zones represented by a different color. In the activities, students also learn how to use strategies or tools to stay in a zone or move from one to another. Students explore calming techniques, cognitive strategies, and sensory supports so they will have a toolbox of methods to use to move between zones. To deepen students' understanding of how to self-regulate, the lessons set out to teach students these skills: how to read others' facial expressions and recognize a broader range of emotions, perspective about how others see and react to their behavior, insight into events that trigger their less regulated states, and when and how to use tools and problem solving skills. The curriculum's learning activities are presented in 18 lessons. To reinforce the concepts being taught, each lesson includes probing questions to discuss and instructions for one or more learning activities. Many lessons offer extension activities and ways to adapt the activity for individual student needs. The curriculum also includes worksheets, other handouts, and visuals to display and share. These can be photocopied from this book or printed from the accompanying CD.--Publisher's website. |
| questions to ask infant daycare: Resources in Education , 1991-07 |
