Interviewing Child Care Provider

Parent’s Guide to Child Care 

Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho

Telephone Interview Questions for Child Care Centers
Name of center:
Phone number:
Name of person answering the questions:
Address:


Tell the person answering the phone your name and the age of the child
needing care. Ask if he or she has time to answer a few questions. If not,
ask when it would be a good time to call back.


1. Do you have any openings?
If not, do you anticipate having openings in the near future?
2. Is the center licensed?
By whom?
3. Is the center accredited?
If not, does the center plan to pursue accreditation?
4. What is the cost per week? $
What does this include? (e.g., snacks, meals, diapers)
5. Are there any extra costs?
6. Is transportation available?
To and from what locations?
7. What days and hours is care available?
8. Does the center close for vacations, holidays, staff training, or other
reasons?
9. Is sick care available?
What are the policies regarding sick children?
10. How many children in each group?
8 Parent’s Guide to Child Care Licensing
Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho
11. How many caregivers for each group?
12. What is the total number of caregivers in the center?
13. How many caregivers have left the center during the past year?
14. What are the education and training requirements for the caregivers?
15. What meals are served?
16. Is there a safe outside play area?
17. What are some sample activities that my child would be involved in?
18. How does the center communicate the curriculum to the parents?
19. Is there a weekly and/or daily written plan available to parents?
20. Does the center provide written policies?
21. Are parents permitted to visit their children unannounced at any time
during the day?

Add other questions you may have:
If the basic information sounds like it will meet your needs, ask when you
can visit. Be sure to make your appointment for a time the children will be
present.

• Sounds O.K.
• Maybe
• Not for me
• Date and time for visit
• Directions

Telephone Interview Questions for Child Care Homes

Name of caregiver:
Phone number:
Address:

Tell the caregiver your name and the age of the child needing care. Ask if
he or she has time to answer a few questions. If not, ask when it would be a
good time to call back.


1. Do you have any openings?
If not, do you anticipate having openings in the near future?
2. Is your home licensed?
By whom?
3. Is your home accredited?
If not, do you plan to pursue accreditation?
4. What is the cost?
What does this include? (e.g., snacks, meals, diapers)
Are there any extra costs?
5. What days and hours is care available?
6. If you are sick or on vacation, are there provisions for backup care?
7. What do you do when a child is sick?
8. How many other children are cared for in your home?
(See page 6 for recommended staff/child ratios)
9. What meals are served?
10. Is there a safe outside play area?
11. What are some sample activities that my child would be involved in?
10 Parent’s Guide to Child Care Licensing
Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho
12. Are parents permitted to visit unannounced any time during the day?
Add other questions you may have:
If the basic information sounds like it will meet your needs, ask when you
can visit. Be sure to make your appointment for a time the children will be
present.
• Sounds O.K.
• Maybe
• Not for me
• Date and time for visit Directions
On-Site Interview Checklist
Center/Home provider:
Phone number:
Address:

How does it LOOK? 

1. Is it clean, colorful, and in good repair?
2. Is there a safe outside place to play?
3. Is it "child proof"?
Medicines and cleaning supplies are out of reach.
The fire evacuation plan is satisfactory.
Electrical outlets are covered or above children's reach.
4. Are there different areas for each activity and are you satisfied with the
amount of space for each?
5. Are there at least 35 square feet per child of usable playroom floor space
11 Parent’s Guide to Child Care Licensing
Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho
inside and at least 75 square feet per child of outside play space?
6. Are there sufficient numbers and a variety of toys that will appeal to your
child and that are in good condition?
7. Are the meals nutritious? Do they include foods your child will eat? (Ask
to see a weekly menu.)
How does it SOUND?
1. Do the children's voices sound happy and are they at a reasonable noise
level?
2. Are the caregivers' voices calm and caring?
3. Is there children's music or singing at some time during the day?

The STAFF:

1. Are the caregivers actively involved with the children, not talking to each
other, doing paperwork, or "chores"?
2. Are good health habits followed (hand washing, diaper changing)?
3. Are the parents encouraged to make unscheduled visits?
4. Do the caregivers establish rules that children can follow?
5. Do the caregivers spend time holding and talking to the children?
6. Are the caregivers warm and friendly toward the children?
7. Do the caregivers treat each child as an individual?
8. Is there a schedule of activities posted?
9. Is the discipline fair and consistent without yelling or hitting?
10. Are the children supervised at all times?
11. Do the caregivers talk to the children frequently, pleasantly, and in a
way the children can understand?
12 Parent’s Guide to Child Care Licensing
Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho

The CHILDREN: 

1. Do the children seem to be comfortable, happy, and enjoying
themselves?
2. Are the children encouraged to be independent, allowed to "do it
myself"?
3. Is there a balanced schedule that includes active and quiet times, group
and individual times, and indoor and outdoor play?
4. Are the children comforted when needed?
5. Are the children actively engaged in a variety of "hands-on" activities
appropriate to their age and interests?
6. Are the children allowed to make choices among a variety of activities
and learning opportunities?

How do YOU Feel? 

1. Do you feel your child will be well cared for?
2. Do you feel the home/center is safe and cheerful?
3. Do you feel your child can learn here?
4. Would you feel comfortable leaving your child here?
5. Would you feel comfortable calling or visiting unannounced at any time?
6. Would you feel comfortable talking and working with the caregivers?
If, after the visit, you are considering sending your child to this center or
home, ask for several references, preferably parents of children already
participating. You will want to contact these parents and ask them about
their experiences with the center/home.