An article in yesterday's New York Times by Vivian Yee about a tragedy in an unlicensed daycare made me decide to write this Blog. Some daycare programs are good, some are bad, and some are just plain awful. I can remember visiting one where the children were dirty and the place actually smelled. So when looking for a daycare, the first thing to do is lots of networking and asking questions. Is the daycare licensed, are the staff members fingerprinted and cleared medically? One particular question to ask is if the staff members have had recent chest X-rays and a note from their physicians stating there were no medical problems. I would also ask about the ratio of adults to children and is an ill child sent home? Do the children take naps and do all the staff know CPR? Also, how far away is the nearest hospital and is the ER there equipped to care for children; not all ERs have pediatric equipment.
I would also drop in one to two times to see how the children seem before making a final decision about a daycare. You can never be too careful and even after you place a child in one, do drop in now and then or have a friend or relative do so.
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