There are so many things to remember as a new parent. Here is a suggested checklist of things to discuss with anyone who cares for your child:
- Are you a state-licensed facility? (You can check with DHHS for a list of state licensed providers.)
- Is everyone who will be caring for my child CPR certified?
- What is your children-to-provider ratio? (Licensed providers in Nebraska should have at least one provider per four children. Unlicensed home providers may serve no more than four children.)
- Does anyone at your facility smoke? No smoking around my child will be tolerated.
- What is your plan in case of an emergency (fire, tornado, etc.)?
- Is your continuing education about SIDS and safe sleep guidelines current?
- I would like to make sure that my child is placed on his/her back in a crib that has no bumper pads, no blankets, and no stuffed animals during naptime. Do you have any questions about these rules?
- What would a day be like for my child at your daycare facility?
- Do you provide daily reports on what my child ate, when he/she slept, etc.?
- Is every child at your daycare current on vaccinations?
- Do you participate in a program where I can log on to a website and look in on my child?
- What are your guidelines when dropping off and picking up my child?
- What is your sick child policy?
- What is your policy on administering medicine to children?
- Please try to encourage supervised tummy time when my baby is awake so that his/her neck and arm muscles grow strong.