Our baby hasn't even arrived yet & I hate that I'm already having to think about leaving him. But, in order to ensure that we find the right place for him come September, it's important to start the search early. Luckily, John & I will be home together with the baby for the first 6 weeks- if he arrives on time. Since it is only my second year at Liberty, I did not have much sick time to use for my maternity leave, so 4 weeks of my leave will be paid and 2 weeks will be unpaid. As long as I'm healed & healthy, I will return to work on June 4th- luckily there will only be 3 weeks of school left & I will then have two whole months with our son :) John has much more sick time accrued & therefore was able to take a leave from our due date through the end of the school year, entirely paid. He will be home with baby for three weeks while I finish up the school year. So, luckily for us, baby won't have to start daycare until he is 4 months & change.
We've decided that we want him in a small, in-home daycare. We like the idea of him in a smaller setting with a maximum of 5-7 other kids and in a home-like environment, with one provider all day long. (Not looking to put down larger daycare centers at all, just what we prefer). I asked around at work and talked with my friends who have kids and came up with a few names of providers in the area. My first interview with a provider is this Wednesday so I've been working on questions to ask. Soon-to-be and Been-There-Done-That Parents please feel free to comment & let me know what I'm forgetting!!
What is the routine of a typical day?
As of right now, what are/will be the ages children (and in the fall)?
What is your maximum capacity?
What happens if a child is sick?
Are you certified in first aid/infant CPR?
What sanitary practices do you follow?
Are the children always supervised- even during sleeping/napping?
Do you have any pets/animals in the home?
What are your "emergency plans" (fire or child injury)?
What happens if you are sick or on vacation?
Do you ever leave home with the children/drive them anywhere?
What is your policy on administering medications?
Where will my baby sleep?
What materials/tools do you provide and what will I need to bring?
Payment options? Check? Cash? Biweekly?
Do you charge for days when the baby is "absent" due to sickness or vacation?
How much do you charge if I'm late picking up?
Do you provide bills/receipts for income tax credits?
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As a post script of sorts, and probably more for myself than anyone, I need to say that if I had my way I would be a stay-at-home mom until our kids went to school. I never thought I would feel that way but as I get farther and farther into my pregnancy, all I can think about is wanting to spend as much time as possible with our son. There is nothing I would love more than to be with my baby every minute of the day. It would be great if I had the kind of job where I could work from home or part-time but it's not in the nature of public education. Unfortunately, student loans, car payments, insurance, and the mortgage would not get paid on one salary alone. It wouldn't be a matter of just cutting a few luxuries; we would not be able to provide for our family with me at home. I have to keep telling myself this because sometimes I feel so guilty for not being able to stay home. Luckily, I will have the two blissful months of summer every year & I will just have to make the most of those :)
