Child Care: Questions to Ask About Infant/Toddler In-Home Care

What is in-home care?

In-home care means hiring someone to care for your infant or young toddler in your own home. Your child will be in a familiar place and get lots of personal attention. The caregiver may be a friend, neighbor, relative, or professional nanny. If you hire the person through an agency, a background check should have already been done. Some states have resources that allow you to do background checks. For further information, contact Child Action at 916-369-0191.

Health and Safety

To prepare your home, here are things you should check before you hire a caregiver:

• Does my home have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers? Regular fire drills? Alternate exits?
• Are important phone numbers posted near the phone? (Examples include police, fire, poison control center, hospital, children's physician, ambulance.)
• Will my caregiver always know how to get in touch with both parents?
• Is all baby equipment strong, stable, and in good repair?
• Are the crib slats no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart? Does the crib have bumper pads? Does the mattress firmly abut the side of the crib?
• Do strollers or infant seats have safety harnesses?
• Are the crib and playpen free of toys that could be used to climb out?
• Can all doors, inside the home be opened from the outside at all times?
• Are the outside doors and windows locked?
• Do strong screens or metal bars cover the windows? (especially important above ground level)
• Do all glass doors have decals?
• Are the rooms well ventilated and comfortable year-round?
• Are latched safety gates placed at the top and/or bottom of stairways?
• Are stairways and walkways free from clutter?
• Are small, sharp, or otherwise dangerous items out of reach or locked in a cupboard, drawer, or cabinet? (Examples include pins, thumbtacks, paper clips, matches, lighters, knives, plastic bags, scissors, guns, razor blades, glassware, and appliances.)
• Are poisonous items stored out of reach or locked in cupboards, drawers, or cabinets? (Examples include cleaning products, polish, bleach, medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, aerosol cans, and first aid supplies.)
• Are the home and yard free from poisonous plants?
• Are all foods or drinks within reach safe for my child? (Examples of dangerous foods or beverages: any food that a child could choke on like popcorn or hard candy; beverages that are hot or alcoholic.)
• Does my child know to keep away from dangerous places like the stove or hot water faucets?
• Have furniture and other household objects with sharp corners been padded or removed?
• Do all electrical sockets have protective covers?
• Has attention been paid to objects that could be pulled or knocked over? (Examples include tablecloths, electrical cords, lamps, furniture.)
• Is my child safe around pets? Are pet dishes out of reach?
• Are toys safe, clean, and in good repair?
• Are play surfaces, indoors and out, softened with carpeting or wood chips?
• Is the outdoor area fenced and free of hazards?
• Is the play equipment safe and appropriate for my child's level of development?

Ask your prospective caregiver:

• Can you tell me more about your background and experience?
• What are the ages of children you have cared for and some reasons you enjoy taking care of children? Do you have children of your own?
• How will you get to and from work?
• How will my child be transported if you leave the house?
• How long are you willing to take care of my child?
• Do you smoke? Do you have any health problems?
• Have you had training in first aid and CPR for children?
• What kinds of activities might you plan for my child?
• What are your views on discipline? Meals? Television?
• Will my child receive constant supervision, indoors and out? (Young children should never be left unattended while on a bed, chair, changing table, high chair, stroller, baby walker, baby swing, or in the water; outdoor dangers include swimming pool, pond, garage tools, driveway, streets, kidnapping, wandering off.)
• Will my baby be checked often when in a crib or playpen?
• What would you do if . . . ? (Give examples such as medical and personal emergencies or common kinds of problems with children.)
• Can you give me several references, preferably from former employers?
• What questions do you have for me?

Things to Think About:

Does the caregiver:

• genuinely seem to enjoy cuddling, holding, and talking to my baby?
• welcome my questions and suggestions?
• share my childrearing philosophy?
• take time to share my child's experiences with me?
• remain gentle, yet firm? consistent, yet flexible?
• sensitively handle feelings of fear, shyness, upset, and anger?
• respect my child's unique background and interests?
• really listen and talk to my child?
• seem cheerful, affectionate, and warm?
• have training and experience in early child education?
• kneel or sit at child's eye level?
• actively play with my child, indoors and out?
• emphasize my child's strengths and accomplishments?
• set and consistently maintain limits?
• provide consistent care so my child has a stable, predictable daily routine?

Program

Will the activities the caregiver provides:

• balance active, physical activities with quiet, restful ones?
• provide ample rest and nap times?
• prohibit play that could quickly get out of hand?
• patiently encourage my child to solve some problems on their own?
• help my child deal with feelings constructively?
• provide a well-defined, predictable schedule of daily activities?
• balance structured and unstructured activities?
• encourage language development?

Meals

• Is my caregiver knowledgeable about my baby's food requirements and feeding schedule?
• Is my child allowed to leave food on the plate? (Children should never be forced to eat.)