Parent Daycare Seeker Checklist

• Do only same sex workers take children to the restroom (men take boys/women take girls)?
• Have all workers received adequate and ongoing training? Are there more adults than teenage workers?
• Is there a sick policy (children not allowed with runny noses, fever, diarrhea or cough in the last 48 hours)
• Are choking hazard snacks eliminated from toddlers’ snack menu?
• Are healthy snacks given to children?
• Are children dismissed only to parents or authorized (in writing) persons?
• How is the progress of students assessed?
• How are students disciplined?
• Is there a solid curriculum for the class and the entire program?
• Is there a daily or weekly schedule for the duration of the time the children are in your care?
• Are emergency procedures in place?
• Have ALL workers been given state and federal background checks?
• Do the toys and equipment look new? How often are they sanitized?
• What is the teacher/student ratio?
• Are parental forms on file for each child?
• Is there a bathroom in the classroom? Are there child-sized commodes?
• Is the outdoor play area gated? Is the equipment safe?
• What is the diversity of the students?
• Is there a handbook and/or guidelines available for parents to view?
• Is the building capacity in effect or are too many children in the facility?
• Do all staff members have CPR training?
• Are there first-aid kits in all of the classrooms?
• Does the front door (and other entrances) remain locked or can strangers just walk in the building?

(Adopted from a fellow mom: L.H.)

Newborn Must Haves Checklist

What do I really need?

Sleeping

*Crib, co-sleeper, or play yard

*Bedding

* 2 blankets

Diapering

Be sure to choose the appropriate size based on the baby's weight.

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*Diapers

*Wipes

*Diaper Pail (I recommend Diaper Dekor)

Feeding

*High chair or compact booster seat (I recommend the Bumbo)

*2 feeding bowls

*4 feeding spoons

*4 bottles with appropriate flow nipples

*Bottle Sterilizer

*2 sippy cups

If nursing:

*Breastpump (I recommend Medela Free Style)

*Manual Hand pump (It's a must!)

*Nursing cover

Clothing

*6 white onesies

*6 t-shirt type onesies

*4 shorts and pants

*8 sleep and play with ZIPPERs not snaps

*4 pairs of socks

Safety and Bathing

*Car seat

*Stroller

*2 washcloths

*2 hooded towels

Pediatrician Considerations

Everyone wants to choose the perfect pediatrician for their child, right? Well here are some things to consider:

*Distance from home or child care provider

*Sole proprietor practice or are there multiple doctors

*Well and sick waiting room

*Lactation nurse

*After hours nurse or hotline

*Pediatrician's education and time in field

What other things are important to you? Post your response. Share knowledge.

Choosing a pediatrician

Are you the only physician in this practice? If you share a practice, will I always see you?

How long have you been practicing?

What would you say influences your medical advice and views that most?

Does a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) work in your office?

Do you have evening or Saturday hours?

How do you (practice) respond to emergency calls?

Do you charge for after hours phone calls or pages?

Do you return every call personally?

Is there a lactation nurse affiliated with your office?

Which hospital are you affiliated with?

What is the scheduled length of your appointments? And how far apart are they scheduled?

How often do you want to see the baby in the first year?

Do you have a "Sick-child" waiting room?

Please add to this list if you have some helpful questions for other moms to ask when choosing a pediatrician.

Share knowledge.