Childcare Possibilities - What to ask?
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Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14375
Printed Date: 11 October 2025 at 11:47am
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Topic: Childcare Possibilities - What to ask?
Posted By: MissCandice
Subject: Childcare Possibilities - What to ask?
Date Posted: 10 February 2008 at 8:31pm
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Hey.
I have a couple of possible candidates as inhome childcarers.. Just wondering what do i ask/say? I know i will get there and my mind will go blank? Ok so i know to ask for their references. What do i ask them? What else do i ask the possible candidates? Am i going overboard when i ask them if they smoke, have pets, how old other children are, have a fenced yard, have a toddler proofed house, if they are travelling by car a registered and warrented car, where she will sleep, what sort of bed? Also do i take our on portacot? Thanks for those who can answer! ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Replies:
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 10 February 2008 at 8:43pm
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I think you have to ask all of those questions to get an idea of things. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 10 February 2008 at 8:45pm
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It sounds as though you have plenty of good questions and I don't think you can be too overboard asking questions- you need to feel 100% comfortable with who you decide on. If you're worried about forgetting to ask the Q's once you are there, then I'd say to write them down and take them with you.
Best of luck!!!!  -------------  My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 10 February 2008 at 9:00pm
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When I was finding a carer for Ella I just talked to them about themselves and got a bit of their background (i.e. how long they had been an educator, why they wanted to do it etc), looked around their home, asked about pets, other children, normal day-to-day activities, toddler/baby proofing the house, First aid training (if you are going thru an agency then they should provide first aid training for all educators), talked about the agency provided and what follow up they did. I brought Ella with me and observed how they interacted with her. We also talked about Ella's routine and what sort things she likes to do. For the educator I choose, I also went back with Ella to meet her children (they weren't there for the first meeting, but would be normally home while Ella was there) and to see how they were with her. You could also the agency or educator if you can speak to the parents of any other children that the educator looks after. They should be able to provide the portacot and you provide the bedding. Good luck ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: baalamb
Date Posted: 10 February 2008 at 9:39pm
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You might find that they will offer you information before you even start asking questions! Ashlee's very first educator had a bunch of questions to ask also, so it's likely that you'll both be thinking much the same things (well, hopefully!).
Our current educator has ALL of her own portacot/pram/carseat etc etc. But the first educator didn't, so it probably will vary. And you're definitely not going overboard. It's your child's safety you're concerned about and that is paramount. |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 10 February 2008 at 9:44pm
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Thanks, its really scary thinking that i have to leave her with someone i dont know! How did anyone ever manage.
Also would you personally consider placing your baby with someone private? I have 2 people that are not registered through like pose or anything but have references and other children. One sounds really good, her last placement was twin boys she cared for for 3 years. Shes willing to pick Kylah up in the morning and has 2 other children she cares for. She has a room set up with portacots etc. I just feel a little uneasy that shes not 'with' a company.. ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: miss
Date Posted: 10 February 2008 at 11:29pm
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That is an interesting thing to ask Kylah.
i have considered going in to looking after a child for a bit of extra money, but the agency thing puts me off. I am looking after a friends little boy at the moment and don't think i will continue once his mum finishes her contrat as it isn't me, but I am an experienced early chilhood worker and trained teacher, so I think that I woudl be a great catch if I did go ahead. ANyway, i just wanted to point out that some people like me wouldn't be bothered with an agency as to be honest, i feel experienced enough and would rather get all the hourly money rather than dish some of it to an agency. SO if you can find someone you like that is experienced with good references, then I would go with it. References would be the key for me int he end I think. -------------  
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Posted By: AuntieSarah
Date Posted: 11 February 2008 at 8:06am
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I definitely think all your questions should be asked - although if you did go through somewhere like porse or kidstart (barnardos) then they'd check on the fencing, first aid, etc etc.
The difference between a private nanny and somewhere like porse is that porse have ec teachers visiting the caregivers, helping them with ideas if they need help with the children etc. Porse caregivers also have to fill out a book for your child with what they've been doing, observations etc, and are also encouraged to continue training. It's also more of a support network, and you are able to talk to the programme tutor about issues as well. There are lots of outings and events too, and a weekly playgroup with other nannies and children so they get that large group interaction as well. Of course there's always nannies who are very well trained who aren't through an agency, might be quite hard to find though. I guess having the company as back up would give me peace of mind. |