Sample Questions-visit and interview 

Sample questions for a visit and interview at the centre

Name of Centre

  1. For the centre supervisor:
  2. What methods of communication with parents do you use?
  3. What is your policy on drop-in visits?
  4. Will my child have one primary caregiver?
  5. Is there a parents committee?
  6. What are the centre's philosophy and goals?
  7. How do you prevent illness from spreading?
  8. Do the staff have first aid and CPR training?
  9. Have you had any serious occurrences in the past year? Specify.
  10. What is the registration fee?
  11. Is it refundable?
  12. What is your method of payment, cash or cheque (payable to whom)?
  13. How much notice is required for termination?
  14. Do I pay regular fees for statutory holidays?
  15. What are the centre closures?
  16. Do I pay regular fees for sick days?
  17. How many unpaid vacation days do you allow?
  18. Is there anything I need to supply for my child's care?
  19. May I see your license, annual report, written guidelines or policies?
  20. May I have the names of two current or former parents as references?

For the teachers/caregivers:

  1. Do you have a regular schedule?
  2. How closely do you follow it?
  3. What activities do you do every day with the children?
  4. What kind of toys and/or equipment do you have for my child?
  5. Do you use television/videos in your program? How often?
  6. How much time do you spend outdoors?
  7. What are your indoor/outdoor safety rules for my child's age group?
  8. Under what circumstances would you call me at work/school?
  9. May I see the weekly menu?
  10. How closely do you follow it?
  11. When and where will my child sleep?
  12. Does each child have their own bedding?
  13. What happens if my child doesn't want to sleep?
  14. How do you deal with a child who cries with his/her parents leave?
  15. What methods of discipline do you find work best for a child in my child's age group?
  16. How do you help children feel good about themselves?
  17. Tell me about the children in your group.
  18. What do you enjoy most about working with young children and their families? What do you enjoy the least?

Home Care Sample questions for a visit and interview

Name of potential caregiver.

  1. What are your fees? How and when are they to be paid?
  2. When are receipts given?
  3. How much notice is required for termination?
  4. What hours do you offer care?
  5. Option for care outside regular hours?
  6. Do I pay for statutory holidays or sick days?
  7. What are your closure days?
  8. How long and when is your vacation?
  9. How many weeks unpaid vacation do you allow each family?
  10. When you are ill, who's responsibility is it to find alternative care?
  11. What is your policy regarding a child's illness?
  12. Are there any supplies I need to provide for my child's care?
  13. What methods of communication with parents do you use?
  14. What is your policy on drop-in visits?
  15. Do you have personal liability insurance? Household insurance? Car insurance?
  16.  Do you have an emergency location?
  17. What activities with children do you enjoy the most? Which do you enjoy the least?
  18. Do you have a regular schedule? Please describe it.
  19. What toys/equipment do you have available for my child?
  20. How much time do you spend outdoors?
  21. How have you child-proofed your home?
  22. Can I tour your entire home?
  23. What are your safety rules for indoors and outdoors?
  24. Do the children watch television every day? Do you limit how much time they watch?
  25. Do you monitor their television time?
  26. Under what circumstances would you call me at work?
  27. How do you try to prevent illnesses from spreading?
  28. Do you have a menu plan?
  29. How closely do you follow it?
  30. When and where will my child sleep?
  31. Will my child have his/her own bedding?
  32. How do you deal with a child who cries when his/her parent leaves?
  33. What methods of discipline do you find work best for a child in my child's age group?
  34. Tell me about the other children you care for.
  35. What do you like best about caregiving? What do you like the least?
  36. How does your family support you in caregiving?
  37. Do you have any other supports, ie: resource centres?
  38. When do you do your housework?
  39. Who else will be in the home while my child is in care.
  40. When can I meet them?
  41. May I have the names of two current or former parents as references