Telephone Interview Questions for Child Care Centers

Name of center:  ______________________________________

Phone number:  _______________________________________

Address:   ____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Tell the person answering the phone your name and the age of the child needing care. Ask if he or she has time to answer a few questions. If not, ask when it would be a good time to call back.

1. Do you have any openings? If not, do you anticipate having openings in the near future?
2. Is the center licensed? By whom?
3. What is the cost per week? $ What does this include? (e.g., snacks, meals, diapers)
4. Are there any extra costs?
5. Is transportation available? To and from what locations?
6. What days and hours is care available?
7. Does the center close for vacations, holidays, staff training, or other reasons?
8. Is sick care available? What are the policies regarding sick children?
9. How many children in each group?
10. How many caregivers for each group? (See Section 2 for recommended staff/child ratios)
11. What is the total number of caregivers in the center?
12. How many caregivers have left the center during the past year?
13. What are the education and training requirements for the caregivers?
14. What meals are served?
15. Is there a safe outside play area?
16. What are some sample activities that my child would be involved in?
17. How does the center communicate the curriculum to the parents?
18. Is there a weekly and/or daily written plan available to parents?
19. Does the center provide written policies?
20. Are parents permitted to visit their children unannounced at any time during the day?

Add other questions you may have.

If the basic information sounds like it will meet your needs, ask when you can visit. Be sure to make your appointment for a time the children will be present. Are the sounds in the background O.K., i.e., are many children crying in the background?