Questions to Ask a Reference

[JabbaJawz]

One last thing to do before finalizing my new daycare provider is to call her references. I plan to make the calls this week, but would like some hints on what to ask them.

Obviously I'll ask if they've had problems with her, etc..., but are there other pertinent questions that I should ask? I did a search online, but only came up with questions to ask the actual provider - which I've already done and therefore don't need. The references are parents of children that currently attend the daycare, and one parent whose child attended a few years ago.

 

[Dymphna]

How long have you known them?

Do you have kids and did the provider ever watch them? (not all references are parents/clients, some are just friends)

Have you ever watched the provider interact with the children?

Does your child enjoy being there?

Have you ever had reservations about something the provider did/didn't do?

How has the provider dealt with problems, either disipline problems, the child's concerns, the parent's concerns? Were you happy with how the issue was resolved?

 

[JabbaJawz]

Thanks, cmcdanal!