10 Questions to Ask a New Childcare Provider: A Former CPS Worker’s Perspective

Choosing a childcare provider can feel overwhelming, especially when the safety and well-being of your children are at stake. 

My extensive experience comes from my time with Child Protective Services (CPS), working in early childhood education and private childcare, and now my expertise comes from my journey as a mother raising five children. This comprehensive background has given me unique insights into child development and family dynamics from multiple perspectives - as a professional advocate for children, educator, caregiver, and parent. I have seen it all, from the good and the bad situations that every parent prays to avoid. Before entrusting your child’s care to someone else, it is essential to ask the right questions. 

Whether you’re exploring a childcare facility, hiring an in-home provider, or vetting a babysitter or Aupair, asking the right questions is the key to your child’s safety and well-being. Interview questions help parents understand the potential caregivers and understand their compatibility with their family as well as their professional capabilities and experience. From my perspective, the more informed you are, the better prepared you’ll be to make a confident decision. It’s important to be thorough—this decision impacts not just your child, but your peace of mind as well.

Here are the top areas with the specific questions I recommend every parent ask before saying “yes” to a childcare provider.

What Is Your Experience and Background in Childcare?

These questions aren’t just about their résumé—it’s about gauging their confidence and familiarity with children of your child’s age group. 

Start with the basics:

• How long have you been working with children?

• What are your operating hours?

• What is your preferred pedagogy or instructional approach (such as Montessori that is child-led)?

• Do you use a specific curriculum?

  
  

For an individual provider: 

• What specific training have you taken?

• Can you describe past roles you’ve had related to childcare? 

• Have you worked with infants?

• Have you supported children with impairments or disabilities? If so, to what extent? 

  
  

For a care facility:

• What are your required qualifications for staff members and their turnover rates?

• What are the classroom’s staff-to-child ratios per age category?

How Do You Handle Emergencies?

This is one of the most revealing questions you can ask. The answer should give you a sense of whether they have thought through emergency scenarios and have a clear plan. A provider who stumbles over these questions or gives vague answers might not be as prepared as you’d like. This can also be an opportunity to collaborate with the provider and create a plan for handling unexpected emergencies.

For an individual provider: 

• Have you had formal education or certifications, such as CPR and first aid? 

• Do you, or will you, have a first aid kit readily available?

• Can you explain how you would handle common emergencies like a choking incident or a fall?

• Discuss your family’s emergency plan specific to your house and community. 

  
  

For a care facility:

• What are your facility's disaster plans, evacuation plans, and active shooter scenarios plans?

• How do you notify parents during emergencies? 

• How do the staff and children train for these emergencies? 

What Does a Typical Day Look Like For Children in Your Care?

Consistency is crucial for children. This question gives you insight into their daily routine, including meals, naps, playtime, and learning activities. A proficient provider will have a schedule that balances structure with flexibility, ensuring your child has time to learn, explore, and rest.

For an individual provider or a care facility:

• How do you plan to incorporate my child’s unique needs or preferences into the routine?

How Do You Approach Discipline?

Every parent has their own philosophy on discipline. It’s essential that your childcare provider implements discipline that aligns with your family’s views on discipline. Are they patient and nurturing or do they lean toward stricter methods? The goal is to find a provider who either shares your values or is willing to support and reinforce them.

For an individual provider or a care facility:

• How do you handle tantrums, behavioral challenges, or sensory  

• sensitivities?

• Do you implement positive and negative reinforcement? 

• What role do time-outs, redirection, or other forms of correction play in your approach?

  
  

For a care facility:

• Is there a code of conduct or handbook for parents and children? 

Can You Provide References?

Any reputable childcare provider should be able to provide references. These can give you a clearer picture of their strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance

For an individual provider: 

• Do you have references from families you’ve worked with in the past?

• If speaking to a former client, ask specific questions about reliability, communication, and how their child responded specifically to the care.

For a care facility:

• Can I see parent reviews or speak with current or past parents? 

• Is there a performance review of the facility available for parents or a rating from an accreditation agency? 

What Are Your Policies on Illnesses?

With young children, illnesses are inevitable. That’s why it’s critical to know how a provider handles sick kids, both yours and others they care for. An ideal provider will be transparent about their approach to health and wellness. 

For an individual provider: 

• Do you provide care for sick children? 

• Can you administer medication? 

• Are there specific methods you use for cleaning and preventing illnesses?

For a care facility:

• What is your policy for sending sick children home?

• Can the facility administer medication? 

• How does the center prevent the spread of illnesses?

How Do You Communicate with Parents?

Communication is the cornerstone of a successful parent-provider relationship. Whether it’s daily updates about what your child ate or a quick text about a scraped knee, you want someone who keeps you informed.

Open communication can ease a lot of anxiety, especially for parents who are new to leaving their child in someone else’s care.

For an individual provider or a care facility:

• How do you communicate with parents? 

• Do you prefer phone calls, texts, or apps like Brightwheel?

• Will you send regular updates, pictures, or progress reports?

What Are Your Safety and Security Measures?

This is non-negotiable. Whether your child will be in a home or a facility, their safety should be a top priority. 

For an individual provider or a care facility:

• Does the potential caregiver, other members of a caregiver’s household, or facility staff have thorough background checks? 

• What is included in your background checks? (Does it cover state criminal and sex offender registries, state child abuse and neglect registry, FBI fingerprint check, and National Sex Offender Registry?).

• What is supervision like during outdoor play or trips outside the home or facility?

• Are there pets, firearms, or other potential hazards in the home or facility? 

• What are parent pick-up procedures and how do they ensure my child’s safety?

• What is the policy on visitors and what safety measures are in place? 

• Are areas secured with locks?

• Does the caregiver’s home or facility have a security system or cameras? 

• Are the cameras accessible to parents while away from the care space through a login and password? (And if so, how is this secured from predators?).

What Do You Love About Working with Children?

This question might catch them off guard, but it’s one of my favorites. The way they respond can give you a glimpse into their heart and motivations. Look for someone who lights up when talking about their work. A genuine passion for children and their development will often translate into higher-quality care.

Are You Open to Trial Periods or Unannounced Visits?

Trust takes time to build and a trial period can be a great way to ease into a new arrangement. Ask if they’re willing to let you observe or even participate in caregiving before committing.

For long-term care, ask if they’re comfortable with unannounced visits, cameras, and random check-ins. Providers who are confident in their practices shouldn’t have an issue with you stopping by or checking in unexpectedly.

Bonus Tip: Trust Your Gut

I know firsthand that intuition is a powerful tool. If something doesn’t feel right—whether it’s the tone of their answers or the atmosphere of the space—don’t ignore it. Your child’s safety and happiness are worth taking the time to find the perfect fit.

Finding a childcare provider is no small task, but asking these questions can help you feel more confident in your decision. Remember, it’s about finding someone who will love and care for your child in a way that feels like an extension of your family.

From one experienced parent to another, you’ve got this!

Military Installation Child Care Resources

Choosing the right child care is an important decision, and as military families, we have some unique resources to support us. Before you decide, it’s worth exploring what your installation offers—there’s a lot more available than you might think!

Here are two great programs you might want to consider when looking into child care or finding support for your family:

Family Child Care (FCC) Program

If you’re looking for a smaller, home-like setting for your child, check out your installation’s Family Child Care (FCC) Program. FCC providers offer care in their homes, which are certified and inspected regularly to ensure they’re safe and developmentally appropriate. These caregivers also undergo thorough background checks and receive paid professional development to stay current on educational trends.

Availability can depend on how many providers are certified at your installation, so reach out early. Start by checking with your local Army Parent Central Services or Air Force Force Support Squadron office for details.

Babysitter Training

If you have a teenager or adult dependent interested in babysitting—or if you’ve found a sitter who could benefit from training—your installation might have just the program for you! Many locations offer babysitter training through Child and Youth Services (CYS), Parent Central, or even the Red Cross.

At USAG Humphreys, for example, participants in a past course earned their spot on the official babysitter list and received Red Cross Adult and Child CPR certification. Programs vary by installation, but it’s always worth asking about available training opportunities!

Where to Get Started

Each installation is unique, so here’s a quick list of where to find childcare resources in Korea:

• Humphreys: Family Child Care Program in Parent Central at Maude Hall, BLDG 6400

• Osan: Family Child Care Program at the Family Readiness Center, BLDG 916

• Daegu: Parent Central Office at the Child Development Center (CDC), Camp Walker BLDG S-223

• Chinhae: Child and Youth Programs at Fleet and Family Support Center, BLDG 702

Child care is a big decision, but you don’t have to make it alone. Take advantage of the resources and programs available at your installation to find the best fit for your family!

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.