Home Interview: What You Need to Ask
The questions you ask the parents during the interview are just as important as what the parents ask you. You want to find out if the family would be a good fit for your service.
Here are some suggested questions:
- Has your child been in childcare before? If so, for how long? Why are you changing?
- How long do you expect to need childcare?
- Does your child have any known health issues?
- Does your child have any special needs (allergies, etc.)? Most often, parents will tell you right away, but make sure you ask just in case.
- Are you (or a designated person) able to pick up the child in case of accident or emergency?
- What is your child interested in? What type of eater is your child? These are questions the child can answer, if they are old enough
- What type of sleep schedule does the child have or not?
- Does your child have any behavioural problems? Most parents will tell the truth, although some may not.
- What do you expect of a childminder?
- Do you have back-up care? If you do not provide this, make sure the parents are aware of your policy right away.
- Are you willing to sign a contract? Because you are a professional childminder with a business, it is important that you treat it as such. Some parents may baulk at the thought, but it is the only way that you have to protect yourself.