Whatever child care option you decide on, an interview with the prospective special needs child care provider is essential. The basic questions, such as those about the day care, daily activities and routines, and child/teacher ratio are the same for all kids, but you’ll also want to converse directly about your child’s specific needs, and what the child care center or caregiver is prepared to do to accommodate them. Remember, you want to see that the focus is on your child as a person, rather than their diagnosis. Aside from basic babysitter, nanny, and day care interview questions, the following are important special needs related questions to keep in mind for the interview:
Family care
An interview with a family member may seem awkward, but it’s an important step to show the importance of the situation. The person being considered for the caregiver role is probably worthy of your trust, but are they ready for the tasks associated with caring for the child? Having the potential caregiver spend several days shadowing you is a great way to determine whether they’re up for the challenge, especially when they get to see your child at his or her best and worst. Be sure to provide detailed instructions, schedules, medication lists and emergency contacts. Give the family member the opportunity to change their mind without feeling guilty about it after they’ve seen the complexity of the situation.
Mature sitter/Nanny/Respite care
Have the providers received training on how to handle your child’s diagnosis and structure activities to meet their developmental stages and special needs? Do they have experience in caring for children with special needs? Can they provide references from other parents of children with special needs who have received care from them? What have been the greatest benefits and joys of working with children with special needs? What were the biggest challenges? How would they handle emergencies?
Licensed child care center/PPEC center
Is the center equipped to accommodate your child’s physical disability or can reasonable measures be taken to accommodate them? Are external services (such as physical, occupational and speech therapy) in place, if needed? Is the provider wiling to integrate those services into your child’s daily routine? What procedures are in place to handle emergencies?
In addition to asking these questions, be sure to provide all of the details about your child’s needs, with examples of what he does and doesn’t enjoy, as well as his/her preferred methods of communicating, specific interests and abilities. Encourage open communication and ask if the child care provider has any questions or concerns to share. Then, post-interview, follow up with the sitter, nanny or day care center’s references.
Christine Koh is a music and brain scientist turned parent and writer about parenting issues for Care.com. She is also the editor of BostonMamas.com .
