Whether you’re considering a daycare facility or someone who runs a daycare out of their home, it’s important that you ask lots of questions. Here are some important questions to ask daycare providers you’re considering:
 
 
* How long has this facility been in business?
 
* What are your hiring procedures?
 
* What is your staff turnover rate?
 
* Is your facility licensed and/or accredited? Does it meet all local and requirements?
 
* Have all staff and caregivers submitted to background and criminal checks? How were the checks done?
 
* What is the caregiver to child ratio?
 
* May I drop in anytime?
 
* What are your hours of operation? Do you charge extra if I’m late picking my child up?

* What is your policy regarding sick kids?

* What is your discipline policy?

* What types of meals and snacks do you serve?

* What are your security/safety policies?
 
* What is the policy when a child is hurt or falls ill? Will I be called? What if they can’t reach me?
 
* Are the caregivers CPR qualified?
 
* What happens when we want to take a vacation? Do we still have to pay for daycare even when my child is not at daycare?

Questions to ask when looking for infant daycare:

* What things do I have to provide? Diapers? Wipes? Milk/Food? Blankets?

* Will my infant have his/her own crib?

* Will the daycare provider be able to follow my infant’s schedule?
 
For in home daycare you may also want to ask:
 
* Why did you decide to start offering daycare services?
 
* If you are sick or have an appointment is there a backup that will watch the children or will I be forced to find alternative childcare?

* How much vacation will you take each year? How far in advance will I be given notice so that I can make alternative arrangements for childcare?

* Are there any pets in the home?
 
* Do you have any of your own children at home? 

Hopefully we’ve been able to help with these questions to ask potential daycare providers. Remember, if the daycare provider you’re interviewing is not willing to answer them or you don’t feel they’re being open and honest, KEEP LOOKING.

We’re dog lovers so we understand how important it is when bringing home a new baby that things go well. If you’re faced with this situation a great article to help you out is Your new “Pack Member”: Introducing Your Dog to a New Baby by Martin Guerra.

Hope you find it useful!

If you’re pregnant you’ve probably heard many times that you shouldn’t eat certain types of fish because they contain too much mercury. The fear is that mercury poisioning can affect a child’s mental development. In fact new research shows that mercury may be a leading cause of autism.

However, investigators seeking to measure the deleterious effects of prenatal mercury exposure were surprised to find that the children, years afterward, seemed perfectly normal.

They expected at the minimum to find developmental damage in the children of women who, when pregnant, ate fish with the highest mercury levels. But when they looked at the children years later there were almost no differences between kids whose moms had a lot of mercury in their bodies and those who moms had almost none.

As with all things though, moderation is still best. Mercury is certainly not good for you or your unborn child so don’t overdo it. But at least it’s good to know that occasionally eating fish is not harming your baby.

Your belly’s bulging, your feet are swollen and you have to pee every 5 minutes. Oh the things we do for our babies!

If you’re pregnant and seriously in need of some pampering, here’s four great ways to get started:

Create an at home spa - Most of us can’t afford hundreds of dollars for a day at the spa. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have all of the same benefits at home. Buy several different body treatments such as face masks, body lotions, hair treatments and foot creams and treat yourself to a few hours of uninterrupted bliss. If the man in your life is willing have him give you a back, leg or foot massage for a true spa experience.

Get a pedicure - Chances are your feet are swollen and achey. Although you may no longer be able to see them, this is the perfect time to have a pedicure and make them all pretty. You’ll feel better and they’ll look great when they’re only inches from your doctor’s face.

Practice yoga - Yoga is great for relaxing both the body and the mind. Of course you’ll want to learn how to do it safely so as not to injure yourself or your unborn child. But with a little guidance you’ll soon be feeling the relaxed and invigorated.

Rent a chick flick - Nothing takes your mind off stress like a great movie. Choose an old favorite, or try something new. Invite over a couple of gal pals and have them bring a gallon of ice cream to make it extra fun!

If you’re expecting a little bundle of joy any time soon, you’re undoubtedly already planning ways to make a smooth transition into parenthood. Although you can’t prepare for all the bumps along the road, here are a few things you can do to make this time a little easier:

1. Cook and freeze meals before baby is born. You can do this by having a big day of cooking (be sure to ask family and friends to pitch in!) or by simply doubling or tripling your favorite recipes and freezing the leftovers. Then when baby arrives all you’ll have to do is reheat the frozen meals and voila, dinner is done. Use disposable containers and you won’t even have any mess to clean up!

3. Address and add postage to the envelopes you’ll need for birth announcements. When baby is born you can have inexpensive announcements made up at your local print shop. Include a photo, all baby’s birth details and a short personal message. There’s no need to write anything on them. Just put them in the envelopes and mail them out.

4. Think ahead about any gifts and/or cards you’ll need. For the first couple of months after baby arrives you may not feel up to going shopping. If you do great! But if you don’t it will be helpful to have everything you need already for birthdays, anniversaries and other upcoming special events. Be sure to remember the wrapping paper, tape, bows and ribbons as well.

2. If you have dogs, introduce them to baby’s scent. If you’re a dog owner you probably know how much chaos they can cause when they’re not happy. Let your furry friends get used to baby by bringing a blanket or clothing home from the hospital and letting the dogs smell it before baby arrives home. Once they know baby’s scent they’ll be less likely to be traumatized when you show up with their new competition!

5. Test all of baby’s products so you know how they work. Practice using the carseat, walk around with a doll in the sling and disassemble products such as your breast pump. Knowing how these things work can save you frustration once baby arrives and you’re ready to start using them.

6. Plan a “meet the baby day”. If you’re worried that you’ll have lots of unannounced visitors during the first few weeks, get it out of the way all at once by having a “meet the baby day”. Invite everyone over for a couple of hours at a time that is convenient for you. While they’re there don’t be shy about mentioning that the reason for the meet and greet is so you can some time alone with your baby for a few weeks.

If you’re pregnant you’ve probably heard lots of old wives tales and theories on whether you’re having a boy or a girl. Some can be pretty wacky!

Here’s a list of our 10 favorites:

1. If the expectant mother is eating and coughs, ask her to pick a number, then match the number to the corresponding alphabet letter, eg: A=1, B=2, C=3 etc, then ask her to pick a name starting with that letter. If the name she picks is a girls name, it will be a girl, boys name, boy.

2. With subsequent babies, the sex is determined by the previous child’s first word. If s/he says mama first, it will be a girl and if s/he says dada first it will be a boy.

3. Take the mother’s age at conception, and the year of conception. If both are even or both are odd…it’s a girl. If one is even and one odd it’s a boy.

4. Whoever is more aggressive at the time of conception, the child will be the opposite of that sex.

5. Urinate in a glass or jar that has a tablespoon of Drain-o in it. If the mixture is green, it’s a girl; if the mixture turns blue, it’s a boy.

6. Suspend the woman’s wedding ring on a chain over her belly. If it swings back and forth, it’s a girl. If it swings around in circles, it’s a boy.

7. If a toddler boy shows interest in a pregnant woman, the mom-to-be is going to have a girl. If he ignores the pregnant woman, she will have a boy.

8. If the mother prefers to lay on her left side when resting, it’s a boy. On her right side, it’s a girl.

9. Ask the mother to show you her hands. If she shows them palms up, it’s a girl; palms down, a boy.

10. Take a poll among 5-year old children. Their accuracy is uncanny.