Questions for a playgroup morah

amother

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 12:04 am

I am looking for a morah for my first dd for a playgroup and was wondering what questions to ask potential morahs...
never did this before, so dont know.
please advise
thanks

amother

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 12:12 am

thank you..
anything else? any safety questions to think about?
I seriuosly dont even know where to start...
I in general have anxiety when it comes to these type of conversations, and tend to shut down.
can anyone tell me what the converstation would look like
thanks

amother

Saddlebrown

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 12:16 am

A lot of these questions are dependent on ages and stages

General schedule
Rooms spend time in. Toys she has
Propping bottles (babies)
Sleeping arrangements, crying to sleep methods
Ages of kids
What happens on days she can’t do it
Max number of kids.
Does she take drop ins (more for babysitting or younger 2s)
Where do they eat?
Are there assistants. What are their responsibilities? Is the assistant left alone with kids?
References - and call them
Bathroom setup, how it works - for toilet trained or to be toilet trained kids
Hours. Price. Location.

amother

Saddlebrown

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 8:49 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

thank u!
this is for a 2yo
what is specific to 2yo?

All the above except bottles.

For sure ask about sleeping and eating arrangements. Is nap mandatory? What happens if kid doesn’t nap anymore.

If you think your child may get toilet trained ask that.

Also how does she handle misbehavior. Kids hitting.

imasinger

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 9:00 am

What are her rules and policies?
What type of family seems to work best with her?
What are the most important objectives she wants kids to grow in while in her care?

IMO, it's really helpful to ask for references (as Saddlebrown said). You can ask many of these questions to mothers who have sent there, as well as asking what they liked best and least about their experience.

Chayalle

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 9:21 am

My own personal standard is that I only sent to a playgroup where there is an assistant that is not a relative of the Morah. I'd rather a slightly larger group with this arrangement than a smaller group with Morah on her own.

mom!

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 9:39 am

Chayalle wrote:

This!

keym

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 9:53 am

I ask about toilet training- will you be pressured to train by a certain time? Will you be pressured not to train at times. Over the years, I've had some uncomfortable situations regarding training.
I have allergic children so I like to ask about meal and drink set-up. Us there a set place or specific time for eating and drinking? Are the kids wandering around eating?
I also like to know where diaper changing happens and what's the "diaper disposal method".

Eta I always ask references about the Morah's communication. I've had Morahs who were warm and yummy but it wasn't a priority for them to tell me that my kid didn't sleep or snow day. That was pretty frustrating to me.

amother

DarkYellow

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 9:56 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

thank u!
this is for a 2yo
what is specific to 2yo?

Just wondering OP, is this for next year? My baby will be turning 2 next year, so just wondering if I have to start thinking about it already now.

amother

Saddlebrown

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 10:04 am

amother [ DarkYellow ] wrote:

Just wondering OP, is this for next year? My baby will be turning 2 next year, so just wondering if I have to start thinking about it already now.

For some reason 2 ye olds is the hardest age to find
I think it’s one of the hardest ages to be a Morah for.
So if you want first picks best is to start early (you can find last minute but less options then)

amother

DarkYellow

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 10:07 am

amother [ Saddlebrown ] wrote:

When do people start registration?

Chayalle

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 10:12 am

If you want a particular Morah, make your interest known. Not 2-year-olds, but my DD was telling me that her friend's mother, a playgroup Morah, is already full on siblings....and some will have few slots.

amother

DarkYellow

Tue, Aug 31 2021, 10:21 am

keym wrote:

Isru Chag Sukkos.

Thank you. Sorry for diverting your thread op! Best of luck to both of us in finding the right Morah.