Essential questions to ask daycare providers before enrolling your child

When doing a daycare tour for your child, the goal is to find out as much as possible. Hence, you need to prepare a list of key questions to ask daycare providers to cover areas like safety, staff qualifications, daily routines, and how the center handles specific care needs.

To help you navigate the process, we've compiled a detailed list of expert-recommended daycare questions to ask across various categories before making your decision.

Key questions to ask when visiting a daycare

When you go on a daycare tour, you need to ask the right types of childcare questions to ensure it's a good fit for your child. You want to feel confident they are safe, supported, and engaged in care. Here are some key areas to focus on during your visit:

Childcare philosophy and approach

Understand how the daycare views child development and the methods they use to encourage learning and growth. Ask questions like:

• What is your general childcare philosophy?
• How do you handle discipline and behavioral problems?
• How do you encourage social and emotional development?
• Are caregivers trained in early childhood education
• Do you follow a specific curriculum?

Child-to-caregiver ratio

A lower child-to-caregiver ratio means more personalized attention for your child, leading to a safer and more nurturing environment. If the ratio is higher, ask what steps are taken to ensure that all children are adequately supervised and engaged.

• What is the child-to-caregiver ratio for infants and toddlers?
• How does the ratio change as children grow?
• What is the maximum number of children per class?
• What are the guidelines for a safe ratio in daycare settings?
• Do you combine classes or operate at building-wide ratios rather than classroom ratios?

Daily routine and activities

A structured and flexible schedule gives children a sense of security and supports their learning, socialization, and physical health. It also helps them adjust to the daycare environment.

• What does an average day look like for my child?
• What types of activities do you offer?
• How much outdoor playtime is included?
• How do you incorporate outdoor time?
• Do you have safe, age-appropriate play areas
• How do you accommodate nap time for children?

Health, safety, and security questions

Emergencies happen, and when they do, it’s crucial that your child’s daycare is prepared to handle them. A good daycare will have clear protocols to protect children from sudden illness, accidents, or, in extreme cases, a natural disaster.

Health protocols and illness policies

Ask how the daycare handles children who show signs of illness, how they manage allergies, and what safety measures are in place to prevent accidental exposure to allergens.

• Do you require vaccinations?
• What is your sick-child policy?
• How do you handle food allergies and dietary restrictions?
• Do you administer medicine, and how is it tracked?
• What steps are taken to reduce the spread of illness?

Emergency procedures and safety measures

A well-prepared daycare will have detailed, practiced plans for scenarios like fires, natural disasters, intruders, or injuries. Focus on how the center balances preparedness with minimizing disruption to children’s routines.

• What is your disaster and emergency protocol?
• Are safety drills conducted regularly?
• Are staff trained in CPR and first aid?
• Where are children relocated in an emergency, and how are parents notified?
• How are accidents documented, and when are parents contacted?
• How is security ensured at the facility?
• Do you conduct safety drills?
• Are play areas fenced, age-appropriate, and free of hazards?

These are good questions to ask a daycare as a starting point, but it’s also essential to note whether safety tools (fire extinguishers, first-aid kits) are accessible and up to date. Check for clutter-free walkways, functioning gates, and staff who actively supervise rather than distract themselves with phones.

Cleanliness and hygiene

The daycare should have strict hygiene and cleanliness standards. A clean environment reduces the spread of illnesses, protects children with compromised immune systems, and teaches kids healthy habits through modeling.

• How often are toys, surfaces, and high-touch areas disinfected?
• What cleaning protocols do you follow?
• When are children and staff required to wash their hands?
• How do you manage diaper changes and bathroom facilities?
• Is there a dedicated space to isolate unwell children until pickup?
• How is indoor air quality maintained?

Policies and procedures

Clear, transparent policies ensure smooth communication between families and the daycare and set expectations for both parties. Understanding these rules helps you avoid surprises related to costs, schedules, or access to your child. Some daycares will provide written documentation (e.g., a parent handbook) to answer many of these questions.

Financial and enrollment questions

Financial clarity is critical to budgeting and planning, while enrollment terms dictate your commitment and the center’s availability. Ask detailed questions to know hidden fees, understand cancellation terms, and gauge how the center supports families through financial hardships.

• What is the tuition and payment schedule?
• Are there any additional fees?
• Are tuition fees adjusted for holidays or prolonged absences?
• Are there late fees or grace periods?
• Do you offer sliding-scale tuition and sibling discounts or accept childcare subsidies?
• Is there a waitlist, and what is the enrollment process?
• What is the notice period for withdrawing a child?
• What is your refund or cancellation policy?

Pick-up, visitation, and flexibility

Security protocols and visitation rules protect your child from unauthorized access, while flexible policies demonstrate the center’s willingness to accommodate real-life challenges. The right questions to ask a daycare center will help you assess how the center balances safety with empathy for parents’ schedules and unexpected situations.

• What are your pick-up and drop-off procedures?
• Who is authorized to pick up my child?
• What are your late policies? Are there fines, and how are emergencies handled?
• Do you allow unscheduled parental visits?
• What are the rules for special requests like extra days or extended hours?
• How do I report a child’s absence? Are there requirements for notifying the center about vacations?

Questions to ask about the staff

One key indicator of a daycare’s quality is the experience and tenure of its staff. If staff members have relatively short tenures, it could signal potential issues, unless the daycare is new. If the center is well-run, experienced staff stick around because they value the work environment and the care they can provide. However, if a daycare is poorly managed, high staff turnover will be common, as caregivers often burn out and move on after a short period.

Qualifications and training

Daycare centers that prioritize ongoing education and certifications beyond minimum state requirements ensure your child receives appropriate care. This commitment helps staff  respond effectively to challenges like behavioral issues, emergencies, or diverse learning needs.

• What degrees, certifications, or training do staff members have?
• What ongoing training do your staff receive?
• Do you conduct background checks?

Staff turnover and stability

High staff turnover can disrupt routines and make it difficult for children to build strong, trusting relationships with their caregivers. Understanding the daycare's staff retention rates and stability can give you a better sense of the environment your child will experience.

• What is the staff turnover rate?
• What is the average tenure of staff here? How long have the current staff members been working here?
• How do you support staff retention?
• How does the daycare handle staff changes, and how do you ensure that the children’s routines and care are not disrupted?
• Will my child have a primary caregiver, or will staff rotate frequently?
• Who covers for absent staff? Are substitutes familiar with the children and routines?

What to look for in a daycare for infants 

Infants depend on caregivers for every need, like feeding, soothing, diapering, and developmental stimulation. As such, infant daycare questions focus on examining whether the center mimics the consistency and warmth of the home.

Infant care and safety

Infant care goes beyond basic routines. It involves tailored attention to meet physical, emotional, and developmental needs.

• How do you handle breast milk, formula, and baby food?
• How are feeding schedules tailored to each infant (e.g., on-demand vs. fixed times)?
• What are your safe sleep practices for infants?
• How do you ensure infants receive individualized care?
• How do caregivers comfort fussy or crying infants?
• How often are diapers checked and changed? 
• What products are used (e.g., hypoallergenic wipes, diaper cream)?

The right questions to ask daycare providers: Decide with confidence

Choosing the right daycare for your child is a big decision. Visit multiple daycare centers and be ready with questions to ask daycare leaders to gather all the necessary information.

Pay attention to how the staff interacts with the kids and how comfortable the environment feels. And as always, trust your gut. Your gut reaction to the vibe can tell you more than any policy or brochure. Does the space feel welcoming? Are the staff warm and attentive, or do they seem disinterested? These impressions matter because you want to feel confident that your child will thrive in the place.

If something feels off or raises a concern, don’t ignore it; ask follow-up questions until you get the necessary answers.

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