Daycare Tour Checklist: 30 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling

🔒

Category 1: Safety & Licensing

The license should be posted visibly. Ask for the license number so you can verify independently on your state's childcare licensing database. Also ask: when does it expire?

Minor violations (a missing form, a dated first aid kit) are common and fixable. Serious violations involving child supervision, ratios, or safety hazards are red flags — especially if repeat or unresolved. Ask: "Can I see the last inspection report?"

All licensed centers must do background checks, but scope varies by state. Best practice is FBI fingerprint checks for all staff AND household members (for home daycares). Ask: "Does this include sex offender registry checks? Nationwide or just state?"

They should have a written emergency plan. Key details: How quickly will you be notified? What's the protocol if 911 is needed? Is there always a CPR-certified adult present? For infants specifically: what are your safe sleep practices?

You need to know BEFORE your child is sick: what temperature threshold triggers a call? What about vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, rash? How quickly must you arrive once called? Most centers require pickup within 30-60 minutes. This affects your work contingency planning.

👩‍

Category 2: Staff & Ratios

Don't accept the maximum allowed — ask the actual current ratio. Then ask: "Is this typical, or is today unusually high/low?" NAEYC recommendations: infants 1:3-4, toddlers 1:4-6, preschool 1:8-10.

Ask about the specific teacher your child would have, not the center average. Under 6 months is a yellow flag. Under 3 months is a red flag — it suggests something drove out the previous teacher. Bonus: ask to meet the teacher before enrolling.

The national average childcare turnover is 30-40% per year — meaning roughly 1 in 3 teachers leaves annually. Under 15% is excellent. Over 50% is a serious problem. Directors may be reluctant to share this — watch their reaction to the question as much as the answer.

State minimums vary widely — some require only a high school diploma and a few training hours. Better programs require CDA (Child Development Associate) credential, early childhood education degree, or equivalent. For infants especially, ask about specific infant development training.

What happens when a teacher is sick? Are substitutes pre-vetted with background checks? Do children know the subs, or are strangers brought in? Do you combine classrooms? For toddlers and infants, unexpected changes in caregivers are genuinely distressing.

Category 3: Daily Schedule & Curriculum

A good schedule balances: structured learning time, free play, outdoor time (daily, even in mild cold), meals/snacks, rest/nap, and transition activities. For infants, it follows individual routines rather than group schedules.

NAEYC recommends a minimum of 60 minutes outdoor time daily for children 3 and up. Ask: What weather conditions cancel outdoor time? Is outdoor time active play or just standing around? What's the outdoor space like?

AAP recommends no screen time for children under 18-24 months (except video calls) and limited, high-quality programming for 2-5 year olds. Ask: "Are screens used? For what purposes? How many minutes per day?" TV on as background noise is a red flag for any age group.

Common approaches: Creative Curriculum (research-backed, widely used), High/Scope, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, play-based. Ask: "How does your curriculum connect to kindergarten readiness?" A good answer includes specifics. "We play and learn together" is a non-answer.

Watch the answer closely. Good answers involve acknowledging feelings, consistent routines, and individualized approaches. Red flag answers: "we just let them cry it out" or minimizing that transitions can be hard, especially for young toddlers.

💬

Category 4: Communication & Parent Involvement

Ask specifically: Do you use a parent communication app? How often do infants/toddlers get activity updates? Are there photos? How will I know if there was an incident or behavior concern?

The answer should be yes, with reasonable limits (e.g., not during nap time). Centers that require advance notice for all visits have something to hide. Licensing often requires reasonable parent access.

Key details: Who is authorized to pick up? How is ID verified for people you've added? What happens if someone not on the list arrives? What if you're running late? What's the late pickup fee? (Yes, ask this now.)

Ask: "If I was concerned about something I observed, what's the process?" Good centers have a clear escalation path: classroom teacher → director → ownership/board. Watch for defensiveness in the answer.

Quality programs do formal developmental check-ins 1-2 times per year. Ask: How do you track developmental milestones? What happens if you observe a developmental concern? Do you refer families to specialists?

🏥

Category 5: Health & Nutrition

This one is revealing. The answer should include: dedicated changing surface, disposable liner, staff washing hands before AND after with soap, used diaper in covered trash, wiping down surface with disinfectant. Watch for hesitation — it suggests the procedure isn't standardized.

Centers vary widely — some provide all meals (CACFP-reimbursed nutrition program), some require parent-provided. Ask: Do meals meet USDA nutrition standards? Is there a menu available? Are birthday treats or outside food allowed? What's the nut allergy policy?

For allergy families, this is critical. Ask: Is the center nut-free? What is the EpiPen protocol? How are staff trained on allergen management? Are allergy plans documented and shared with all staff, including subs?

All licensed centers are required to follow state immunization requirements. Ask: What vaccines are required? Do you accept medical exemptions? What happens if there's a disease outbreak among enrolled children?

For infants: is EVERY infant placed on their back on a firm surface with no soft bedding? (AAP mandates this.) For toddlers/preschool: are children forced to sleep or allowed quiet rest? Can you send your child's comfort item? What if your child resists nap?

💵

Category 6: Costs & Policies

The base rate is just the start. Request the full schedule including: enrollment/registration fee, supply fee (often $50-200/semester), activity fees, late pickup fees (typically $1-5/minute after closing), and what "full-time" vs "part-time" means in hours.

Ask for the list of all closures for the year. Many centers close 10-15 federal holidays plus professional development days. Do you still pay full tuition on closure days? This effectively raises your hourly rate. Is there emergency backup if a teacher is sick?

Deposits range from $100-500. Some are applied to your first month; others are non-refundable holding deposits. Ask: What happens if we need to withdraw before the start date? What if the center's start date changes?

Most centers require 2-4 weeks notice. Some require 30 or even 60 days. Failure to give proper notice typically means forfeiting your deposit or paying tuition during the notice period. Life circumstances change — know this before you sign.

Not all licensed centers are CCAP-certified — they must apply separately. Ask: Are you certified to accept CCAP vouchers? Do you accept any state subsidy programs? What's the process if we apply for assistance after enrollment? See our full subsidy guide to understand your options.