25 Important Questions You Need to Ask Prospective Daycare Providers Before Leaving Your Child In Their Care
When searching for the perfect daycare provider, you may be wondering what to look for and what to ask during the phone or in-person interview and facility tour. You may be thinking: How will I know if the provider is a good fit? What should I look for to know that my child is going to be in good hands? How much should I reasonably spend on daycare? What is considered a red flag? All of these questions are normal and expected! A list of the most helpful questions that can be asked during the interview stage have been compiled below. Before you visit or tour a facility, jot down your ideal answers to these questions so you can rule out a bad match quickly.
1. Are you licensed? By whom are you accredited?
Perform your due diligence and verify that any daycare you are considering is legally registered with your state to ensure that they authorized to act as a childcare provider. Research if the daycare has been reported to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Have there been any confirmed reports of abuse? How did the daycare handle the report? Knowing that there might be or has been a history of abuse in the past means you can cross that provider off of your list. It’s important not to skip this step.
During this time, find out if the daycare provider is accredited. Accreditation means the daycare meets the highest standards for education, child development, and care. Achieving accreditation requires in-person observations and thorough facility checks. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) are the most common daycare accrediting organizations.
Use this time to also inquire about the daycare teachers and their CPR/First Aid certification status. Any adult that cares for your child should be certified to perform CPR and First Aid measures in the event of an emergency. If your prospective daycare is reluctant to provide this information or you find their responses unsatisfactory, it’s okay to move on.
Finally, consider asking if you can speak to the parents of children that already attend the daycare as well. Being able to hear about another parent’s firsthand experience can likely lead to positive and negative insights that will be helpful as you narrow down your search.
2. Do you charge extra for late pick-up?
It is not unusual for daycare providers to charge parents if they arrive after a certain time. For example, if your daycare closes at 6:00PM and you know that with rush hour traffic you will be 30 minutes later than expected, ask if this will result in additional charges. The extra charge is typically intended to ensure coverage for any children who must stay late.
3. What are your billing and payment expectations?
Daycare providers vary in their pay expectations. For example, they may charge you more for your newborn than they will your toddler. Ask about their charges and inquire as to how the determination is made.
Further, find out how they expect to be paid and when. Certain daycares may request payment upfront for the week while others may expect it upfront for the month. Some will accept checks while others have an online payment system that requires the use of a debit or credit card.
You should also ask if you are eligible for a discount for paying in full or advance. Some daycare centers provide this incentive for parents and as long as your budget allows, consider doing so.
4. What are the terms of the contract?
Certain daycare providers require that parents sign a contract. Read the details of the contract and inquire about anything that might become a concern. Do you plan to move permanently in a few months and want to know what happens if you must leave the daycare? Can you hold your child’s spot in the daycare if you will be away for a specific period of time? Were you under the impression that lunch would be provided, but the contract states it is not? Be certain of the terms of the contract before signing and talk to your prospective daycare provider if you need flexibility.
5. What are your policies for pre-scheduled closures, inclement weather, emergency closures, and vacation time?
Knowing how your operates in the event of pre-scheduled closures, inclement weather, emergency closures, and vacation time is a must. For example, if you find a daycare provider who still requires their rate even if you’re off for two weeks on vacation with your child, this may affect whether you wish to move forward. Or if the daycare center typically has a modified schedule during winter break, you can anticipate in advance making alternative childcare arrangements. Further, if the daycare must shut down for special occasions, like the annual staff retreat, knowing this beforehand can ensure you can plan ahead of time.
6. What are your teachers’ backgrounds?
In addition to CPR and First Aid certifications, you should expect that your child’s teachers will have a background in early child development and/or education. An associate’s degree can often satisfy this requirement, though many daycare teachers pursue additional education. A 2017 New York Times article explored the relationship between advanced education and the learning outcomes for children, and found that there can be a positive correlation. Whether the daycare has teachers with 2 or 4-year degrees, you will want to ensure that the daycare values continued education and that they remain abreast of how to deliver evidence-based care. It is helpful to know how long the teachers have taught as well.
7. What is your visitation policy?
Whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or just want to visit your child because you have 15 minutes to spare, ask about the visitation policy sooner rather than later. Some daycares welcome parents and legal guardians at lunch time so they can enjoy this time with their child, while others will have designated times throughout the day for visits so as not to disrupt the routine. Other daycares may allow visits any time during the day.
When discussing the visitation policy, ask about who can visit your child as well. Can only parents and legal guardians visit? Can visitation be extended to loved ones like aunts, uncles, and grandparents? Knowing the details of the visitation policy helps you know what boundaries are in place.
8. What is your immunization policy?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, every state determines their own immunization requirements at childcare centers and schools. If you are not sure what the immunization requirements are in your state, talk to the daycare and your state’s department of health. If your child is vaccinated, be sure to keep documentation of their vaccinations and medical history on hand in case it is required for enrollment. You may also want to ask about the policy for children who are not vaccinated. Can non-vacinnated children attend the daycare? This is particularly important if you have a child 12 months or under or a child who is immunocompromised.
9. Can I sit in on classroom activities?
During a tour, you should ask for the opportunity to sit in on various classroom activities. For example, sitting in during reading time can give you an idea of how teachers interact with the children. Does the teacher welcome questions and encourage creative thought? Does the teacher treat the children respectfully? Do they foster an environment that feels safe and secure? What you observe during this time will give you insight into what you can expect if your child attends that particular daycare center.
10. What are your teacher-to-child ratios?
Your child’s safety is first and foremost. Ask the daycare how they manage the teacher-to-child ratio. Typically, 1 teacher is expected for every 4 infants (1:4). Likewise, 1 teacher is expected for every 6 preschoolers (1:6). If you learn that the daycare has a greater number of children per teacher, this may impact how much attention your child will receive. For example, if there is 1 teacher for every 10 children, the teachers may struggle to keep up with the students. Ask about how teachers manage their classrooms if the ratio is larger than what makes you comfortable.
11. What is your teacher turnover rate?
Teacher turnover refers to the number of teachers who leave the daycare and are replaced by new employees during any given time. Why is this information important? Low turnover can indicate that the daycare may prioritize the happiness and satisfaction of their staff. Happy teachers will have a positive effect on your child. High turnover may indicate administrative issues, like disorganization, that can impact your child negatively.
12. What is your Learning Curriculum?
Some daycares have a structured curriculum while others have a very relaxed curriculum. A structured curriculum means the daycare has learning plans for every age and level while a relaxed curriculum may be more focused on play. A combination of the curriculums - structured and relaxed - tends to be ideal. Ask the daycare to provide a copy of their weekly learning plans. Notice that the weekly plans are so structured that play time is very limited? Notice that the plans are heavy on play and have less opportunities for hands-on lessons? Now is the time to think about what you want your child to gain from the daycare center. Ideally, the curriculum will support your child’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth while also helping your child meet their developmental milestones.
13. Do you provide meals and beverages?
Inquire with the daycare about whether they provide meals and beverages and under what circumstances. Some daycares will provide breakfast, snacks, and/or lunch. Others might only provide snacks and expect parents to pack breakfast and lunch. If anything is being provided to your child, ask about how it is prepared. This is doubly important if your child has allergies or food intolerances. Are snacks prepackaged? Is cross-contamination a possibility? Do snacks vary by the day? Do breakfasts and lunches meet the nutritional guidelines for a well-balanced diet? If you exclusively breastfeed or supplement formula with breastmilk, ask about how the breast milk stored. Knowing how the daycare handles meals can help you plan easily.
14. What is the technology policy?
More and more daycares are incorporating technology into their curriculum. Now, some may have e-readers, tablets, and computers available for children to use during lessons. Technology may supplement lessons with music, interactive games, and animations. This multimedia approach of using educational software for children can help them develop important skills.
The daycare may also use technology for parents. More and more daycares are developing apps that you can download, allowing you to learn more about your child’s day. Some daycare apps even allow for surveillance so you can check in on your child’s day without physically visiting. If you have questions about the use of technology in the daycare center, talk to them about how it is used specifically.
15. Can you tell me about your discipline policy?
Knowing how your daycare center handles discipline is a must. Bringing this up early can help you make a decision about the provider quickly. How does the daycare handle hitting or biting? How do they respond to tantrums? How do they manage children who find listening to be a challenge? Do they practice the cry-it-out method? Time outs? Take away certain privileges, like outdoor play time? Ultimately, you will want a provider who is firm, but will treat your child respectfully. The discipline policy will give you clearer insight as to what to expect.
16. Can I see the spaces my child will visit the most?
Depending on the daycare’s physical setup, your child may visit classrooms, playrooms, playgrounds, bathrooms, and other spaces throughout the day. Ask to visit these spaces so you can better visualize what your child will experience as a student. For example, if the daycare includes snack preparation in the curriculum for certain ages and levels, you may want to visit the kitchen or activity space to see how it is arranged.
You can also use this time to ask about the daycare’s cleaning and sanitation procedures. How often are the toys in the playrooms sanitized? Does the bathroom have signs reminding staff and children alike to wash their hands before returning to the rest of the facility? If a child gets sick on the playground, what measures are taken to sanitize the toys they were using?
17. When do you communicate with parents and how do you communicate? Should I expect daily reports?
Some daycares incorporate technology into their communication methods to ensure they can give you important information swiftly. As mentioned previously, some daycares are using apps that are updated regularly to tell you about your child’s day. Did your child only eat half of their lunch? Did they sleep well during nap time? Did they offer to help with classroom cleanup? All of this information and more may be communicated through the app.
Other daycares may call, email, or text you information. It is important to know about the daycare’s preferred communication mode and plan accordingly. If you know the daycare is likely to call when your child is not feeling well, you will know to keep your phone closely after drop-off.
Finally, some daycares send home written reports about your child’s day. These reports are just as effective as the app updates because the focus on keeping you updated about your child’s progress.
18. When and where do children nap?
Ask about logistics of nap time. Where do the children sleep? Do they sleep in a quiet room with lights dimmed? Is soothing music played? Do they nap with other children? Do they sleep in cribs, mats, or cots? Are they allowed to have comforting items with them, like their favorite stuffed animal, while they sleep? If a child cannot nap and is restless, what happens? When is nap time usually scheduled? Basically, how your child rests throughout the day dictates their energy levels when they get home so it is good to know what to expect during that time.
19. What are your childcare philosophies?
More than anything, you want a daycare with philosophies that align well with yours. Other than their policies, you want to ensure that have solid strategies for age-appropriate learning and discipline. There are a wide range of childcare philosophies. From Montessori curriculums to active-participatory curriculums, knowing what your daycare practices is a must. For example, some might focus on traditional academic lessons while others are play-based. You know your child best so choose a program in which he or she will thrive.
20. Do the children go on outings or field trips? Do you request permission beforehand?
Some daycares like to supplement their curriculum with outings or field trips. This might involve trips to a local park, aquarium or zoo. Certain daycares may also schedule educational trips to local police and fire departments. Either way, you should be informed beforehand any time your child is taken off of the property. Ask how outings and field trips are handled. What is the ratio of chaperones to children? Are parents invited to come as well? What are the emergency procedures if anything happens while at an outing or field trip?
Your child should never be removed from the daycare’s property for an outing or field trip without your explicit permission. Knowing where your child is throughout the day and how emergencies are handled if anything serious occurs will give you peace of mind.
21. What is the sickness policy?
Daycares have strict policies on whether sick children can come to school. Typically, if the daycare’s staff is concerned your child has a contagious illness, like a cold, they will ask that you keep your child home that day to minimize contact with their classmates. If your child arrives to school feeling fine, but develops an illness throughout the day, the daycare will typically ask you to pick up your child as soon as possible to ensure other children do not become ill. Having access to the sickness policy can help you plan in advance should your child have to stay home one day or you need to arrange a mid-day pickup.
22. Can the staff administer over-the-counter or prescription medications?
Your child may require oral or topical medication at some point during their time in daycare. Whether your child has a headache that requires baby aspirin or is taking antibiotics for an infection, medication administration may have to occur during the school day. Daycare providers typically have strict requirements for medication administration. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, requirements may include:
Parents and legal guardians must sign and date a release form for the medication.
Some daycares have policies such that only the director or lead teacher can administer medication.
Medication and dosages must be noted every time it is administered.
Any prescription medication should include the child’s name, duration of the medication usage, the recommended dosage, the name of the prescriber, and the pharmacy that filled the prescription.
Medication that must be refrigerated should be stored separately from food and should be in an area that children cannot access.
For over-the-counter medication, your daycare provider may still require written permission from you as the parent and your child’s pediatrician before administering.
Finally, your daycare provider should immediately cease the administration of a medication, over-the-counter or prescription, if they witness side effects. They should contact you to inform you of the side effects and summon an ambulance if the situation is critical.
Ensure that you have a copy of the daycare center’s medication administration policy before agreeing to send your child there. As an extra precaution, always verify the policy after your child is enrolled as well.
23. How close is the nearest hospital?
When you drop off your child at a daycare, you never anticipate a medical emergency that requires a visit to the hospital. However, err on the side of caution and inquire about the nearest hospital and how the daycare handles medical emergencies (this goes back to valid CPR and First Aid certifications). If the daycare is not sure where the nearest hospital is located or does not have a streamlined procedure for handling medical emergencies, that is a reason for concern.
24. Do I get a discount if I enroll more than one child?
If you have more than one child that you are interested in enrolling in daycare, you should inquire if you will receive a discount for having more than one child attend. This sibling discount not only ensures that you can perform pick-up and drop-off seamlessly, but it can also help your budget.
25. Can anyone other than a parent or legal guardian pick up the child?
You might have a handful of people you can call on if you anticipate missing pickup. Outside of your partner, if applicable, you may want a grandparent or nanny to pick up your child. Be sure that you know their policy, like if they require advance notice of alternative pickup arrangements, before agreeing to the daycare.
Bottom Line
A thorough assessment of anyone or any facility that you plan to entrust with the care of your child is a must. Do not hesitate to ask the hard questions so you can narrow down your options to the best and most qualified providers. Bringing this list with you will help you weed out the duds from the stars.