Questions to ask when looking for a daycare

Below are five steps to follow in order to choose the perfect daycare option for your child.

Then you’ll find a list of questions worth considering before making your final decision.

Steps to take when looking for a childcare option for your baby

Step 1: Ask yourself some basic questions.

When will you need childcare? Around what date will your child be starting childcare? How many days a week will you be working? What time each morning will you need to drop your child off? When will you be able to pick him/her up again?

What kind of childcare will you be most comfortable with? There are four basic options here, although you may sometimes consider a combination of more than one option:

If available, you can have a family member or friend watch your child.
You can hire a babysitter or nanny to watch your child in your own home.
You can take your child to a home daycare, which is usually a small group of kids being cared for by one or two people in their own home.
You can send your child to a daycare center. A daycare center is usually larger than a home daycare, with more kids, a facility that is not a home, and a larger number of teachers. Children are often divided into classes according to age.

Where is your ideal location for childcare? Do you prefer a location that is closer to your home or closer to your job? How far out of your way would you be willing to drive between home and work in order to pick up and drop off your child?

How much money can you afford to spend on childcare? Decide on a price range before you begin your search. You may need to adjust this number as you go, but it’s a good idea to have an ideal range in mind ahead of time.

What are your priorities when it comes to childcare? What things hold the most weight with you when it comes to choosing a childcare option? The question list below will really help you hone in on your priorities so that you can find a childcare provider that meets all of your most important needs.

Step 2: Gather a list of options.

Ask around. Personal recommendations are the best. Ask people that you work with and people who live near you. Ask your friends and family in the area.

You can sometimes ask on different Facebook groups- especially if you’re in a local mom’s group.

Try to find someone who has actually had their child at the place they are recommending. Next, start a list of all of the options you’ve been given.

Step 3: Research.

Find out everything you can to narrow down your list. You can cross off any options that are not in your ideal location or price range, and anyone who does not have any openings available.

Then you can start to browse websites. Compare prices. Ask for references and check them out.

Step 4: Schedule visits or interviews.

See what each remaining option is like. Find out the answers to the most important questions you have from the list below. Make lots of observations and pay attention to how you feel while you’re there.

Feel free to go back more than once. Try a different time of day, or make an unannounced visit. Speak with parents whose kids are in this childcare center. You can sometimes do a trial day (or week) to see if it’s a good fit before you make your final decision.

Step 5: Make a decision.

Make a decision, but keep in mind that it’s not permanent. Stay vigilant for red flags, and be ready to make a switch if needed.

Remember, your child’s safety and wellbeing is the most important thing no matter where they are.

Questions to ask before choosing a childcare provider.

You don’t need to ask potential childcare providers every single question on this list. (Really… you don’t. There are a lot of questions here!)

But make sure you know the answers to the ones that are most important to you.

Home/Facility

When you visit, do the staff and children seem happy?
Are the kids excited and smiling?
Is the environment stimulating?
Does the facility seem clean and safe?
What does it look like? Is it bright, clean, and cheery, or dark, cramped and cluttered?
What feeling do you get when you walk in, or when you spend some time looking around and listening?

The ultimate pregnancy to-do list, all in one place.

Pregnancy planner & to-do guide

Pregnancy doesn’t have to be complicated. Stay organized and tackle your to-do list one easy step at a time. Click the link below to see what you’ll get with this instant download!

Get your copy

Caregiver/Teachers

What are the qualifications of the daycare providers?
What licensing and training do providers have?
What do parents of children who have been cared for in the past and present by this provider say about them?
Does the provider speak to children in a positive, respectful manner?
Does the provider show affection for the kids? Do they laugh, smile, and seem to enjoy being with them?
Do the kids seem comfortable around each other and the childcare provider?

Childcare beliefs and philosophies

How is discipline handled?
What policy is followed when a child bites or gets bitten?
What if one child slaps or scratches another?
Does the provider ever let babies “cry it out?”
How would the provider handle a baby that won’t stop crying? A baby who refuses to eat? A baby who refuses to be put down?
How is potty training handled? How are accidents handled?

Safety

How does the center ensure that all children are safe at all times?
Are there webcams installed that you would be able to check during the day?
What teachers will be at the center (or who else will be in the house) while your child is there? Have all of these people been screened and cleared of criminal backgrounds?
Are safe sleep procedures followed for babies? (No bumpers, stuffed animals, pillows or blankets in cribs, babies on backs)
How are entrances and exits secured?
What is the policy if someone other than you would need to pick up your baby?
If field trips are taken, how is transportation handled? Is a vehicle available with a safe, correctly installed car seat?
Where and how are potentially dangerous substances stored?

Health

What policies are followed when children get sick at daycare?
What is the center’s policy on immunizations?
Do you notice sanitary measures being taken during your visit?
How would a first aid or emergency situation be handled?
How are parents alerted if there is a contagious disease or illness of one of the children in the center?
What is the policy on medication administration?
Is sunscreen applied before going outside? Do parents provide the sunscreen?
Are children assisted in brushing teeth and combing hair while at the daycare?

Meals/Snacks

Is food provided by the childcare provider or supplied by parents?
What do typical meals looks like? Snacks?
Are babies spoon fed, or does this childcare provider support baby led weaning?
How does the provider deal with food allergies?
Do you have the option to send pumped breast milk? Can you come in to nurse your baby?
Are babies held while given bottles?

Availability

Is there an opening for your child or children?
What are the hours?
Can exceptions be made if an early drop-off or late pick-up is needed on a particular day?
Is the center closed for holidays and/or vacations?
What happens if the provider is sick?
What happens on snow days?
What would happen if a caregiver had a personal emergency?
How much advance notice would you be given if the daycare was closed for the day?

Pricing

How much will childcare cost?
Are there any additional fees?
Will you still need to pay for the days when your child doesn’t come? What about for holidays? Vacation or sick days?
Are there additional fees for days when you may need to drop your child off early or pick them up late?
How are payments handled? Deducted automatically, due the first of the month, etc.?

Daily schedule

What learning curriculum is followed for older children? Can you see a copy of the program?
What does a typical day look like? What activities are done each day?
How often are the children read to?
What kinds of toys are available for them to play with?
Do the children spend a lot of time playing outside?
Do the kids go on field trips? Do they take walks or go to a local park or library?
What kind of play do the children engage in?
What routines are followed for mealtime? Nap time?
Where are babies allowed to sleep? Where are they allowed to play? How much time do they spend in baby gear such as swings, bouncers, etc.?
How often are babies held each day?
Are babies fed/put down to nap on demand, or do they stick to a feeding/napping schedule?
How often are diapers changed?
Will you be able to come check on your child at any time during the day, unannounced?
How much time do children spend watching TV or movies? How much time is spent on computers?

Other

Is the center licensed? Accredited?
How long have providers been doing this? What is the turnover rate of employees at this center? How and when will you meet any new employees?
How many other children will be in the class, or in the daycare? What is the maximum capacity? How many other babies will there be?
How will you communicate with providers?
Will you be given updates about your children during the day? A summary paper at the end of the day? Texts and pictures during the day?
Are providers willing to use cloth diapers?
What supplies will you need to provide? Diapers? Wipes? Food or snacks?

What to do now:

Reread the list of questions above and write down the top 5 questions you want to be sure to ask. Keep your questions handy as you schedule visits, narrow down your list of options, and make a final decision.

It can be tough to choose the perfect daycare option for your child, but with a little bit of preparation, you’ll be able to make a decision that you feel confident with.

You’ve got this!

-Laura