Questions to ask when searching for the perfect daycare for your child
*Please download the PDF Checklist at the bottom of this blog post and take it with you to each daycare visit to keep track of questions and take notes
Facilities:
- Is the daycare licensed?
- Does the daycare offer a Montessori based curriculum? If so, is it accredited?
- What are the operating hours? Any days the daycare is closed?
- Does the daycare offer on facility meal preparation, or do they cater? If they cater, from who?
- What is the daily menu?
- How long has the daycare been in operation for?
- What does the outdoor area look like? What activities are available for the children to take part in?
- Do they have an indoor gym? What do the kids do if the weather is too hot/cold for outdoor play? How about with rain and snow?
Staff:
- What is the experience, training and accreditation of the Director and Staff?
- What is the child to teacher ratio in each classroom?
- Does the daycare offer references for the staff?
- What is the staff turnover?
Curriculum:
- What is the curriculum? Are there any extra-curricular activities on offer? Are they included in the program? If not, what is their cost?
- What is the schedule of the day?
- Does the daycare offer any outings (field trips, walks to the park etc.)?
Policy Related:
- What does the daycare do to discipline children?
- What is the daycare’s protocol for children who act out inappropriately?
- Has the center ever had any serious occurrences? If so, what for?
- What does the daycare file ‘Incidence’ and ‘Accident’ reports for?
- What is the illness policy?
- Can you transition your child into the daycare? Ie: bring your child in for a few hours each day, for a few days a week, before they officially start?
- What is the expectation around toilet training? Walking? Are there any milestones that a child must hit to move to the next class level (infant to toddler, toddler to preschool etc.)?
- What is the cancellation policy? How many days notice do you need to provide if you decide to change daycares?
Safety Protocols:
- How is the daycare handling COVID?
- What are the safety protocols in place?
- What is the cleaning policy? How often are items cleaned and what do they clean with?
- How are parents able to enter/exit the daycare? Is there a passcode, must they ring a doorbell to be let in, etc.?
Financial:
- What is the monthly cost?
- How much does the daycare charge if you are late to pick up your child?
- Does the daycare offer subsidies?
- Does the daycare charge extra for before/after school care?
- Is there an administration fee? A deposit? Are they refundable? Can any be waived?
Communication:
- How does the daycare communicate with parents?
- What kind of communication do parents receive (newsletter, daily reports, report cards etc)
- Does the daycare have an app where you can review daily reports, pictures of your child, daily menu etc
- Does the daycare have a camera where you can view your child throughout the day?
General:
- Request the Parent Handbook and review it
- Do your research and look for reviews online or from other parents
Download the Ultimate Daycare Checklist below:
The Ultimate Daycare Checklist
If you have an older child who is distance learning, please refer to my article here, on 5 ways to get your child comfortable and motivated with distance learning!
