What questions should you ask a daycare provider? I’ve come up with a list of questions so you can ask away! Here are 50 questions to ask daycare providers so you can find the best care for your baby.
Finding a daycare for your little one can take some time and be a little unnerving. It’s always hard to let someone else care for your child.
Asking the right questions and having as much information as possible can help you feel a little more comfortable leaving your baby.
I’ve included all the potential questions that you can ask a daycare provider, but make sure to pick and choose the ones that are most important to you.
Here’s a complete list of questions to ask daycare providers so you can make an informed decision and find the best care for your baby.
What Questions Should You Ask A Daycare?
Asking general questions of daycare providers helps you get to know them better and gives you a feel for how they run their program. You’ll also get a sense for how they’ll care for your child.
You’ll be able to spot any red flags if it doesn’t seem like the right spot for your family.
Questions to Ask Daycare About General Policies
- How many children currently attend and what are their ages?
- What is your caregiver to child ratio? Are there young and older children in care?
- What is your background? How long have you been licensed?
- What is the cost? Is there an enrollment fee?
- When is payment due and what forms of payment do you accept?
- How many vacation days do you take each year? Are you closed for major/minor holidays?
- What happens if I go on vacation?
- What is your policy if I’m running late to pick up my child?
- What supplies do I need to bring (diapers, wipes, etc.)?
- How long have the current staff members been here?
- Do you do background checks for all employees?
- Are employees CPR and first aid certified?
- Do you help with potty training? (If you have older kids or just want to start planning.)
Questions to ask About Meals
- Do I need to provide meals and snacks for my child?
- If no, what do you typically serve for meals and snacks?
- How do you handle food allergies?
- Can I bring and store breastmilk?
- How do you prepare frozen breastmilk or formula bottles?
- Do you have set meal and snack times?
- Will you feed my child dinner (if picked up late)?
- Can I stop by to breastfeed my child?
- Can you do Baby-led weaning as a way of introducing solid foods?
Questions to Ask Daycare about Daily Structure
- What does a typical day look like?
- How often do children play outside?
- What do the different play areas look like?
- Is free play offered?
- is there an official drop off and pick up time or can I come whenever?
- What kinds of activities do you do with the children?
- Where will children take naps?
- Should I supply a pack and play or toddler cot?
- Is there a nap schedule that you follow?
- Will you follow my baby’s sleep schedule?
- Do children watch TV or have other screen time?
- Do you celebrate holidays with the kids?
Questions to Ask About Safety and Communication
- How do you discipline?
- How do you handle a child who bites, hits, etc?
- What if my child is sick? What are the sick policies?
- When can’t I bring my child? (Find out the policies on fevers, coughs, etc. and if sick children will ever be in care.)
- Can you give over-the-counter medication?
- Are there any animals in the house?
- What is your vaccination policy?
- What happens if you or your assistant is sick?
- Do you ever go anywhere with the groups of children? Either in a vehicle or on foot?
- How do you communicate with parents?
- Can we call or text?
- Do you check in periodically throughout the day?
- Do you provide a daily report for feeds/naps/etc.?
- What security measures do you have in place for your facility?
- Can parents come by whenever they’d like to check in?
- Who else comes in and out of the daycare center or home?
- Are you licensed?
- What is your license number? Make sure to look up their license number to see if they have any violations.
- Can I contact some references? Current and former?
How Do I Prepare for A Daycare Tour?
I visited several daycare providers when my daughter was a baby. I’m a bit of a research nut, so these are the steps I took to prepare.
Look up the Facility Online
Visit the daycare website to get as much information as possible. Read reviews from Yelp and other social media platforms so you have a good idea of the facility.
Write down your Questions
Write down the questions you want to ask in your Notes app or on a notepad. It can be helpful to reference a list once you’re there.
Asking plenty of questions of potential daycare providers will help you get to know them better and ultimately help you choose the right daycare for your child.
If you have any questions about questions to ask daycare providers, leave them in the comments below.
My goal is to help tired parents get sleep, so the whole family can thrive!
- Test - April 18, 2024
- Newborns and Swaddling (Safety Tips) - March 19, 2024
- 25 Baby’s First Christmas Ornament Ideas - March 18, 2024
