25 Questions to Ask a Daycare Before You Enroll (+ Free Printable Checklist)

Picking the best daycare for your little one can be a daunting task. That’s because choosing a daycare is about more than finding a convenient location or an available opening. You are trusting someone else with your child for a big part of the day, often before they are old enough to tell you exactly how that day went. That’s why it’s worth doing the research and asking clear questions about safety, teachers, daily routines, communication, meals, tuition, and drop-off logistics before you enroll.

The good news is that a single, thorough tour of a daycare center can answer many of your questions, as long as you know what to ask. Below are 25 important questions to guide your visit, organized into six simple categories. We’ve also included examples of answers you may hear from high-quality childcare programs, based on NAEYC recommendations and state licensing regulations, to help you compare your options with confidence. The key is to pay as much attention to how the director answers questions as to what they say, and grab the free printable checklist at the end to take along with you. 

If you’re in the Chicago area and want to see for yourself how we do things at LadyBug & Friends Daycare and Preschool, book a tour at your nearest location. 

Safety and licensing questions

This is without a single doubt your starting line, because safety and credentials are going to be your top priorities, for obvious reasons. Everything else on the list matters more once you know your child will be in safe, professional hands.

1. Are you licensed, and can I see your current license?

Why it matters: A license basically means that a state inspector has actually been inside and checked the place against minimum health and safety standards. It also tells you how many children the center can take in and which age ranges it’s approved for.

The answer you want to hear: A confident yes, followed by them walking you right over to the license on the wall. It’s an even better sign if they mention they’re inspected regularly and don’t frown at the question. Because licensing happens at the state level, you can also look up any center’s status and inspection history yourself through your state’s child care licensing agency. If you’re not sure where to start looking, Child Care Aware links out to every state’s database.

2. What is your staff-to-child ratio, and how big are the groups?

Why it matters: More than (almost) anything else, the staff-to-child ratio decides how much attention your child gets in a day, and how well they’re looked out for. Fewer kids per adult means more eyes on the room, more time in someone’s lap, and a quicker response when your little one needs something.

The answer you want to hear: The smaller the ratio, the better. A good rule of thumb is no more than three or four infants to one caregiver, with the number creeping up as children get older and more independent. Every state sets its own legal minimum, so ask what the ratio and group size are for your child’s age, and whether this center does better than the law requires. A director who rattles these numbers off without checking a binder clearly lives by them. And when different ages share a room, the ratio should follow the youngest child in it.

3. What background checks and training do staff complete before they start?

Why it matters: You’re about to trust people you’ve just met with the most important person in your life, therefore you have every right to know how carefully they were vetted. There is no reason to be embarrassed or reluctant to ask this question, as during those hours spent at daycare, your child’s wellbeing is their responsibility.

The answer you want to hear: Every staff member clears criminal background checks and child abuse and neglect registry checks, with current health records on file. A strong center will also tell you, without prompting, that someone trained in first aid, CPR, and the Heimlich maneuver is on site at all times, and that anyone working with babies is trained in safe sleep and SIDS prevention.

4. What are your emergency procedures?

Why it matters: A fire, a tornado warning, a flood, a medical scare, a lockdown – these things can happen, unfortunately. There’s no need to stress about things out of your control, of course, but you do want the comfort of knowing they’ve thought it all through long before anything happens.

The answer you want to hear: Real specifics, not just reassurances, is what you’re looking for here. Look for posted evacuation and shelter plans in every room, regular fire and weather drills, a clear plan for medical emergencies, and a fast way to reach every parent. Ask exactly how they’d let you know if something went wrong. If the answer here is vague or they seem unprepared for such unforeseen situations, you should take that very seriously.

5. What’s your sick policy?

Why it matters: A clear sick policy keeps your child protected from germs or illnesses other kids might carry, and it also gives you a realistic sense of how often you might get that dreaded ‘we will need you to come pick up your child’ call at work.

The answer you want to hear: A written illness policy that spells out when a child gets sent home (think fever, vomiting, certain rashes), how long they stay out, and what happens when something contagious is going around. You’re looking for a center that’s strict enough to keep sick kids home, but open with parents when any kind of illness is making the rounds. One LadyBug & Friends parent put it perfectly, ‘they are very fast at reacting when something is happening (virus outbreak) and great at sharing info with parents.’ That’s the instinct you want.

Staff and turnover questions

The curriculum and the facilities obviously matter a great deal, but it’s crucial to remember that young children bond with people first. The grown-ups in that room really are the program, and they will be the people your child will look to for answers and help during their time at daycare.

6. What are the teachers’ qualifications?

Why it matters: A good daycare provides a lot more than just babysitting services, and the people running the room make all the difference, so their qualifications and experience are critical. 

The answer you want to hear: Lead teachers with early childhood education credentials or coursework, ongoing training each year, and assistants who work under a qualified teacher. Ask for credentials, qualifications, and anything else you need to know to feel secure; a center that’s proud of its team will happily tell you all about them.

7. What’s your staff turnover like, and how long have the teachers here been with you?

Why it matters: This is one aspect that many parents tend to overlook, and it’s quietly one of the most revealing things about how a daycare runs. When teachers come and go constantly, your child has to keep re-bonding with new adults, and might even experience feelings of instability and abandonment if this happens a lot. Not to mention that a high turnover rate, no matter how experienced or qualified the teachers might be, often points to problems behind the scenes. 

The answer you want to hear: Honesty, paired with signs of a settled, ‘locked in’ team. You want to hear about teachers who’ve been there for years, or a director who knows everyone’s life story. If they get cagey on this one, gently push a little to try to get to the bottom of it. 

8. Who will actually be with my child each day?

Why it matters: The warm, friendly daycare director showing you around usually isn’t the person who’ll be in the room with the kids at nine in the morning. You’ll want to meet the people who will be spending time with your little one every day, too, not just the management staff. 

The answer you want to hear: They introduce you to the actual classroom teachers, or happily offer to do so. This way, you can get a real feel for the room your child would actually spend hours in, well beyond the polished lobby or waiting room. While you’re there, watch how the teachers talk to the kids: what you’re hoping to see is warmth, calmness, and talking to the child at their eye level.

9. How will you communicate with me during the day?

Why it matters: When your child can’t yet tell you about their day, either because they’re too young or don’t know how, the center becomes your only window into it.

The answer you want to hear: A real system, rather than ‘we’ll call you if there’s a problem’ – that won’t do much to ease your anxiety. Plenty of good centers use a parent app with daily photos, videos, meals, naps, and diaper or potty updates. At LadyBug & Friends, for instance, we send photos and updates through an app, so you can peek in on your little one between meetings. Ask what those daily updates look like, and how they’d handle it if you raised a concern.

Daily routine and curriculum

A good day at daycare has a rhythm to it, every hour is well-planned, with breaks, and the schedule is organized so that no child ever feels overwhelmed or bored. Ask them to walk you through how a usual day goes, hour by hour, so you can get a feel for what your child will be experiencing. 

10. What does a typical day look like?

Why it matters: The daily schedule quickly tells you whether there’s real structure and intention behind the day, or whether the kids are mostly just being kept busy until pickup.

The answer you want to hear: A clear rhythm that balances business and downtime: circle time, free play, meal breaks, outdoor play, naps, and learning woven through seamlessly. A daycare center that has its act together can talk you through it easily, because they do this on a daily basis and it’s ingrained at this point.

11. What’s your nap and sleep setup?

Why it matters: Rest takes up a big chunk of a young child’s day, and for babies, safe sleep is undoubtedly a safety issue, as well as a general wellbeing and health issue.

The answer you want to hear: A labeled cot or crib for every child who stays at the center long enough to rest, and for infants, safe, sturdy cribs with babies always placed down on their backs. You also want to hear that there will be someone supervising the children as they sleep at all times, whether in person, through cameras, or a mix of both. Lastly, it’s worth asking how they handle the child who fights every nap, because all daycare centers have one, and usually there will be a dedicated expert assigned to getting them to sleep.

12. How much outdoor time do kids get?

Why it matters: Fresh air and a chance to run around help kids get some sunshine, stretch, play, not to mention sleep better, eat better, and focus better. That’s why you’ll want to see outdoor time integrated in a daycare’s daily schedule. 

The answer you want to hear: Outdoor play every day, given that the weather allows, usually more than once for the little ones who need to move. A center that gets the kids outside daily is doing right by them. Of course, you also want to hear that outdoor spaces are fenced and secure and that the children won’t be left unsupervised while outside. 

13. Do you follow a curriculum, and what’s your approach to learning?

Why it matters: This is where the terms ‘daycare’ and ‘preschool’ start to blur in many parents’ minds. But it’s good to know that what’s printed on the sign out front matters far less than what’s really happening inside the room.

The answer you want to hear: A real, play-based curriculum with goals that fit each age, early reading and counting for the older kids, all folded into play rather than worksheets at a desk. Ask to see a sample lesson plan to get an idea of what the curriculum includes. LadyBug & Friends runs a curriculum the whole way through, with music, Spanish, and creative movement built in at no extra cost. And if you’re still in the stage of sorting out the difference between the two options, our guide on daycare vs. preschool lays it out.

14. What are your screen time rules?

Why it matters: Ah, the dreaded screens and gadgets every parent fears. The reality is that a screen is the easiest way in the world to keep a room of toddlers quiet, and that’s precisely why you want to make sure it isn’t the daily fallback.

The answer you want to hear: Little to no screen time allowed, and used with a purpose, if at all, as part of their learning activities. ‘We keep it very limited’ should be an answer that comes easily, and the staff should be able to tell you what the kids do instead.

Food and health

A solid daily meal plan is critical for a child’s development, so you want to make sure that they get healthy, scheduled meals during their time at daycare, and not just random snacks or quick bites here and there throughout the day. The last thing you want is your kid coming home from daycare with a massive sugar rush or feeling hungry. 

15. Are meals included, and what’s on the menu?

Why it matters: Food is both a real cost, as well as a daily signal of quality services when it comes to a daycare, and meals that are included in the tuition spare you the morning scramble of packing lunches.

The answer you want to hear: Posted menus and balanced meals and snacks that suit each age range. Some centers provide meals for the children, while others ask you to pack everything yourself, so it’s worth pinning down which. A good daycare center will provide a meal plan that includes breakfast and lunch, along with healthy morning and afternoon snacks, folded into the tuition price.

16. How do you handle food allergies and dietary needs?

Why it matters: For a child with allergies, this question stops being just a preference and becomes a critical safety question.

The answer you want to hear: A clear plan, with all allergies documented, staff trained to spot and respond to a reaction, critical medicine on hand, allergens kept well apart, and steady communication with you. They will also have an established plan for medical emergencies, from who makes the initial call and who provides first aid, to which hospital is nearest. A good center will be asking you plenty of detailed questions here, too.

17. What’s your approach to potty training?

Why it matters: Potty training goes so much more smoothly when the parents and the daycare are pulling in the same direction, and some programs expect it to be checked off the list before a child can move up a room.

The answer you want to hear: A collaborative effort between the child, the parents, and the daycare staff. They follow your child’s readiness, work with the routine you’ve got going at home, and never shame or punish a setback or potty accident. Ask whether potty training is required to move into the twos or preschool rooms, so that nothing catches you off guard later.

18. How do you handle medication?

Why it matters: If your child needs medicine during the day, you have to be able to trust it’s given safely, consistently, and tracked properly – with proof, if possible.

The answer you want to hear: Medication taken only in its original container, kept in a locked cabinet away from the kids, and logged every single time with the dose, the time, and who gave it to the child. A good center does all of this as a matter of course, without you even having to ask.

Costs and policies

We know that talking money on a tour might feel a little awkward, but do go ahead and ask anyway. The more openly a center talks about costs up front, the fewer surprises you’ll get on the bill later on, and of course, you need to know what you’re signing up for. 

19. What exactly does tuition include?

Why it matters: A lower sticker price stops being a bargain the moment you realize you’ll be paying separately for meals, supplies, and activities that another daycare has ‘built in.’

The answer you want to hear: A clear breakdown of what’s covered in the bill, because most quality daycare centers will include meals, learning materials, and enrichment in the total cost. Look for things like structured meal plans, a strong curriculum, and extra activities like music or movement classes included in the monthly tuition plan. Ask what’s bundled in, so you’re comparing the whole picture, not just the total number.

20. Are there any extra or hidden fees?

Why it matters: Registration, waitlist, supply, and late fees can add up fast, and the truth is that they’re easy to overlook – right up until the moment they land on your statement.

The answer you want to hear: Straightforward answers, ideally in writing. Ask specifically about enrollment, waitlist, and late-pickup charges. At LadyBug & Friends we’re upfront about our one-time $125 enrollment fee per child and a $150 waitlist fee, with a 5% sibling discount, and state it all plainly instead of tucking it away in the fine print.

21. What’s your policy for vacations, sick days, and holidays?

Why it matters: At most daycare centers, you have to pay to hold your child’s spot whether they show up or not, so you’ll want to understand the rules before you sign anything.

The answer you want to hear: A clear, written policy. Many centers do charge for your spot through vacations and sick days, since the staffing and the space are reserved for your child either way. There’s no single right approach here, but whatever it is should be stated plainly, not buried.

22. What does the contract and notice period look like?

Why it matters: It’s worth knowing how you’d leave before you ever join, and a fair exit policy is usually a sign of a fair center all around.

The answer you want to hear: A written enrollment agreement that lays out tuition, the payment schedule, arrival and pickup policies, the discipline policy, and how much notice you’d need to give to withdraw. A good center hands all of this over without any fuss.

Logistics

This is the practical stuff that decides whether a daycare truly fits your real life, not just looks good on paper. It doesn’t matter how wonderful the staff is or how excellent the facilities, if the daycare center is too far away or doesn’t fit your daily schedule, it won’t be a good fit.

23. What are your drop-off and pick-up hours?

Why it matters: The best center in town does you no good if it opens after you’re supposed to be at your desk or in your morning meetings.

The answer you want to hear: Hours that cover your real workday with a little breathing room on either side. Some daycares run 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Others might start later, at 8 a.m., or earlier. Be honest with yourself about your commute before you commit to anything, to avoid unnecessary stress.

24. What’s your late-pickup policy?

Why it matters: Traffic jams happen, cars break down, meetings run long, and emergencies can occur, so you’ll want to know the cost and the grace period before the day you actually need them.

The answer you want to hear: A clear policy, usually a per-minute or flat fee after closing, explained kindly and ideally written down. It’s also worth asking what happens if a child somehow isn’t picked up at all. Does a teacher stay with the child until an emergency contact is reached to come pick them up? You want to cover all of your bases.

25. Is there parking for drop-off and pick-up?

Why it matters: In a busy city or a packed suburb, this seemingly unimportant aspect turns into a daily, real-world headache – nothing like a daycare pick-up traffic jam to ruin your mood. Without dedicated parking, what should be a two-minute drop-off becomes ten minutes of circling the block, making both you and your little one late for the day.

The answer you want to hear: Easy, safe parking right out front, or at least a clear plan for drop-off. Picture a real busy morning, throw in some cranky weather, a restless kid in the backseat and a coffee in your hand, and ask yourself whether the logistics genuinely work for you.

Your free printable daycare checklist

Now that we’ve gone over all the details, we’ve turned all 25 questions into a clean, one-page checklist you can print and carry on every tour, with room to jot down answers and rate each center. Print one for each daycare you visit, then spread them out side by side at the end of the process. It’s amazing how fast the patterns jump out once they’re on paper right in front of you.

Download Your Daycare Tour Printable Checklist

If you’re looking in the Chicago area, come see how we work at LadyBug & Friends. Bring your checklist and put us to the test by booking a tour at the location nearest you.