50 Questions to Ask on a Daycare Tour

Why Most Daycare Tours Leave You with the Wrong Information

Most daycare directors are warm, enthusiastic, and good at their jobs. They'll show you the bright classrooms, introduce you to the lead teachers, and hand you a glossy brochure. You'll leave feeling good.

But feeling good and making an informed decision are different things. The information that matters most — staff turnover, what happens when a child is hurt, how discipline is actually handled — doesn't usually come up unless you ask.

This list gives you the questions that surface real information. You don't need to ask all 50. Pick the ones that matter most to you and your child.

Safety & Licensing

• Is the facility currently licensed by the state? Can I see the license?
• When was your last state inspection, and can I see the report?
• Have you had any citations or violations in the past two years? What were they?
• What is your staff-to-child ratio for my child's age group?
• What is your maximum licensed capacity, and how close to that are you currently?
• Are all staff members CPR and first aid certified? How recently were they trained?
• What is your background check process for all employees?
• How are visitors checked in and verified before entering?
• What are the security measures on exterior doors?
• Who is authorized to pick up my child, and how do you verify identity?

Staff & Turnover

• How long has your lead teacher been here?
• What is your staff turnover rate over the past year?
• What is your sick day policy for staff? Who covers when a teacher is out?
• What training or professional development do teachers receive?
• How many staff members will my child see on a typical day?
• Are the same teachers assigned to my child's classroom consistently, or does it rotate?

Daily Life

• What does a typical day look like for my child's age group, hour by hour?
• How much time is spent outdoors? Is there shaded outdoor space?
• What is your screen time policy?
• How do you handle nap time? Can my child skip nap if they've outgrown it?
• How are meals and snacks handled? Are they provided, and what's on the menu?
• Are children ever left unsupervised, even briefly?
• What happens during transitions between activities?

Communication

• How will you communicate with me about my child's day?
• Do you use an app? If so, which one, and how often are updates posted?
• How will I be notified if something happens — an injury, an incident, a concern?
• Can I drop by unannounced to check in?
• How do you handle a parent who has concerns or complaints?
• When will I receive formal progress updates or check-ins about my child's development?

Health & Illness

• What is your sick child policy? At what symptoms do you send a child home?
• What is the protocol if my child gets injured at the facility?
• How are medications administered, and what documentation is required?
• How do you handle allergies, including severe or anaphylactic allergies?
• How frequently are toys, surfaces, and bathrooms sanitized?
• What illness outbreaks have you had in the past year, and how were they managed?

Discipline & Behavior

• What is your discipline philosophy?
• How do you handle biting, hitting, or aggressive behavior between children?
• Have you ever had to ask a family to leave? Why?
• How do you support a child who is struggling socially or emotionally?
• What do you do when a child has a meltdown or is inconsolable?

Logistics

• What are your exact hours of operation?
• What holidays do you observe? Are there closures beyond standard holidays?
• What is your late pickup policy and fee?
• What is your vacation or withdrawal policy? How much notice is required?
• What happens if enrollment drops — are any rooms combined?

Financials

• What is the total monthly cost for my child's age group?
• Are there registration, supply, or activity fees on top of tuition?
• Do you offer sibling discounts?
• Do you offer any financial assistance or payment plans?
• Do you accept childcare subsidies (Texas Workforce Commission, employer benefits)?
• What is your tuition increase policy — how often, and how much notice do you give?

The Questions That Matter Most

If you only have time for a handful, prioritize these:

"What is your staff turnover rate?" — High turnover means children constantly bond with new caregivers. It's one of the strongest indicators of underlying problems.

"Can I come observe during a normal day — not a tour?" — The best programs say yes immediately.

"What happens if my child gets hurt?" — Listen for a clear, confident protocol. Vague answers are a red flag.

"How do you handle discipline?" — The answer should align with your values. "Time outs" and "we talk to them" are very different from "we redirect and co-regulate."

"How long has your director been here?" — Director stability predicts overall program stability.

What to Watch For During the Tour

Questions are only half the picture. Pay attention to:

• How staff interact when they don't know you're watching — Are they engaged with children, or on their phones?
• How children respond to staff — Do kids approach teachers comfortably, or seem tense?
• The noise level — Engaged and active is healthy. Chaotic or eerily silent are both worth noting.
• How drop-off looks for other families — Watch another parent leave. How does staff comfort upset children?
• Your gut — If something feels off, trust that.

Browse and compare daycares near you on CareCompass. Every listing includes license status, inspection history, and parent reviews — so you can shortlist before you ever schedule a tour.