Daycare Tour Questions: A Parent’s Checklist

A tour is easier to compare when you bring the same questions to each childcare facility. Choose the questions most relevant to your child’s age and your family’s schedule, and leave time to ask about anything you observe.

Before the visit

Confirm the appointment, which age group or classroom you will see, and whether you can meet the staff who would care for your child. Ask what the facility needs from you before visiting. Bring your required days and hours, desired start date, and any questions left unanswered by its published information.

Daily care and routines

• What does a typical day look like for this age group?
• How do you help a child settle in during the first days or weeks?
• How are meals, rest, outdoor time, and activities organized?
• What should parents supply, and what is included?
• How do you communicate changes in a child’s routine or needs?

Staff, supervision, and communication

• Who would usually care for my child, and how do you handle staff absences?
• What training and qualifications do staff have?
• What group sizes and staffing arrangements apply to this classroom?
• How do parents receive updates, ask questions, or raise a concern?
• How are arrival, authorized pickup, and visitor access handled?
• Where can I review your current written policies and relevant licensing records?

Record what the provider says and any written information it shares. These are questions to help you understand the program; a checklist cannot establish that a facility is suitable or safe.

Schedule and practical fit

• Can you accommodate our exact days and drop-off/pickup times?
• Which holidays, staff-development days, or other closures should we plan for?
• What happens if pickup is late?
• What are the procedures for illness, emergencies, or unexpected closures?
• What should we know about age-group transitions or schedule changes?

Tuition, fees, and enrollment

• What is tuition for our child’s age group and requested schedule?
• Is tuition billed weekly, monthly, or on another cycle?
• Are registration, meals, supplies, activities, or annual charges separate?
• Is a deposit refundable or credited toward tuition? When?
• Do tuition charges continue during holidays, absences, or closures?
• What notice is required for a schedule change or withdrawal?
• Is there an actual opening for our desired start date, or a waitlist?
• What must happen before a place is reserved?

Ask for a written fee schedule. Our guide to comparing childcare costs includes a worked example and the information needed for a useful estimate.

After the visit

Separate facts from impressions. “Pickup ends at 5:30 p.m.” is a stated policy; “communication felt comfortable” is your impression. Note the date, any questions still unanswered, and who will follow up. Avoid making your choice solely from a combined score that hides the details that matter to you.

In My Childcare, paid members can save private notes, check off tour questions, record a tour date, and set a follow-up reminder. You still arrange the visit directly with the facility.

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Published by The Child’s Nest. Confirm current policies and consult your state’s childcare resources for official information. Back to parent guides.