Questions to Ask When Touring a Daycare
When looking at daycares, you will need to be prepared with a list of questions to ask.  Here are a few questions to ask while you are on a tour to get more information about the daycare facility or home that you are touring. Make sure that you call ahead and schedule a time to take a tour. Most often, daycares do not permit visitors during certain times of the day.
Hours
Make sure that you understand the hours that the day care is open and when it closes. Find out how many hours a child can stay in daycare in your area which can vary from state to state. For example, the daycare may be open from 5:30am to 6:30pm but your child is only able to stay for 10 hours. You will need to think of your work schedule and then make sure that your drop off time works with your pick up time and is within the time allotment. Also make sure you are aware of late pick-up policies and child abandonment rules.
Ratio
What is the ratio of kids to teachers per room? There are state laws as how many children can be in a room with a determined amount of adults. Make sure the daycare is following this policy, it is part of their licensing requirements.
Teachers
What types of credentials are teachers or daycare owners required to have? There are child care programs that providers can take to be trained for handling types of situations; kids fighting, first aid, emotional issues, etc. At minimum, the day care should be doing back ground checks on all employees.
Sick policy
When do kids get sent home? Is it a temperature or based on visual illness like vomiting or diarrhea? This is important for 2 completely separate reasons. One, is for you to plan ahead and know what the chances are that you will get a call at work. The second reason is to know when other kids that are sick will have to go home. Even though you may want a relaxed policy, you really do not because if it is then all the sick kids are getting your kids sick. Chances are that when your kids are sent home sick, you will soon follow and get sick yourself.
Cleanliness
What is your first impression? Do you see food all over the walls or a strong smell of diapers? Remember that your kids are probably not perfect and every so often throw food on the ground and quite often brew something in their diaper. But there is a difference between that and a chronic smell. If you feel that the facility is not up to par, make a note of it for when you are making a decision.
Structure
Ask what a normal day is like? What happens during the day and what types of activities take place. Is there a library bus that comes in, a language teacher or a music teacher? These all might be extra items that not all daycares offer, but it is good to ask. Ask about daily activities and make sure that there is a schedule to keep or child interested throughout the day.
Each parent will have other questions that are also important. These items are just a few to get you started. If this is your first child or your first time having kids in daycare, then these questions can serve as a starting point. Good luck and be patient; you will find a daycare that will work for you and your child.
