When the time comes to visit and meet daycare directors and caregivers whom you are considering to care for your child, don’t be afraid to ask too many questions or a question you may feel is silly. It is of utmost importance that you feel comfortable with the persons and setting where you are leaving your child, and the staff from a quality child care setting will understand your need for comfort and understanding.

Try to take notes, and use the checklist below. It will help you compare and contrast the different care settings you are considering.

Questions for a Family Day Care:

• How long have you been providing care?
• How long have you been providing care in this particular setting?
• Is your center currently licensed through the state?
• How often is your center visited to check for safety and cleanliness?
• How often are you visited to maintain your license or registration?
• What training do your caregivers have? (Look for first aid, CPR, and some early-childhood education training)
• Do you have your child abuse clearances and criminal background check? Do other adults in your home have these clearances also?
• Are your caregivers required to have their criminal background checks and child abuse clearances?
• What is your child to staff ratio? (Recommendations are: 3:1 in a center caring for infants, 4:1 for 2-year-olds, and 7:1 for 3-year-olds)
• How many children are currently being cared for, and what is the age span?
• What happens if you are ill or take a vacation?
• How many children do you care for?
• What are their ages?
• Is there one particular caregiver that my child would be assigned to? If so, who is he/she? Tell me about that person.
• What is a typical day like for the children in your care?
• Do you ever take children on outings or off-site? If so, how often; and where are some of the places you visit? Do you tell parents ahead of time and require written permission?
• How many children do you care for? What are their ages?
• How long have you been caring for the group of children who are currently under your supervision?
• Do you take the children outside every day, weather permitting?
• How much time do children spend watching television and movies, or playing video games?
• How do you discipline children?
• What meals and supplies do you provide?
• What is your policy regarding days when my child does not attend, such as staying home sick or family vacations? Do we still have to pay?
• Are you flexible if I sometimes have to drop my child off early or pick him/her up late?
• If my child were to become ill during the day, would you call me before administering medication?
• What types of activities are provided?
• Do the children have an opportunity to go outside, weather permitting?
• How much time are they allowed to watch television, movies, or play video games?
• What meals and supplies do you provide?
• How do you discipline children?
• Do you ever take children on outings or off-site? What sort of places do you visit, how do you transport them, and do you let parents know and request written permission ahead of time?
• If I should occasionally need to pick up my child late, or drop him/her off early, what is your policy?
• Will I be charged on the days when my child does not attend, such as being home sick or on vacation?

Additional Notes:

Questions for a Day Care Center:

• What training do your caregivers have? (Look for first aid, CPR, and some early-childhood education training)
• Are your caregivers required to have their criminal background checks and child abuse clearances?
• How long has this center been providing care for children?
• Is there one particular caregiver that my child would be assigned to? If so, who is he/she and tell me a little bit about that person.
• What is your child to staff ratio? (Recommendations are: 3:1 in a center caring for infants, 4:1 for 2-year-olds, and 7:1 for 3-year-olds)
• How many children are currently being cared for, and what is the age span?
• What types of activities are provided?
• Do the children have an opportunity to go outside, weather permitting?
• How much time are they allowed to watch television, movies, or play video games?
• What meals and supplies do you provide?
• How do you discipline children?
• Do you ever take children on outings or off-site? What sort of places do you visit, how do you transport them, and do you let parents know ahead of time about the outing?
• If I should occasionally need to pick up my child late, or drop him/her off early, what is your policy?
• Is your center currently licensed through the state?
• How often is your center visited to check for safety and cleanliness?
• What is your policy on ill children?
• Will I be charged on the days when my child does not attend, such as being home sick or on vacation?

Additional Notes: