I work at a daycare and I think this is very important with comes to putting your child into someone elses care some things you have to think about.

Finding a daycare that is a good fit for your child is one of the most important choices we make as parents. This daycare checklist provides information that may help you make that key decision. The daycare checklist includes questions to ask the staff as well as what to watch for while touring daycare center facilities. I happen to work at a daycare and there's alot of things you need to look for.



Touring each daycare center is important! An impromptu visit is even better so you can get a true feeling of what happens at the facility during a “typical” day. When unexpected visits are welcomed by a daycare facility, it becomes another positive “checkmark” for the daycare checklist.



Availability
Questions to ask:
oWhat ages are accepted?
oWhat time can I drop my child off?
oWhat is the latest time that I can pick up my child?
oWhat holidays are you closed?
oDo you have space available for my child?
oCan I choose from a full-time or part-time schedule?
oIf my child attends daycare part-time, do I need a set schedule?
oCan I visit the facility without an appointment?
oDo you have a list of references that I can call?


What to look for:
oDoes someone answer phone calls promptly?
oIs a director conveniently available to answer questions?

Staff training and facility licensing
Questions to ask:
oAre you licensed and accredited?
oHow long has your facility been providing daycare?
oWhat is the caregiver to child ratio?
oDoes your staff have training in early childhood development?
oAre teachers trained in first aid and CPR?
oWhat is your staff turnover?
oAre background checks completed on staff members?
What to look for:
oIs there a certification license posted?
oAre there any state violations posted?

Daily activities and schedules
Questions to ask:
oAre nap times provided? What time and where?
oWhat activities will be available for my child?
oWill my child go on field trips outside the facility?
oIs there an education curriculum?
oHow much time do they watch television during the day?
oDo you offer transportation? If so, from what schools or locations?
What to look for:
oWhat activities are children doing?

Meals
Questions to ask:
oAre meals provided by the daycare?
oAre snacks provided by the daycare?
oAre they nutritious meals and snacks?
oDo they allow for special needs diets?
oAre parents given a monthly menu?
oDo you have adequate storage for breast milk?
What to look for:
oAre the kitchen and eating areas clean?
oIs breast milk labeled?
oAre food allergies noted for teachers?

Care
Questions to ask:
oHow are they disciplined?
oHow do you handle toilet training?
o Do you have a extra diapers if diapers aren't provided.
What to look for:
oAre the children given lots of love and encouragement?
oHow does staff interact with children?

Environment
Questions to ask:
oDo you have an outdoor playground?
oAre there personal cribs for each infant?
oAre there separate rooms for each age group?
oIs the staff allowed to smoke on facility premises?
oAre animals allowed on premise? (at-home daycares only)
oAre there provisions for children with special needs?
What to look for:
oWhat toys and activities are available?
oDoes the center look well-kept?

Illness
Questions to ask:
oWhat is your sick policy?
oWhat do you do if my child becomes sick at daycare?
oWhat is your policy for handling falls or incidents?
oAre immunizations required?
oDo you dispense medication only with a parent or doctor’s signature?

Safety
Questions to ask:
oIs there a safety plan in place in case of an emergency?
oAre there restrictions on who may pick up my child?
oAre these restrictions confirmed?
oAre parents called when a child does not show up at the appropriate time?
oDoes the playground equipment meet safety standards?
oAre hazardous materials kept out of reach of children?
oIs there a first aid kit?
oDo they have smoke detectors?
oAre fire exits marked and caregivers knowledgeable in a fire safety plan?





What to look for:
oAre safety gates working?
oDoes the playground equipment look safe?
oWhere are smoke detectors?
oWhere are hazardous materials?
oAre fire exits marked?
oAre heating vents and radiators covered or inaccessible to children?

Sanitation
Questions to ask:
oHow often are toys washed? What do you use to clean them?
oDo caregivers use gloves when handling food and when changing diapers?
oAre children taught to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet?


What to look for:
oDoes the facility look clean and composed during an unexpected visit?
oAre toys and furniture in good condition and up-to-date?
oAre caregivers using gloves?
oIs soap and paper towels provided in each restroom?

Registration and fees
Questions to ask:
oHow do I register my child?
oI am pregnant. How do I reserve a space for my infant?
oWhat are your daycare fees for full-time? Part-time?
oDo you accept any kind of financial aid?
oIs there a reduction in fees if my child takes vacation?
oIs there a sibling discount?
oWhat is the fee for picking up my child late?