If you’re interested in starting your child at daycare or want to transition them to a different one, you’ll need to visit potential facilities to check out their classrooms and staff. However, don’t let these tours overwhelm you—although there’s a lot to look at, you’ll feel better prepared if you come with a list of questions.
These questions will help you better understand the policies, procedures, and childcare philosophies of each daycare you visit. That way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision that leaves you feeling confident that you found the right fit for your little one.
12 Questions You Should Ask at a Daycare Tour
1. “What’s Your Curriculum or Philosophy on Child Care?”
Before you decide to send your newborn, infant, or toddler to a daycare, you will want a general sense of the facility’s beliefs, philosophies, and curriculum. This includes their feelings on education, socialization, wellness, and several other factors.
At Cornerstone Academy, our curriculum centers around play-based learning. We want to encourage early development while still having fun, and this involves an education that prioritizes movement, socialization, language development, imagination, art, and independence.
2. “What Are the Tuition or Enrollment Fees?”
Let’s face it: one of the most important factors when choosing a daycare is the cost of enrollment or tuition. As much as you wish you didn’t have to put a price on your child’s care, most parents or guardians are working within the confines of a budget. (And that’s okay!)
Asking about the cost should be one of your first questions. That way, if it ends up being far outside your budget, you will know right away that the facility is not right for you, and you won’t waste unnecessary time scheduling tours or filling out paperwork. You want to find a daycare that fits the needs of your child AND the finances of your family. But don’t worry—there are a lot of options out there.
3. “What Activities Do Children Do Throughout the Day?”
You want to enroll your child at a daycare that occupies, engages, and educates your child throughout the day! However, it’s important to note that some facilities will focus more on sports and physical activities, while others may be busier with arts, crafts, and education.
You’ll want to choose a daycare whose day-to-day activities align with your wants and needs for your child. At Cornerstone Academy, we like to offer a healthy blend of exercise and entertainment, with the ultimate goal of fostering growth and development each and every day.
4. “What is Your Ratio of Staff to Child?”
If there are too many children and not enough staff, your child may not receive the right amount of attention. That’s why it’s important to ask how many children are in each class and how many teachers, so you can get an understanding of their child-to-caregiver ratio.
The state requirements for child-to-caregiver ratios have been approved by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and are designed to ensure that the unique needs of each age category are met. At Cornerstone Academy, we always adhere to the recommended ratios, which are:
- Ages 6 weeks – 2 years: 1 teacher to 4 children
- Ages 2 – 2.5 years: 1 teacher to 6 children
- Ages 2.5 – 3 years: 1 teacher to 8 children
- Ages 3 – 4 years: 1 teacher to 10 children
- Ages 4- 5 years: 1 teacher to 13 children
- Ages 5 and up: 1 teacher to 17 children
5. “What Certifications Does Your Staff Have?”
You will want to choose a preschool that hires certified daycare teachers who are trained and able to properly educate and care for your children. There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of your child, so there is a certain comfort level established in choosing a daycare that staffs certified individuals at their location.
6. “Is Your Daycare Facility Fully Licensed?”
You’re going to want to ask the daycare if they’re fully licensed—and don’t be afraid to ask for proof if you’re not convinced. Licensing means that the daycare meets the mandatory health and safety standards specified by the state. This includes things like teacher-to-child ratios, staff background checks, on-site safety equipment, and the implementation of emergency procedures.
7. “How Do You Discipline Children?”
You will want to be comfortable with the disciplinary policy the child care facility or preschool subscribes to. Forms of discipline vary from daycare to daycare, and you will want to ensure that you have no issues with the method practiced at the daycare you choose.
Some popular forms of discipline include timeouts or reward systems (where good children receive rewards throughout the day, and children with bad behavior do not). At Cornerstone Academy, our approach to discipline varies: for ages under 3, we redirect, which involves changing their focus. For ages 3 and older, we redirect or may implement a cool-down period for 2 to 3 minutes when needed.
7. “Are Meals Provided?”
Some daycares provide meals or snacks for the children under their care, while others require parents to pack a healthy lunch. Cornerstone Academy provides a 9 AM, 2:30 PM, and 5:30 PM snack, but parents are expected to provide lunch.
For newborns, you will want to know the daycare’s policy on storing breast milk and whether they provide formula or not. It may help to ask for a list of what to pack for your newborn to ensure you have all the necessary items for the child care center to look after your son or daughter each day.
8. “Are Parents Allowed to Visit Throughout the Day?”
Some child care centers have strict policies on allowing parents and other adults to visit their children during the day. These facilities feel it is best to create a clear separation between the parents and the children during this time, so that the child is focused on their development and not distracted from the daycare’s routine.
If you feel you will want to visit your child from time to time throughout the week, you will want to know the daycare’s policy on this matter.
9. “What Happens if We Are Late for Pickup?”
Unfortunately, on occasion, parents are unable to arrive at a daycare in time for a scheduled pickup due to traffic or other inconveniences. Some child care centers are flexible with this, while others impose fines that are added to your weekly or monthly bills. If you fear there is the potential for you to be late for pickup often, you will want to find a daycare that does not impose such financial penalties.
10. “What is Your Policy on Illness?
Daycares often have policies concerning whether they’ll allow a child to come to their facility if ill, or when the child will be allowed to return to the facility after being ill. This policy is important for parents to know, especially during cold and flu season, when illnesses in the home are much more common.
11. “What Security Measures Are in Place?”
You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of your child! You can learn about the safety measures at a daycare by taking a tour and seeing it firsthand. If you want more information to determine whether or not you’ll be comfortable leaving your child there all day, don’t be afraid to ask questions! There may be extra security measures in place that you can’t see with the naked eye.
Some examples of common daycare security measures to look out for include:
- Locked entrances with buzz-in access
- Secure, fenced perimeters
- Verified end-of-day pickup system
- Surveillance cameras
- First-responder alert systems
12. “Do You Have References?”
You don’t always just have to take the daycare’s word for everything they say! You can read online reviews of each daycare and check out their social media channels. If there’s not a lot available, ask for a list of references of past or current parents at their facility. You will then be able to ask some of the same questions from this list and see how they feel about the child care center in question.
Looking for a Daycare? Tour Cornerstone Academy Today
At Cornerstone Academy, we understand that the process of finding a daycare can seem daunting. That’s why we’re here to make it as easy for you as possible! Either contact us today or stop in for a tour of our facility at any time.
We’re always available to show you around, and won’t shy away from any questions! That’s because we pride ourselves on offering families in and around Kenosha, Wisconsin, a safe, educational, and fun experience that your child will love.
