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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.
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.
We recommend visiting the daycare center
more than once to see if your perception
has changed. Don’t forget to bring your
daycare checklist with you at all return
visits to observe any modifications from
your last visit.
Use this daycare
checklist tool along with
references
from other parents in the area,
interviews with other parents attending
the center, state background checks and
your mother’s or father’s instinct to
decide on the best daycare center for
your child.
Get a
head-start on your
daycare checklist at our FAQs
page!
Daycare checklist:
Availability
Questions to ask:
o
What
ages are accepted?
o
What
time can I drop my child off?
o
What is
the latest time that I can pick up my
child?
o
What
holidays are you closed?
o
Do you
have space available for my child?
o
Can I
choose from a full-time or part-time
schedule?
o
If my
child attends daycare part-time, do I
need a set schedule?
o
Can I
visit the facility without an
appointment?
o
Do you
have a list of references that I can
call?
What to
look for:
o
Does
someone answer phone calls promptly?
o
Is a
director conveniently available to
answer questions?
Staff training and facility licensing
Questions to ask:
o
Are you
licensed and accredited?
o
How
long has your facility been providing
daycare?
o
What is
the caregiver to child ratio?
o
Does
your staff have training in early
childhood development?
o
Are
teachers trained in first aid and CPR?
o
What is
your staff turnover?
o
Are
background checks completed on staff
members?
What to
look for:
o
Is
there a certification license posted?
o
Are
there any state violations posted?
Daily activities and schedules
Questions to ask:
o
Are nap
times provided? What time and where?
o
What
activities will be available for my
child?
o
Will my
child go on field trips outside the
facility?
o
Is
there an education curriculum?
o
How
much time do they watch television
during the day?
o
Do you
offer transportation? If so, from what
schools or locations?
What
to look for:
o
What
activities are children doing?
Meals
Questions to ask:
o
Are
meals provided by the daycare?
o
Are
snacks provided by the daycare?
o
Are
they nutritious meals and snacks?
o
Do they
allow for special needs diets?
o
Are
parents given a monthly menu?
o
Do you
have adequate storage for breast milk?
What to look for:
o
Are the
kitchen and eating areas clean?
o
Is
breast milk labeled?
o
Are
food allergies noted for teachers?
Care
Questions to ask:
o
How are
they disciplined?
o
How do
you handle toilet training?
What to look for:
o
Are the
children given lots of love and
encouragement?
o
How
does staff interact with children?
Environment
Questions to ask:
o
Do you
have an outdoor playground?
o
Are
there personal cribs for each infant?
o
Are
there separate rooms for each age group?
o
Is the
staff allowed to smoke on facility
premises?
o
Are
animals allowed on premise? (at-home
daycares only)
o
Are
there provisions for children with
special needs?
What to look for:
o
What
toys and activities are available?
o
Does
the center look well-kept?
Illness
Questions to ask:
o
What is
your sick policy?
o
What do
you do if my child becomes sick at
daycare?
o
What is
your policy for handling falls or
incidents?
o
Are
immunizations required?
o
Do you
dispense medication only with a parent
or doctor’s signature?
Safety
Questions to ask:
o
Is
there a safety plan in place in case of
an emergency?
o
Are
there restrictions on who may pick up my
child?
o
Are
these restrictions confirmed?
o
Are
parents called when a child does not
show up at the appropriate time?
o
Does
the playground equipment meet safety
standards?
o
Are
hazardous materials kept out of reach of
children?
o
Is
there a first aid kit?
o
Do they
have smoke detectors?
o
Are
fire exits marked and caregivers
knowledgeable in a fire safety plan?
What to look for:
o
Are
safety gates working?
o
Does
the playground equipment look safe?
o
Where
are smoke detectors?
o
Where
are hazardous materials?
o
Are
fire exits marked?
o
Are
heating vents and radiators covered or
inaccessible to children?
Sanitation
Questions to ask:
o
How
often are toys washed? What do you use
to clean them?
o
Do
caregivers use gloves when handling food
and when changing diapers?
o
Are
children taught to wash their hands
before eating and after using the
toilet?
What
to look for:
o
Does
the facility look clean and composed
during an unexpected visit?
o
Are
toys and furniture in good condition and
up-to-date?
o
Are
caregivers using gloves?
o
Is soap
and paper towels provided in each
restroom?
Registration and fees
Questions to ask:
o
How do
I register my child?
o
I am
pregnant. How do I reserve a space for
my infant?
o
What
are your daycare fees for full-time?
Part-time?
o
Do you
accept any kind of financial aid?
o
Is
there a reduction in fees if my child
takes vacation?
o
Is
there a sibling discount?
o
What is
the fee for picking up my child late?
Before
you make a decision on a daycare
facility, don’t forget to factor in how
convenient the center is to your work or
home. Decide who will be dropping off
and picking up your child and figure out
if the daycare center’s location and
hours provide enough travel time.
Remember to include extra travel time
for a late meeting or inclement
weather.
Considering Almost Home Child
Development Center for your child? Visit
our
frequently asked questions
page to get a head-start on completing
your daycare checklist. If you have any
more questions, please call us at our
Oconomowoc daycare center at
262-569-5655.
We also welcome you to drop by our
centers at any time.
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