Questions to Ask When Touring a Daycare
June 5, 2026 · 5 min read
A tour is your best chance to see what a daycare is really like. Walking in with a focused set of questions helps you compare options fairly and notice the things that matter. Here are the questions worth asking, grouped by topic.
Staff and ratios
- What is the staff-to-child ratio in my child's room?
- How long have the educators here been on staff? (Low turnover is a good sign.)
- What training and qualifications do educators have?
- Who covers breaks and absences?
Safety and health
- How do you handle drop-off, pickup, and authorized-person checks?
- What are your sick-child and illness policies?
- How are allergies and medication managed?
- What's your emergency and evacuation plan?
Daily routine
- What does a typical day look like?
- How much outdoor and active play happens daily?
- What's your approach to discipline and guiding behaviour?
- Are meals and snacks included, and what's on the menu?
Communication and fees
- How do you keep parents updated during the day?
- How do you handle a child who's struggling to settle in?
- What's the full monthly fee, and what's included?
- Do you participate in CWELCC or offer subsidized spaces?
Tip: pay attention to how staff interact with the children while you're there — it often tells you more than any answer.