Questions to Ask in Evaluating a Child Care Provider

The following are questions you may ask to yourself or the Day Care center you are evaluating:

Facility

1. Does the facility have a visible current license, if required?
2. How long has the Child Care Center been in business?
3. What is the total number of children enrolled?
4. Does the Day Care currently have openings? If not, is there a waiting list and how long is it?
5. Does the caregiver/program furnish references?
6. Is the facility clean, uncluttered, and free of hazards?
7. Does the facility have a safe outdoor play area?

8. May I come see my child anytime I want?
9. Do you give tours of the Day Care center?
10. Before my child is enrolled, may I sit in a classroom with my child?

Scheduling

1. What hours is the Day Care center open?
2. If my child is going to come part time, is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (for example) available?
3. What is the Day Care center's vacation schedule?
4. If my child is sick and misses a day, can they make up that day?

Staff

1. What is the child to staff ratio?
2. Is the child to staff ratio within the state's child care licensing regulations?
3. Are there enough caregivers to give proper attention to all children at all times?
4. Is the caregiver friendly and eager to care for children?
5. Do you screen your Day Care staff?
6. What are the credentials of your Day Care staff?
7. Are persons caring for children trained in child care and development?

Fees

1. What are the weekly/daily fees for your Day Care center?
2. When do you bill and what forms of payment do you accept?
3. Can you automatically charge my credit card?
4. Are there additional fees for materials or is that included?
5. Is there a late pickup fee?

Equipment and Furniture

1. Does the facility have enough equipment for all children?
2. Does the facility have child-sized and/or adapted furniture and bathroom facilities?
3. Does the classroom play equipment fit my child?
4. How old is the Day Care classroom furniture and if anything is broken is it being replaced?
5. Where are my child's personal belongings going to be stored? Cubbies?
6. Why type of outdoor play equipment do you have?
7. Where will my child sleep and on what? Mats?
8. Does the Day Care facility have diaper changing stations?
9. Does the Day Care faciliy have a washer and dryer?
10. Is the classroom equipped with equipment safe for my infant?

Health and Safety

1. Are there emergency procedures and routine fire drills?
2. Do you use check in / check out software?
3. When do you encourage the children the wash their hands?
4. Will you potty train my child and what is your method?
5. Do you require a copy of my child's immunization record?
6. How safe is the outdoor play area?
7. How do you keep track of children's allergies?

Program

1. Does the facility provide a variety of activities to help children develop intellectually, emotionally, and socially?
2. Do the children in care seem happy and content?
3. Do the discipline and child rearing philosophies agree with yours?
4. Are parents welcome to visit during hours of operation?
5. Does caregiver participate in ongoing child care and development training?
6. Does the facility operate during hours that will fit your work schedule?
7. Is parent participation/involvement part of the program?
8. How do I know what my child's daily schedule and what they learned?
9. What is the daily schedule? Feeding times? Nap times? Outdoor Play time? Circle time?
10. Do you offer field trips?
11. How do you discipline a child?
12. Do the children watch television, and if so, how often?

Food and Sleeping

1. Do you provide Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks?
2. Does the Day Care center have a kitchen?
3. Do you have a monthly menu?
4. Is the food you provide approved by CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)?
5. What is the nap schedule?
6. How are baby bottles heated?
7. Where do infants sleep?
8. How are infants fed? On deamand? Schedule?
9. Will you provide me a daily report for my infant?