Daycare Interview Questions Deep Dive 2026: What to Ask and Why

The daycare tour is your opportunity to gather critical information about where your child might spend 40+ hours per week. But knowing which questions to ask—and how to interpret the answers—makes all the difference between a thorough evaluation and a superficial visit.

This guide goes beyond basic question lists to explain what each question reveals, how to evaluate answers, what red flags to watch for, and how to use the interview to truly understand whether a program is right for your child and family.

Table of Contents

• How to Approach the Interview
• Safety and Licensing Questions
• Staff and Supervision Questions
• Daily Routine Questions
• Philosophy and Approach Questions
• Practical and Logistics Questions
• Red Flag Recognition

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How to Approach the Interview

Setting yourself up for success.

Before the Tour

Prepare by:

• Researching the program online
• Checking licensing status
• Reading reviews
• Noting your priorities
• Preparing questions in writing
• Bringing notebook/phone for notes

During the Tour

Observe while asking: | Observe | What It Tells You | |---------|-------------------| | How children interact | Emotional climate | | How staff respond | Care quality | | Cleanliness | Maintenance standards | | Child engagement | Program quality | | Overall atmosphere | Daily reality |

Types of Questions

Strategic questioning:

• Open-ended questions: Reveal philosophy and depth
• Specific questions: Get concrete answers
• Follow-up questions: Clarify and dig deeper
• Scenario questions: Show how they handle situations
• Verification questions: Confirm what you've observed

Who to Ask

Talk to:

• Director (policies, philosophy)
• Your child's potential teacher (daily care)
• Other parents if possible (real experience)
• Staff you encounter (culture)

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Safety and Licensing Questions

The foundation of quality.

Licensing and Compliance

Question: "Can I see your current license?"

What it reveals:

• Compliance with state regulations
• Whether license is current
• Capacity limits
• Any violations noted

Good answer: License prominently displayed, current date, happy to show and explain.

Red flag: Hesitation, license not available, expired date.

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Question: "What was your most recent licensing inspection result?"

What it reveals:

• Recent compliance history
• How they handle feedback
• Transparency about challenges

Good answer: Open discussion of results, any corrections made, willingness to share report.

Red flag: Defensive response, claims they don't know, refusal to discuss.

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Emergency Preparedness

Question: "What's your emergency evacuation plan?"

What it reveals:

• Preparedness for emergencies
• Staff training level
• Communication systems

Good answer: Detailed plan, practice schedule, clear communication protocol, willing to show routes.

Red flag: Vague response, no written plan, hasn't practiced recently.

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Question: "How often do you practice emergency drills?"

What it reveals:

• Actual preparedness vs paperwork
• Age-appropriate practice
• Regulatory compliance

Good answer: Monthly fire drills, quarterly other drills, documented, age-appropriate approach.

Red flag: Infrequent drills, no documentation, only "when required."

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Health and Safety

Question: "How are medications handled and stored?"

What it reveals:

• Medication safety protocols
• Staff training
• Documentation practices

Good answer: Locked storage, written permission required, trained staff only administer, documentation for each dose.

Red flag: Unsecured storage, anyone can give medication, poor documentation.

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Question: "What's your policy on sick children?"

What it reveals:

• Illness prevention practices
• How they'll handle your sick child
• Realistic expectations

Good answer: Clear symptoms list, 24-hour fever-free rule, isolation area, prompt parent notification.

Red flag: Vague policy, keeps visibly sick children, no clear guidelines.

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Staff and Supervision Questions

The people caring for your child.

Staff Qualifications

Question: "What qualifications do teachers have?"

What it reveals:

• Education and training levels
• Professional development investment
• Quality indicators

Good answer: Specific credentials, ongoing training requirements, CDA or degree common, specialized infant training if applicable.

Red flag: Can't specify, no training requirements, high variability.

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Question: "What background checks do you conduct?"

What it reveals:

• Safety vetting process
• Compliance with regulations
• Thoroughness

Good answer: Criminal, sex offender registry, child abuse registry, reference checks, fingerprinting, regular updates.

Red flag: Minimal checks, not all staff checked, no regular updates.

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Staff Stability

Question: "What's your staff turnover rate?"

What it reveals:

• Workplace quality
• Relationship continuity
• Program stability

Good answer: Knows the rate, explains retention efforts, acknowledges industry challenges, many long-term staff.

Red flag: Doesn't know, very high turnover, defensive about question.

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Question: "How long has my child's potential teacher been here?"

What it reveals:

• Stability in your child's room
• Teacher experience
• Likelihood of continuity

Good answer: Specific answer, teacher longevity, introduction offered.

Red flag: New teacher, vague answer, frequent room changes.

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Supervision Practices

Question: "What are your staff-to-child ratios throughout the day?"

What it reveals:

• Attention each child receives
• Compliance with regulations
• Practical realities

Good answer: Specific ratios by age, how maintained during breaks/transitions, better than state minimum ideal.

Red flag: At minimum only, doesn't know, ratios slip regularly.

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Question: "How do you handle nap time supervision?"

What it reveals:

• Supervision during vulnerable time
• Sleep safety practices
• Staff deployment

Good answer: Staff always present, safe sleep practices, regular checks, infant monitoring.

Red flag: Minimal supervision, staff do other tasks, no check system.

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Daily Routine Questions

Understanding the day-to-day.

Schedule and Structure

Question: "Can you walk me through a typical day?"

What it reveals:

• Daily structure
• Activity variety
• Developmental appropriateness
• Flexibility

Good answer: Detailed schedule, balance of activities, outdoor time, flexibility for individual needs.

Red flag: Very vague, too rigid, excessive screen time, limited outdoor time.

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Question: "How much outdoor time do children get?"

What it reveals:

• Commitment to physical activity
• Access to outdoor space
• Weather flexibility

Good answer: Specific daily amount (minimum 30-60 min), weather guidelines, age-appropriate activities.

Red flag: Little outdoor time, "weather permitting" only, poor outdoor space.

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Meals and Nutrition

Question: "What meals and snacks do you provide?"

What it reveals:

• Nutrition quality
• Food allergy management
• Cost inclusion

Good answer: Balanced meals, follows CACFP guidelines, accommodates allergies, includes or clear policy.

Red flag: Unhealthy options, can't accommodate allergies, hidden costs.

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Question: "How do you handle food allergies?"

What it reveals:

• Safety protocols
• Staff training
• Communication systems

Good answer: Written allergy plans, staff training, separate preparation, EpiPen protocols if needed.

Red flag: Casual attitude, no written plans, kitchen not aware.

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Learning and Development

Question: "What curriculum do you use?"

What it reveals:

• Educational approach
• Intentionality of programming
• Developmental focus

Good answer: Named curriculum or approach, explains philosophy, age-appropriate activities, assessment methods.

Red flag: No curriculum, "just play," can't explain approach, academic pressure on young children.

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Question: "How do you assess children's development?"

What it reveals:

• Attention to individual growth
• Communication with parents
• Developmental awareness

Good answer: Regular observation, developmental milestones tracked, parent conferences, portfolio or documentation.

Red flag: No assessment, only academic metrics, no parent communication.

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Philosophy and Approach Questions

Understanding their values.

Discipline and Behavior

Question: "How do you handle challenging behaviors?"

What it reveals:

• Discipline philosophy
• Developmentally appropriate practices
• Staff training

Good answer: Positive guidance approach, age-appropriate expectations, redirection, partnership with parents, never physical punishment.

Red flag: Punitive approach, time-outs for infants, vague response, physical punishment.

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Question: "What do you do when a child is having a hard day?"

What it reveals:

• Emotional support practices
• Staff sensitivity
• Individual attention

Good answer: Comfort-based response, tries to understand cause, communicates with parents, sees behavior as communication.

Red flag: Punitive response, isolation, labels children as "bad."

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Parent Partnership

Question: "How do you communicate with parents?"

What it reveals:

• Communication frequency
• Methods used
• Partnership approach

Good answer: Daily reports, app/system used, open door policy, conferences available, responsive to questions.

Red flag: Minimal communication, no daily updates, difficult to reach, defensive about questions.

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Question: "How do you handle parent concerns?"

What it reveals:

• Responsiveness to feedback
• Problem-solving approach
• Parent relationships

Good answer: Open to feedback, clear process, timely response, works toward solutions, values partnership.

Red flag: Defensive, dismissive, no clear process, takes concerns personally.

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Inclusion and Diversity

Question: "How do you support children with different needs?"

What it reveals:

• Inclusion practices
• Flexibility
• Training and resources

Good answer: Individualized approaches, experience with various needs, works with specialists, accommodations made.

Red flag: Not experienced, rigid approach, seems unwilling.

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Question: "How do you incorporate diversity in your program?"

What it reveals:

• Cultural responsiveness
• Inclusive environment
• Values alignment

Good answer: Diverse materials, celebrates different cultures, represents all families, ongoing learning.

Red flag: "We treat everyone the same" without specifics, no visible diversity, never considered it.

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Practical and Logistics Questions

The everyday details.

Schedule and Availability

Question: "What are your hours and holiday closures?"

What it reveals:

• Schedule compatibility
• Annual closure days
• Planning requirements

Good answer: Clear hours, annual calendar provided, reasonable closures, advance notice policy.

Red flag: Hours don't match needs, excessive closures, last-minute changes common.

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Question: "What's your current availability and waitlist?"

What it reveals:

• When spot available
• Realistic timeline
• Demand level

Good answer: Clear timeline, waitlist process explained, keeps in communication.

Red flag: Very long wait with no options, unclear about availability, no communication during wait.

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Costs and Contracts

Question: "What is the total cost including all fees?"

What it reveals:

• True cost
• Hidden fees
• Budget impact

Good answer: Comprehensive breakdown, all fees disclosed, annual estimates, payment schedule clear.

Red flag: Unclear about total, fees revealed later, surprise charges common.

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Question: "What's your sick day and vacation policy?"

What it reveals:

• Payment expectations
• Flexibility
• Financial planning

Good answer: Clear policy, some flexibility for illness, reasonable vacation policy, expectations stated.

Red flag: Pay for all days regardless, no sick day allowance, excessive fees.

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Transitions

Question: "How do you handle the initial transition?"

What it reveals:

• Onboarding process
• Separation support
• Parent involvement

Good answer: Gradual transition plan, parent visits welcomed, strategies for separation, communication during adjustment.

Red flag: No transition process, immediate full-day start, parents discouraged from visiting.

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Question: "How do children move between classrooms?"

What it reveals:

• Transition practices
• Continuity of care
• Communication

Good answer: Gradual transition, advance notice, visits to new room, information transfer, parent communication.

Red flag: Abrupt transitions, no notice, no preparation support.

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Red Flag Recognition

What answers should concern you.

Immediate Red Flags

Walk away if:

• Can't produce license
• Defensive about safety questions
• Staff seem angry or frustrated
• Children appear distressed
• Facilities are dirty or dangerous
• Won't allow you to see all areas

Yellow Flags

Proceed with caution if: | Flag | Concern | |------|---------| | High turnover | Stability issues | | Vague answers | Lack of systems | | Only positive | May hide problems | | Pressure to enroll | Sales over fit | | Can't explain curriculum | Limited intentionality |

Answer Quality Assessment

Strong answers are:

• Specific and detailed
• Honest about challenges
• Backed by documentation
• Consistent with what you observe
• Welcome follow-up questions

Weak answers are:

• Vague or evasive
• Only positive
• Inconsistent with observations
• Defensive in tone
• Rush to close questions

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After the Interview

Questions to Ask Yourself

Reflect on:

• [ ] Did I feel welcome?
• [ ] Were questions answered thoroughly?
• [ ] Did observations match answers?
• [ ] Can I picture my child here?
• [ ] Did staff seem happy?
• [ ] Were children engaged?

Comparing Programs

Create comparison chart: | Factor | Program A | Program B | |--------|-----------|-----------| | Location | | | | Cost | | | | Hours | | | | Philosophy match | | | | Gut feeling | | |

Trust Your Instincts

After all questions:

• How did it feel?
• Would you want to spend time there?
• Did something feel off?
• Can you see your child thriving?
• Do you trust these people?

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Resources

• Find Quality Daycare Near You
• Daycare Safety Checklist
• Daycare Tour Guide
• First Week of Daycare Guide

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Last updated: December 2025