Daycare Tour Checklist 2026: What to Look For and Ask

Touring a daycare is your best opportunity to see what daily life looks like for your child. A good tour helps you evaluate the environment, meet the staff, and gather the information you need to make the right decision.

This guide provides a complete daycare tour checklist for 2026: what to look for, questions to ask, red and green flags to watch for, and how to evaluate everything you see.

Table of Contents

• Before Your Tour
• First Impressions
• What to Observe
• Questions to Ask
• Red Flags to Watch For
• Green Flags to Notice
• After the Tour

---

Before Your Tour

Prepare for success.

Schedule Strategically

Best times to tour:

• During active hours (9-11 AM, 2-4 PM)
• When your child's age group is engaged
• On different days if possible
• When you're not rushed

Avoid:

• Nap times
• Pickup/drop-off rush
• When you can only stay briefly

What to Bring

Tour essentials:

• [ ] This checklist (printed or on phone)
• [ ] Questions written down
• [ ] Pen and notepad
• [ ] Your child (optional—see below)
• [ ] Camera (if allowed)

Should You Bring Your Child?

Pros:

• See how child reacts
• See how staff interact with your child
• Child becomes familiar

Cons:

• Hard to focus on tour
• Child may distract you
• Can return with child later

Recommendation: First tour alone, second with child

Research First

Before you arrive:

• Check licensing status
• Read online reviews
• Note questions from research
• Know your priorities
• Review their website/materials

---

First Impressions

What you notice immediately.

Arrival Experience

Notice:

• [ ] Is it easy to find?
• [ ] Safe parking and entry?
• [ ] Clean exterior?
• [ ] Secure entry system?
• [ ] Greeted promptly and warmly?

Initial Feeling

Ask yourself:

• Does it feel welcoming?
• Is it clean and organized?
• What's the noise level?
• What's the overall atmosphere?
• Would I want to be here?

Reception Area

Look for:

• [ ] Professional appearance
• [ ] Parent information visible
• [ ] Licensing posted
• [ ] Sign-in procedures
• [ ] Security measures clear

---

What to Observe

Look carefully at everything.

The Physical Environment

Cleanliness:

• [ ] Floors clean?
• [ ] Surfaces sanitary?
• [ ] Bathrooms clean?
• [ ] No strong odors (good or bad)?
• [ ] Toys clean and in good condition?

Safety:

• [ ] Childproofed outlets?
• [ ] Secure cabinets?
• [ ] Safe furniture (no sharp edges)?
• [ ] Fire extinguishers visible?
• [ ] Emergency exits marked?
• [ ] No tripping hazards?

Space:

• [ ] Enough room for children?
• [ ] Not overcrowded?
• [ ] Organized learning areas?
• [ ] Natural lighting?
• [ ] Comfortable temperature?

Classroom Setup

Learning environment:

• [ ] Age-appropriate materials?
• [ ] Accessible to children?
• [ ] Variety of activities?
• [ ] Organized learning centers?
• [ ] Child artwork displayed?
• [ ] Books visible and accessible?

Areas to see:

• [ ] Reading/quiet area
• [ ] Art area
• [ ] Block/building area
• [ ] Dramatic play area
• [ ] Sensory/science area
• [ ] Gross motor space

Teacher-Child Interactions

This is crucial—watch carefully:

• [ ] Are teachers at children's level?
• [ ] Are they engaged and attentive?
• [ ] Are interactions warm?
• [ ] How do they handle conflicts?
• [ ] Do children seem comfortable approaching teachers?
• [ ] Is there positive communication?

Listen for:

• Tone of voice (warm? harsh?)
• Language used (positive? negative?)
• How names are used
• Encouragement vs. criticism

Children's Behavior

Observe the children:

• [ ] Do they seem happy?
• [ ] Are they engaged?
• [ ] How do they interact with each other?
• [ ] Do they seem comfortable?
• [ ] Are they playing or just sitting?
• [ ] Do they approach teachers readily?

Outdoor Area

Essential to see:

• [ ] Secure fencing?
• [ ] Age-appropriate equipment?
• [ ] Safe ground surface?
• [ ] Shaded areas?
• [ ] Clean and maintained?
• [ ] Adequate supervision space?

Nap/Rest Areas

For your child's age:

• [ ] Safe sleep setup (cribs for infants)?
• [ ] Cots/mats appropriate?
• [ ] Clean bedding?
• [ ] Quiet environment?
• [ ] Appropriate supervision?

Eating Areas

Meal time considerations:

• [ ] Clean eating space?
• [ ] Age-appropriate seating?
• [ ] How is food served?
• [ ] Where is food prepared?
• [ ] Allergy accommodations visible?

Bathrooms/Diapering

Hygiene critical:

• [ ] Clean and sanitary?
• [ ] Proper diapering procedures visible?
• [ ] Child-sized toilets (for toddlers+)?
• [ ] Handwashing accessible?
• [ ] Private but supervised?

---

Questions to Ask

Get the information you need.

Staff Questions

1. "What's the teacher-to-child ratio in my child's classroom?"
2. "What qualifications/education do teachers have?"
3. "How long have teachers been at this center?"
4. "What's the staff turnover rate?"
5. "Do the same teachers stay with children all day?"
6. "What background checks are performed?"

Program Questions

1. "What does a typical day look like?"
2. "What curriculum or approach do you use?"
3. "How much outdoor time do children get daily?"
4. "How do you handle discipline and behavior?"
5. "What's your policy on screen time?"
6. "How do you support developmental milestones?"

Practical Questions

1. "What are your hours and holiday closures?"
2. "What's the full cost including fees?"
3. "What meals/snacks are provided?"
4. "What's your sick child policy?"
5. "How do you communicate with parents?"
6. "What's the drop-off and pickup process?"

Safety Questions

1. "What are your emergency procedures?"
2. "How do you handle allergies?"
3. "What security measures are in place?"
4. "Are staff trained in first aid/CPR?"
5. "What's your supervision ratio during transitions?"

Your Child's Specific Needs

1. "How would you handle [specific need/concern]?"
2. "Can you accommodate [dietary need]?"
3. "What support do you provide for [development area]?"

---

Red Flags to Watch For

Warning signs to take seriously.

Serious Red Flags (Walk Away)

Immediate concerns:

• [ ] License not current or visible
• [ ] Teachers yelling at children
• [ ] Unsafe conditions (hazards, broken equipment)
• [ ] Children crying and ignored
• [ ] Unsupervised children
• [ ] Harsh discipline observed
• [ ] Unsanitary conditions
• [ ] Refusing to show areas or answer questions

Concerning Red Flags (Investigate Further)

Yellow flags:

• [ ] High turnover (teachers keep leaving)
• [ ] Disorganized or chaotic environment
• [ ] Children watching TV during active hours
• [ ] Teachers on phones while supervising
• [ ] Vague answers to questions
• [ ] Rushing your tour
• [ ] No outdoor play space
• [ ] Resistance to unannounced visits

Communication Red Flags

Warning signs:

• [ ] Defensive about questions
• [ ] Won't provide references
• [ ] No written policies available
• [ ] Pressure to decide immediately
• [ ] Dismissive of concerns
• [ ] Poor communication during tour

---

Green Flags to Notice

Signs of quality care.

Teacher Interactions

Excellent signs:

• [ ] Teachers know children by name
• [ ] Warm, responsive interactions
• [ ] Teachers at children's eye level
• [ ] Positive language used
• [ ] Children run to greet teachers
• [ ] Patient handling of conflicts

Environment

Quality indicators:

• [ ] Clean but not sterile (well-used)
• [ ] Organized but accessible
• [ ] Child artwork displayed
• [ ] Learning centers active
• [ ] Natural light and welcoming feel
• [ ] Age-appropriate materials abundant

Children's Behavior

Positive signs:

• [ ] Children seem happy and engaged
• [ ] Active play happening
• [ ] Children talking to each other
• [ ] Comfortable approaching adults
• [ ] Creative play occurring
• [ ] Calm transitions

Program Quality

Excellence indicators:

• [ ] Detailed daily schedules
• [ ] Clear curriculum approach
• [ ] Regular outdoor time
• [ ] Individual attention possible
• [ ] Developmental awareness
• [ ] Parent communication emphasized

Professionalism

Good signs:

• [ ] Thorough tour offered
• [ ] All questions answered openly
• [ ] Written policies provided
• [ ] References available
• [ ] Accreditation or quality rating
• [ ] Low teacher turnover

---

After the Tour

Evaluating what you saw.

Immediately After

While fresh in mind:

• Complete your checklist
• Write notes on impressions
• Note any concerns or highlights
• Record gut feeling
• List follow-up questions

Comparison Process

If touring multiple: | Factor | Daycare A | Daycare B | Daycare C | |--------|-----------|-----------|-----------| | Teacher quality | | | | | Environment | | | | | Cost | | | | | Location | | | | | Gut feeling | | | | | Overall score | | | |

Follow-Up Steps

Before deciding:

• [ ] Check references
• [ ] Verify licensing online
• [ ] Read reviews again
• [ ] Visit again if uncertain
• [ ] Try unannounced visit
• [ ] Discuss with partner

Trust Your Gut

Your instinct matters:

• Did you feel comfortable?
• Could you see your child there?
• Did teachers seem trustworthy?
• Was anything "off"?
• What was your overall feeling?

---

Complete Tour Checklist

Print This Section

SAFETY

• [ ] Current license displayed
• [ ] Secure entry/exit
• [ ] Childproofed environment
• [ ] Emergency procedures posted
• [ ] Fire extinguishers visible
• [ ] Safe outdoor area

CLEANLINESS

• [ ] Clean floors and surfaces
• [ ] Sanitary bathrooms
• [ ] Clean diapering area
• [ ] Toys in good condition
• [ ] No concerning odors

STAFF

• [ ] Appropriate ratios
• [ ] Warm interactions
• [ ] Engaged with children
• [ ] Professional demeanor
• [ ] Qualified educators

ENVIRONMENT

• [ ] Age-appropriate materials
• [ ] Learning centers organized
• [ ] Child artwork displayed
• [ ] Books accessible
• [ ] Outdoor space adequate

CHILDREN

• [ ] Seem happy and engaged
• [ ] Comfortable with teachers
• [ ] Playing and interacting
• [ ] Not watching screens

PROGRAM

• [ ] Clear daily schedule
• [ ] Outdoor time included
• [ ] Curriculum explained
• [ ] Communication methods clear

OVERALL

• [ ] Gut feeling positive
• [ ] Questions answered satisfactorily
• [ ] Would feel good dropping child here

---

Resources

• Find Quality Daycare Near You
• Questions to Ask Daycare Providers
• Daycare Red Flags Guide
• Daycare Contract Checklist

---

Last updated: December 2025