Daycare Evaluation Checklist
Rate each daycare you visit to compare them objectively. Print this or use it on your phone during tours.
How to use: Rate each item 1-5 (1=Poor, 5=Excellent) or N/A. Add up scores to compare daycares. Your gut feeling section at the bottom is just as important as the numbers.
Daycare Name: _________________________
Date Visited: _____________ Tour Given By: _____________
Safety & Security
Staff & Ratios
Environment & Program
Communication & Philosophy
Logistics & Cost
Overall Impression
Can I see my child thriving here?
Gut feeling about this place:
TOTAL SCORE: ______ / possible ______
Would we recommend to a friend? YES / NO / MAYBE
Using This Checklist
- • Fill out one for each daycare you visit
- • Complete it right after the tour while details are fresh
- • Compare scores, but trust your gut feeling most
- • A lower score on paper but a great feeling matters more than the reverse
Understanding Each Evaluation Category
The checklist above covers six key areas that matter most for your child's daily experience. Here's what to look for in each category and why it matters.
Safety & Security: Non-Negotiable Standards
Safety forms the foundation of quality childcare. No educational program matters if your child isn't physically secure. During your tour, pay close attention to:
License Verification
A current license should be prominently displayed. Don't just glance at it—check the date and confirm it matches the facility you're visiting. You can also verify licenses online through your state's licensing agency before or after your visit.
Entry and Exit Security
Look for locked exterior doors, keypad or fob entry, and a sign-in/sign-out process. Ask how they handle authorized pickup persons and what happens if someone unauthorized tries to pick up a child. The best centers require photo ID and have a clear protocol.
Facility Condition
Check for cleanliness, working smoke detectors, outlet covers, secured furniture, and safe storage for cleaning supplies and medications. The playground should have soft surfaces under equipment, secure fencing, and age-appropriate structures.
Staff & Ratios: The Heart of Quality Care
Research consistently shows that staff quality and ratios are the strongest predictors of positive child outcomes. Lower ratios mean more individual attention for your child. Here's what to evaluate:
Count the Children and Adults
During your tour, count the children and staff in each room. For infants, look for 1:3 or 1:4 ratios. Toddlers should have 1:4 to 1:6. Preschoolers can handle 1:8 to 1:10. If ratios seem off, ask about it—there may be staff on break.
Observe Caregiver Interactions
Watch how staff interact with children. Are they at children's eye level? Do they respond warmly to bids for attention? Are they engaged or distracted by phones? The best caregivers are actively present and use positive language even when redirecting behavior.
Ask About Turnover
Staff stability matters for children's attachment. Ask how long the lead teachers have been there. High turnover (teachers lasting less than a year) can indicate problems with management, pay, or work environment—and disrupts children's relationships.
Environment & Program: Where Learning Happens
The physical environment and daily program shape your child's experience. Look for spaces that invite exploration and a schedule that balances structure with play.
Room Organization
Well-designed classrooms have distinct areas for different activities: reading corner, art space, block area, dramatic play. Materials should be at child height and accessible. Cluttered, chaotic spaces often indicate disorganized programming.
Daily Schedule
Ask to see the daily schedule. Look for balance: structured activities, free play, outdoor time, meals, and rest. The best programs avoid long periods of screen time and include age-appropriate learning activities integrated throughout the day.
Outdoor Play
Children need outdoor time every day (weather permitting). Ask about their outdoor policy and inspect the playground. Natural elements, varied equipment, and open space for running are all positive signs. Indoor-only programs limit physical development.
Communication & Philosophy: Partnership With Parents
Your relationship with the daycare matters almost as much as your child's. Strong communication helps you stay connected to your child's day and addresses concerns before they become problems.
Daily Communication
Ask how they communicate daily. Apps like Brightwheel or HiMama provide real-time photos, nap/feeding logs, and activity updates. Some centers use daily written reports. The method matters less than consistency—you should know how your child's day went.
Parent Involvement
Good programs welcome parent participation: volunteering, attending events, observing classrooms. Ask about their policy on drop-in visits. Centers that discourage unannounced visits may have something to hide.
Discipline Approach
Ask specifically how they handle challenging behavior. Look for positive discipline approaches: redirection, natural consequences, problem-solving. Avoid centers that use timeout excessively, shame children, or have vague discipline policies.
Logistics & Cost: Practical Considerations
Even a perfect daycare doesn't work if the logistics don't fit your life. Consider these practical factors carefully before falling in love with a program.
Location and Commute
Test the commute during rush hour before committing. A 15-minute drive on weekends might be 45 minutes on Monday morning. Consider backup plans if traffic is bad. Proximity to work or home affects your daily stress level significantly.
Hours and Flexibility
Match hours to your work schedule with buffer time. If you work until 5:00 and daycare closes at 5:30, one traffic jam means late fees. Ask about late pickup policies and holiday closures. Some centers close for weeks that don't align with your vacation.
Total Cost Understanding
Get the full picture: registration fees, monthly tuition, supply fees, activity fees, late fees. Ask about rate increases—when and how much. Some centers raise rates annually by 5-7%. Understand what's included and what costs extra.
Scoring Tips: Making Your Comparison Meaningful
Weight Categories Differently
Not all categories matter equally to every family. Safety should be non-negotiable—any score below 4 in safety is disqualifying. But you might prioritize curriculum over logistics or vice versa. Consider doubling scores for your most important categories.
Use N/A Appropriately
Some items won't apply to every situation. A family daycare won't have institutional security features. A center for older children won't have cribs. Mark these N/A rather than scoring low for something irrelevant.
Trust the Gut Check
The "Can I see my child thriving here?" question matters more than the numerical total. Parents often sense things that don't show up on checklists. If your gut says no despite good scores, listen to it. If your gut says yes despite mediocre scores, explore why.
Red Flags That Should Lower Scores
During your tour, watch for these warning signs that should automatically lower scores in the relevant categories:
Safety Red Flags
- • Doors left unlocked or propped open
- • Cleaning supplies accessible to children
- • Broken or unsafe playground equipment
- • No visible emergency procedures
- • Expired or missing license
Staff Red Flags
- • Caregivers ignoring crying children
- • Staff on phones during care time
- • Harsh or negative language with children
- • Reluctance to discuss turnover
- • Visible frustration with children's behavior
Environment Red Flags
- • Strong odors (urine, chemicals, mildew)
- • Children watching TV during your visit
- • No visible outdoor play area
- • Chaotic, cluttered classrooms
- • Lack of age-appropriate materials
Communication Red Flags
- • Reluctance to answer questions
- • Discouraging unannounced visits
- • Vague about discipline policies
- • Rushed or dismissive during tour
- • Unable to describe curriculum
After Your Tours: Making the Decision
Once you've toured multiple daycares and completed your checklists, it's time to make a decision. Here's how to use your scores effectively:
Compare Total Scores
Lay out all your completed checklists side by side. Calculate total scores for each category and overall. Look for patterns: Is one center consistently strong across all areas? Does one excel in your priority areas despite lower overall scores?
Identify Deal-Breakers
Review your safety and staff sections first. Any center scoring below 3 in multiple safety items should be eliminated regardless of other strengths. High scores elsewhere can't compensate for fundamental safety or staffing concerns.
Consider Practical Fit
Sometimes the "best" center isn't the right choice. A slightly lower-scoring center with a 5-minute commute may serve your family better than a top-tier center 30 minutes away. Sustainable childcare arrangements last longer.
Schedule Second Visits
If you're torn between two options, visit again at a different time of day. Morning drop-off and afternoon pickup show different aspects of the center's operation. Ask to observe a classroom for 30 minutes without a formal tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many daycares should I tour before deciding?
Tour at least 3-5 daycares to get a good comparison. This gives you a sense of the range of options in your area and helps calibrate your expectations. However, if you find an exceptional center early, don't feel obligated to continue touring just to hit a number—especially if they have limited availability.
Should I bring my child on the tour?
Opinions vary. Bringing your child lets you observe how staff interact with them and how your child responds to the environment. However, it can be distracting, especially with infants or toddlers. Consider doing a first tour alone to assess and ask questions, then bring your child for a second visit to the top contenders.
What if a center won't let me observe during my tour?
Quality centers welcome observation. If a center only shows you empty rooms or discourages you from watching classroom activities, this is a red flag. They may claim children's privacy concerns, but you should be able to observe from doorways or windows at minimum. Consider it a warning sign.
How long should a daycare tour take?
A thorough tour takes 45-60 minutes. If a center rushes you through in 15 minutes, they may be hiding something or don't value parent relationships. Ask questions, observe classrooms, and request time to see the outdoor area. If they're too busy for a proper tour, consider how responsive they'll be when you have concerns.
Should I visit announced or unannounced?
Schedule your initial tour so you can ask questions and get a full walkthrough. After enrollment, you have the right to drop in unannounced during operating hours. Some parents do an unannounced "drive-by" of top contenders before deciding—peeking at the playground during outdoor time—though this doesn't replace a formal tour.
What questions should I ask that aren't on this checklist?
Ask about sick policies (when do they send children home?), potty training approach, nap schedules and sleep policies, food handling if your child has allergies, and how they handle developmental concerns. Ask what a typical day looks like and how they individualize care. See our comprehensive question list.
How important are accreditations and ratings?
NAEYC accreditation indicates a center meets national quality standards—it's a positive sign. State quality rating systems (like Texas Rising Star or California's QRIS) also help. However, accreditation isn't mandatory, and many excellent family daycares aren't accredited. Use it as one data point, not the only factor.
What if my top choice has a long waitlist?
Get on the waitlist immediately while continuing to evaluate other options. Ask about typical wait times and what moves you up the list (sibling priority, deposit amount). Have a backup plan ready. Sometimes second-choice centers become first-choice once you're enrolled and experience their care firsthand.
How do I evaluate a center I can't visit in person?
If you're relocating or can't visit in person, request a virtual tour. Ask for references from current parents. Review their state licensing inspection reports online. Check Google and Facebook reviews, but take them with a grain of salt. Try to have a trusted local friend or family member visit on your behalf.
Can I change my mind after enrolling?
Yes, but understand the financial implications. Most contracts require 2-4 weeks notice, and you may lose your deposit. If you realize the center isn't right within the first few weeks, it's better to switch early than suffer through months of poor fit. Your child's wellbeing and your peace of mind are worth some financial inconvenience.
The Bottom Line
This checklist is a tool to organize your observations and compare options systematically. But remember: numbers don't tell the whole story. The best daycare for your family is one where:
- •Your child will be safe and cared for by warm, engaged adults
- •The philosophy and approach align with your parenting values
- •The logistics work sustainably for your family's daily life
- •You feel confident leaving your child each morning
- •Communication flows easily between home and school
Use this checklist to gather data, but trust yourself to interpret that data in the context of your unique family. The right daycare is out there—and with careful evaluation, you'll find it.