In This Guide
Choosing the right daycare is one of the most significant decisions you'll make as a parent. Your child will spend a substantial portion of their early years in this environment, making it crucial to find a place where they'll be safe, happy, and stimulated to learn and grow.
This guide walks you through everything you need to consider when evaluating daycare options, from the basics of licensing to the subtle signs of quality care. Take your time with this decision—the right daycare is worth the search.
1. Verify Licensing & Accreditation
Before you even tour a facility, verify that it's properly licensed by your state. Licensing ensures the daycare meets minimum standards for safety, staffing, and facility requirements.
What to Verify
- Current state license is displayed and up to date
- No unresolved violations or complaints on file
- Staff-to-child ratios meet or exceed state requirements
- Recent inspection reports are available for review
Beyond Basic Licensing: Accreditation
Accreditation goes beyond state licensing requirements. Organizations like NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) set higher standards and evaluate programs on curriculum, teacher qualifications, and family engagement.
While accreditation isn't required, it indicates a program that's committed to quality and continuous improvement.
2. Evaluate Safety & Security
Safety should be non-negotiable. During your tour, walk through the facility with a critical eye toward potential hazards and security measures.
Physical Safety
- • Age-appropriate equipment and furniture
- • Outlets covered, cords secured
- • Cleaning supplies and medications locked away
- • Outdoor play areas fenced and secure
- • Clean, well-maintained spaces
Security Measures
- • Secure entry systems (codes, buzzers)
- • Sign-in/sign-out procedures
- • Staff verify authorized pickup persons
- • Emergency procedures posted
- • First aid supplies readily available
Ask about their safety policies: How do they handle emergencies? What training do staff have in CPR and first aid? How often are fire drills conducted?
3. Assess Staff Quality
The caregivers who interact with your child daily make an enormous difference in their experience. Look beyond credentials to observe how staff actually engage with children.
Qualifications to Look For
- Early childhood education degrees or certifications
- Ongoing professional development
- Background checks completed
- CPR and first aid certification
What to Observe
- Do caregivers get down to the children's level?
- Are interactions warm and engaged?
- How do they handle challenging moments?
- Do children seem comfortable approaching staff?
Watch for Turnover
High staff turnover can be disruptive for children and may indicate management problems. Ask how long current teachers have been there.
4. Review the Curriculum
Even for infants and toddlers, a thoughtful approach to learning matters. Quality programs balance structured activities with free play, supporting all areas of development.
Signs of a Good Curriculum
- Play-based learning appropriate for each age group
- Daily outdoor time (weather permitting)
- Exposure to books, music, and art
- Social-emotional skill development
- Balance of structured and unstructured time
Ask to see a sample daily schedule and weekly lesson plans. Quality programs can articulate their educational philosophy and how activities support children's development.
5. Observe the Environment
The physical environment speaks volumes about a program's quality. Visit during operating hours to see the facility in action.
Look For
- Clean, organized spaces that still look "lived in"
- Children's artwork displayed (not just templates)
- Materials accessible to children at their level
- Quiet spaces for rest and reading
- Natural light and ventilation
Most importantly: Do the children seem happy and engaged? A positive atmosphere is something you'll sense when you walk in.
6. Understand Costs & Policies
Get a complete picture of what you'll pay before committing. Daycare costs can vary dramatically, and the lowest price isn't always the best value.
Ask About
- Monthly tuition and what's included (meals, diapers, etc.)
- Registration and supply fees
- Late pickup penalties
- Vacation and sick day policies
- Sibling discounts
- Payment schedules and accepted methods
Estimate Your Costs
Use our calculator to estimate daycare costs in your area and compare to your budget.
Daycare Cost Calculator7. Questions to Ask
Bring a list of questions to your tour. Good programs welcome your questions and answer them openly.
Essential Questions
- What are your staff qualifications and training requirements?
- What is your staff turnover rate?
- What is your child-to-staff ratio for each age group?
- How do you handle discipline?
- What is your sick child policy?
- How do you communicate with parents during the day?
- What happens if my child has a food allergy or special need?
- Can I drop in unannounced to visit?
- What is your approach to potty training?
- How do you handle naptime for non-nappers?
8. Red Flags to Watch For
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Here are warning signs that should give you pause:
- Staff seem stressed, disengaged, or speak harshly to children
- Facility is dirty or in disrepair
- They discourage unannounced visits
- Won't share inspection reports or license information
- Children are left unsupervised or watching screens for long periods
- Vague answers to your questions or defensiveness
- Very high staff turnover
Making Your Decision
After visiting multiple options, trust your gut. You know your child best, and you'll sense whether a place feels right.
The perfect daycare doesn't exist—every option involves trade-offs. Focus on finding a place where your child will be safe, cared for by qualified and caring staff, and have opportunities to learn and grow.
Once you've made your choice, remember that it's not permanent. If your child isn't thriving or circumstances change, it's okay to reassess and make a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start looking for daycare?
Start at least 6-12 months before you need care, especially in areas with high demand or for infant care. Many quality daycares have waitlists of 6 months or more. Some parents get on waitlists during pregnancy. Even if you start late, don't panic—spots do open up unexpectedly.
How many daycares should I tour before deciding?
Aim for 3-5 tours. This gives you enough comparison points without overwhelming yourself. After 5 tours, details start blurring together. Take notes immediately after each visit. If you find "the one" after 2-3 tours, trust that feeling—you don't need to tour more just for comparison's sake.
What's more important: location or quality?
Quality, within reason. A slightly longer commute to a significantly better daycare is usually worth it. However, an extremely long commute creates stress and logistics issues that affect your family's daily life. Find the best quality within a reasonable distance. "Reasonable" depends on your situation—15 minutes for some, 30 for others.
Should I choose a daycare near home or near work?
Near home is often better: it's on your commute regardless of which direction, your child will be near neighborhood friends, and if you change jobs, daycare stays the same. Near work has advantages too: shorter separation during the day, and you can visit at lunch. Consider backup scenarios—who else might do pickup?
Is an expensive daycare necessarily better?
Not necessarily. Price often reflects real estate costs and local wages, not just quality. A modestly-priced home daycare with a devoted provider can be better than an expensive center with high turnover. Focus on the factors that matter: staff warmth and engagement, safety, ratios, and your gut feeling. Don't assume price equals quality.
How do I know if my child is the right age for daycare?
Children can thrive in daycare at any age from infancy onward—there's no "right" age to start. What matters is finding quality care appropriate for their age. Infants need smaller groups and more individual attention. Toddlers benefit from both socialization and one-on-one care. Many children start daycare at 12 weeks when parental leave ends; others start at 2 or 3. Both work.
What if two daycares seem equally good?
Consider practical factors: commute time, cost, hours, waitlist timing. If those are equal, go with your gut. Some parents find it helpful to imagine calling each daycare with a concern—which feels more approachable? There's rarely a wrong choice between two genuinely good options.
Should I visit with or without my child first?
For initial tours, going alone lets you focus on questions and observation. For a second visit or final decision, bring your child to see how they respond to the environment and how staff interact with them. Some daycares require a child visit before enrollment. For infants, bringing them in a carrier is typically fine.
What if I can't afford the daycares I want?
Explore all options: government subsidies (income limits are higher than many assume), employer benefits, Dependent Care FSA, sliding scale fees at nonprofit programs, and home daycares (typically 15-25% cheaper). Quality care exists at many price points. Don't assume the best care is the most expensive.
How do I handle being on multiple waitlists?
Being on multiple waitlists is normal and expected. When a spot opens, you'll need to decide quickly. Have your priorities clear in advance so you can make a fast decision. If you accept a spot, promptly notify other waitlists so other families can move up. Some require deposits that may be refundable or non-refundable—understand the terms.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a daycare is a significant decision, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Focus on the fundamentals: Is the facility licensed and safe? Are the caregivers warm and engaged? Will your child have opportunities to learn and grow?
Tour multiple options, ask questions, trust your observations, and listen to your gut. The right daycare is one where you feel confident about your child's safety and care—not necessarily the fanciest, most expensive, or closest option.
Remember: this decision isn't permanent. Children are resilient, and you can always make changes if needed. Your goal is to find care that works for your family right now, while staying attentive and being willing to adjust as circumstances change.
The fact that you're doing this research shows you care deeply about your child's wellbeing. That care, more than any specific daycare choice, is what matters most.