One red flag might be explainable. Multiple red flags are a pattern. Don't ignore your gut feeling—there are other daycares that will be a better fit.
Safety Concerns
No visible license or refuses to show it
Licensed daycares are required to display their license. If they won't show inspection results, walk away.
Doors left unlocked or no check-in procedure
Anyone should not be able to walk in off the street. Secure entry is a basic safety requirement.
Hazards visible (cleaning supplies accessible, broken equipment)
If safety issues are visible during a tour when they're trying to impress you, imagine what you don't see.
Children sleeping unsupervised or improperly
Infants should be on their backs in separate cribs. Toddlers need supervision during rest time.
Staff Behavior
Staff on phones instead of engaging with children
Caregivers should be actively interacting, not distracted. Brief phone use might be for work communication, but ongoing scrolling is a problem.
Yelling, harsh tones, or rough handling
You should hear calm, positive voices. If staff are frustrated or sharp during a tour, it's likely worse normally.
High turnover or evasive about staff tenure
If teachers come and go frequently, children can't form secure attachments and something is wrong with management.
Staff don't know children's names
Caregivers should greet children by name and know their individual needs. Generic treatment suggests low-quality care.
Environment Issues
Strong odor of urine, feces, or heavy air freshener
A clean daycare should smell clean or neutral. Heavy fragrance may be masking problems.
Children look dirty, unhappy, or have unchanged diapers
Kids get messy during play, but chronically unkempt children or persistent crying without comfort is concerning.
Television on during the day (especially for toddlers/infants)
Quality daycares provide interactive learning, not screen time. TV is a sign of disengaged care.
Overcrowded rooms with too many children per adult
If ratios seem high during your tour, they're likely worse when you're not watching.
Communication Red Flags
Reluctant to let you visit unannounced
Quality daycares welcome parent involvement. "Come back when we're ready" suggests something to hide.
Pressuring you to sign up immediately
High-pressure sales tactics are a sign of desperation. Good daycares have waitlists, not pushy sales.
Defensive when you ask questions
Professional providers welcome parent questions. Defensiveness suggests they have something to hide or don't value your input.
No references available or all references are "unavailable"
Established daycares should have happy families willing to share experiences.
After Enrollment Warning Signs
Child suddenly doesn't want to go
Some adjustment is normal, but persistent, intense fear (especially after they were settled) warrants investigation.
Unexplained injuries or inconsistent explanations
Kids get bumps and bruises, but staff should always be able to explain what happened.
Child comes home hungry regularly
If meals are provided, your child should be fed adequately throughout the day.
Daily reports are vague or clearly copied
If your child's daily report sounds generic or identical to other children's, caregivers may not be paying individual attention.
What to Do If You See Red Flags
- 1.Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, it probably is
- 2.Ask questions directly and see how they respond
- 3.Talk to current families if possible
- 4.Check state licensing records for violations
- 5.If enrolled, document concerns and raise them with management
- 6.Report safety violations to your state licensing agency
Red Flags vs Yellow Flags
Not every concern is a deal-breaker. Understanding the difference helps you make balanced decisions:
Red Flags: Walk Away
- • Any safety hazard that could harm a child
- • Unlicensed when license is required
- • Staff yelling or rough handling
- • Refusal to show license or inspection reports
- • Excessive screen time for young children
- • Children unsupervised or crying without comfort
- • Your gut screaming "no"
Yellow Flags: Investigate More
- • A few minor violations in inspection history
- • Some staff seem newer than others
- • Facility is older but well-maintained
- • Ratios are legal but not ideal
- • One mixed online review among many positive
- • A policy you disagree with but isn't harmful
- • Your gut saying "maybe"
Context Matters: When Red Flags Are Explainable
Sometimes what looks like a red flag has a reasonable explanation. Ask before concluding:
Staff on phones during your tour
Could be: Using an app to log activities, communicate with parents, or check schedules. Many daycares use phone-based systems for daily reports.
Red flag if: They're clearly scrolling social media, texting personally, or disengaged from children.
A child crying when you visit
Could be: Completely normal—children cry for many reasons. What matters is how staff respond.
Red flag if: No one comforts the child, staff seem annoyed, or crying children are ignored.
Recent staff changes
Could be: Someone retired, moved, or the daycare is growing. Some turnover is normal.
Red flag if: High turnover is constant, no one has been there more than a year, or they can't explain why people leave.
A violation on the inspection report
Could be: Minor documentation issue, quickly corrected. Most daycares have occasional violations.
Red flag if: Serious safety violations, the same violation repeatedly, or violations not corrected.
Hidden Red Flags: What to Look For Online
Before visiting, do your research. These digital clues can reveal problems:
State Licensing Database
Every state has a searchable database. Look for inspection reports, violation history, and current license status. Multiple serious violations or recent suspensions are major red flags.
Online Reviews Pattern
One bad review among many good ones is normal. Watch for patterns: multiple complaints about the same issue, recent negative trend, or responses from ownership that are defensive rather than professional.
Local Parent Groups
Facebook groups and Nextdoor often have candid discussions about local daycares. Search the daycare name and see what comes up. Consistent complaints from multiple parents are telling.
News Stories
Search the daycare name in local news. Serious incidents (injuries, abuse, emergency closures) often get covered. This is rare but important to check.
Signs Your Enrolled Child May Be Having Problems
After enrollment, stay vigilant. These signs may indicate issues at daycare:
Behavioral Changes
- • Sudden fear of going to daycare (after being fine)
- • New aggression, biting, or hitting at home
- • Regression in toilet training or speech
- • New nightmares or sleep issues
- • Unusual clinginess or anxiety
- • Saying they're "scared" or "hurt" at school
Physical Signs
- • Unexplained injuries or marks
- • Coming home hungry regularly
- • Chronic diaper rash (not being changed enough)
- • Consistent exhaustion or illness
- • Dirty clothes beyond normal play mess
- • Sunburn (lack of supervision outside)
Important: These signs don't automatically mean something is wrong at daycare—children have phases, get sick, and go through developmental changes. But if you see multiple signs, or your gut says something is wrong, investigate. Do an unannounced visit, talk to teachers, and watch your child's reaction at drop-off.
How to Report Concerns
If you witness or suspect serious problems, here's how to report:
Step 1: Document Everything
Write down what you observed, with dates, times, and details. Take photos if safe and relevant. Save any written communication.
Step 2: Address with Management First (If Safe)
For less serious concerns, talk to the director. Give them a chance to address the issue. Document their response.
Step 3: Report to Licensing Agency
For safety violations or if management doesn't respond, file a complaint with your state's childcare licensing agency. You can usually do this online or by phone. Complaints can be anonymous.
Step 4: For Suspected Abuse
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, report immediately to your state's child protective services and/or local police. Don't wait—these reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many red flags are too many?
One serious red flag (safety hazard, staff abuse, unlicensed) is enough to walk away. For yellow flags, it's about patterns. Two or three minor concerns that have reasonable explanations may be okay. Multiple concerns without good explanations, or the same concern raised by different sources, should give you pause.
I saw something concerning but I'm not sure it's a big deal. What should I do?
Ask about it directly. How the daycare responds is as important as the issue itself. A quality program will take your concern seriously, explain what you saw, and address it if needed. Defensiveness or dismissiveness is itself a red flag. If you're still unsure, do an unannounced visit and see if the issue repeats.
My child suddenly doesn't want to go to daycare. Is something wrong?
Not necessarily—children go through phases, and separation anxiety can resurface. But sudden, intense fear (especially after a period of being fine) warrants investigation. Ask your child open-ended questions. Talk to teachers. Do an unannounced visit. Trust your gut—you know your child best.
How do I find my state's licensing inspection reports?
Search "[your state] childcare licensing inspection" to find the database. Most states have online, searchable records. You can typically look up any licensed provider by name and see their inspection history, violations, and current license status. If you can't find it online, call your state's licensing agency.
Should I tell other parents if I see red flags?
For serious safety concerns, yes—other parents have a right to know. Be factual about what you observed, not speculative. For less serious issues, you might mention it so they can watch for the same thing. If you're unsure, filing a report with the licensing agency is the formal way to ensure the issue is investigated.
What if the daycare has good reviews but I had a bad feeling?
Trust your gut. Reviews are helpful but incomplete. The daycare might be great for most families but not right for your child or family. Your parental instinct has evolved to protect your child—don't dismiss it because of social proof. There are other daycares.
My child comes home with injuries sometimes. When should I be concerned?
Children get bumps, bruises, and scrapes during normal play—this is expected. Concern if: injuries are frequent and unexplained, staff can't tell you what happened, injuries are in unusual places, or your child says they were hurt by someone. Always ask for an incident report for any injury, and trust your gut if something seems off.
Can I do an unannounced visit?
Yes—and you should, especially if you have concerns. Licensed daycares are typically required to allow parent access during operating hours. If a daycare resists unannounced visits or makes you feel unwelcome, that's itself a red flag. A quality program has nothing to hide.
I want to switch daycares but I'm nervous about disrupting my child. What should I do?
If there are genuine problems at your current daycare, the short-term disruption of switching is worth the long-term benefit of better care. Children are resilient and adjust. Prepare them for the change, do a positive goodbye from the old place, and give the new place time. Trust that you're making the right decision for your child's wellbeing.
What if I report a concern and nothing happens?
Licensing agencies investigate all complaints, but the timeline and outcome vary by severity. Follow up if you don't hear back within a few weeks. For serious safety concerns, you can also contact local media or advocacy organizations. In the meantime, protect your own child—move them if needed, regardless of what happens with your complaint.
The Bottom Line
Your instincts exist to protect your child. When something feels wrong, pay attention. One red flag might have an explanation—multiple red flags are a pattern that warrants action.
The most important things to look for: how staff interact with children, safety practices, and whether the daycare is transparent and welcoming of your questions. A quality program has nothing to hide.
If you see something concerning, say something. Ask questions, do unannounced visits, check inspection records, and report genuine safety issues. Other children may benefit from your vigilance.
There are many good daycares out there. Don't settle for one that gives you pause. Your child deserves care that you feel genuinely confident about.