What Questions to Ask When Touring a Childcare Center
- ryannwilson
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Choosing to send your child to daycare is a big step, and for many parents, it comes with a mix of emotions. Excitement. Nerves. A little uncertainty. And usually, one very important question: “Where should we send them?”
Before you ever step foot into a childcare center, you’ll likely have already done some homework. Most places share important information on their website about licensing and accreditations, schedules, sick policies, pricing, and other basic enrollment details. That early research is a great first step and often helps narrow down your options.
However, the actual daycare tour is a little different. This is your chance to peek into classrooms and see where your child will spend their day, as well as meet the people who could play a meaningful role in your child’s life. It’s also the perfect opportunity to ask questions that may not have clear answers online and have conversations that help you feel confident, informed, and at ease
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Questions to Ask During Your Daycare Tour
Questions About Safety and Health
Even if you’ve already reviewed safety policies online, it’s important to hear how they’re put into practice every day. During your tour, you might ask:
How are emergencies handled?
How often do you sanitize toys and other classroom items?
What safety measures are in place for drop-off and pick-up?
If you’re touring a Jelly Bean Junction Learning Center, you’ll quickly realize that the health and safety of the children in our care is something we never take lightly. From secure building access and emergency preparedness plans to consistent cleaning routines and smart sick policies, we follow best practices to create a safe, healthy environment for every child.
Questions About the Staff
Staff turnover and staff-to-child ratios are certainly important to ask about, but touring a daycare gives you the opportunity to really get to know the people who may soon play such an important role in your child’s life. Make the most of your tour by asking educators questions such as...
Why did they decide to pursue a career in childcare?
How long have they been there?
How do you help children adjust during their first few weeks?
We also recommend watching how staff actually interact with the children. Are they warm and reassuring? Do they kneel to speak to kids at eye level? Do they celebrate small wins? Often, these moments speak more about how your child will be cared for than any written policy.
At our learning centers, you can trust that our teachers are experienced educational professionals with the proper training and distinctions to provide the right care and education for your child. Many of our team members have been with us for 5, 10, and even 15+ years, which is something we believe reflects the supportive culture we’ve built. Most importantly, we hire individuals with genuine passion and heart for working with children.
Questions About Curriculum
Many of the questions you have likely revolve around what your child’s day will look like. To understand how and what your child will learn while at daycare, consider asking questions like:
What does a typical daily schedule look like?
How do you support age-appropriate learning and development?
How do you balance structured activities with free play?
You’ll want to understand how the childcare program supports not only social growth, but things like early literacy, motor skills, emotional regulation, and independence. A quality daycare should be able to clearly explain how their curriculum supports each stage of development, and how it evolves as children grow.
Jelly Bean Junction Learning Centers offers programs that coincide with the learning and development initiative set by Ohio’s Step Up to Quality Program. Every day, the kids in our classrooms experience structured, engaging learning experiences while still allowing plenty of room for creativity, exploration, and fun.
Learn more about our early childhood curriculum and play-based learning approach.
Questions About Communication
The best childcare centers prioritize open, proactive communication. During your tour, ask questions about:
How will I receive updates about my child’s day?
What’s the best way to reach my child’s teacher if I have questions?
How are concerns addressed and communicated?
You should leave your tour feeling confident that you won’t just stay informed about schedules and events, but also about your child’s growth and milestones. We believe our Jelly Bean families are an essential part of our learning community, and prioritize consistent, honest communication to strengthen relationships with parents. A part of this includes daily updates and photos to families through our Tadpole app. Through this platform, we can share details about a child’s day with their family, what and when they children are eating, when and how long they nap, what they learn and more.
“My son attends this center full time. We have been attending since he was 6 weeks old. The care that we receive is amazing. I love the pictures that I get during the day through their Tadpole system. The staff is great. I would recommend this location to anyone looking for childcare." - Melissa B., Jelly Bean Junction Parent
Choosing a Childcare Center with Confidence
While policies are important and lists of questions are helpful, sometimes the most effective way to evaluate a daycare is to simply listen to your gut. Do you feel like it's a welcoming, organized environment? Did the children seem happy and well cared for? If so, keep that in mind when choosing where to send your child.
Here, we’re honored every time a family places their trust in us and are committed to creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn each day.
If you’re beginning your daycare search, we’d love to welcome you for a tour and answer any questions you may have.
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