Find the right daycare or preschool for your child by systematically researching, visiting, and evaluating programs. Covers licensing, safety, curriculum, staff qualifications, costs, and the transition plan.
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Research and Shortlist
Define your priorities: location, hours, philosophy, and budget
Write down your non-negotiables before you start searching. Proximity to your home or workplace cuts commute stress. Hours that cover your full workday plus 30-minute buffer on each side prevent late-pickup fees and panic.
Set a monthly budget including fees, meals, and supplies
Decide on acceptable commute distance (10-15 minutes is ideal)
List your preferred hours and any flexibility needs
Search for licensed programs within your area
Start with your state's childcare licensing website — it lists all licensed facilities with inspection reports and complaint histories. Ask other parents in your neighborhood for recommendations. Join local parenting groups online for unfiltered reviews.
Check licensing status and inspection reports for each option
Every licensed facility has public inspection reports. Look for patterns: recurring violations in the same area (staffing ratios, sanitation) are red flags. A single minor citation followed by correction is normal. No violations at all might mean infrequent inspections, not perfection.
Narrow your list to 3-5 programs to visit in person
In-Person Visits
Schedule a visit during regular program hours
Drop in during a normal day, not during a scheduled tour or open house. You want to see the facility operating under real conditions — noise levels, staff interactions, how transitions between activities are handled. If a facility only allows scheduled tours, that is worth noting.
Observe the staff-to-child ratios in each classroom
Minimum ratios vary by state and age group. For infants (0-12 months), look for 1:3 or 1:4. For toddlers (1-3 years), 1:4 to 1:6. For preschoolers (3-5 years), 1:8 to 1:10. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. Count the children and staff yourself — posted ratios and actual ratios sometimes differ.
Evaluate the physical environment
Check for cleanliness, natural light, and ventilation
Look for age-appropriate toys, books, and learning materials
Inspect the outdoor play area for safety and shade
Verify secure entry with a sign-in/sign-out system
Watch how staff interact with children
Staff should be at the children's eye level, speaking in warm but clear voices. Look for active engagement — reading, asking questions, narrating activities — not just monitoring. Notice how they handle crying, conflicts, and challenging behavior. Harsh tones or dismissive responses are dealbreakers.
Ask about daily schedules and curriculum
Request a sample daily schedule
Ask about the balance of structured activities, free play, and outdoor time
Ask how they track and communicate developmental milestones
Questions to Ask the Director
Ask about staff qualifications and turnover
High turnover disrupts children's attachment and learning. Ask directly: what is the average tenure of your lead teachers? Centers with lead teachers who hold early childhood education degrees and have been there 2+ years typically deliver better outcomes.
What degrees or certifications do lead teachers hold?
What is the staff turnover rate in the past year?
Ask about health and safety policies
What is the sick-child policy? At what symptoms must a child stay home?
How are medications administered?
What is the emergency and evacuation plan?
Ask about meals and allergy management
If the program provides meals, ask to see a sample menu. Ask specifically how food allergies are handled: separate preparation areas, staff training on allergic reactions, and where auto-injectors are stored. If you provide meals, ask about storage and heating procedures.
Ask about discipline and behavior management approach
Look for programs that use positive guidance techniques: redirection, natural consequences, and verbal coaching. Ask how they handle biting, hitting, and tantrums specifically. Any program that uses time-outs for children under 3 or any form of physical punishment is not following best practices.
Ask about parent communication and involvement
How do you communicate daily (app, written notes, verbal)?
How often are parent-teacher conferences held?
Can parents drop in unannounced during the day?
Costs and Logistics
Get the full cost breakdown in writing
Ask for a written fee schedule that includes: monthly tuition, registration fee, supply fee, late pickup charges, and holiday closures. Some centers charge full tuition during holidays and closures when you still need to arrange backup care — factor this into total annual cost.
Monthly tuition and any annual registration fee
Additional costs: meals, diapers, activities, field trips
Late pickup fee and what time it starts
Ask about waitlists and enrollment timelines
High-quality programs often have waitlists of 6-12 months, especially for infant spots. Apply early to your top 3 choices. Some programs require a deposit to hold a spot — ask if it is refundable if you change your mind.
Check if your employer offers a dependent care FSA or childcare subsidy
A dependent care FSA lets you set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax per year for childcare expenses. Some employers offer additional childcare subsidies or backup care benefits. File this paperwork before your child starts to maximize tax savings.
Transition Plan
Start with short visits before the official start date
Most programs offer a transition week. Start with 1-2 hour visits where you stay, then leave for 30 minutes, then extend separation gradually. This builds your child's trust that you always come back. A rushed transition leads to weeks of difficult drop-offs.
Schedule 2-3 short visits the week before starting
Practice the drop-off routine: say goodbye, one hug, then leave
Send a comfort item from home
A small stuffed animal, family photo, or blanket from home provides emotional security during the transition. Label it with your child's name. Check the program's policy on personal items — most allow one comfort object.
Establish a consistent and quick drop-off routine
Lingering makes it harder. Develop a short goodbye ritual: one hug, one kiss, say 'I will pick you up after snack time,' and walk out. Crying at drop-off is normal for 2-4 weeks. Ask staff to send you a photo 10 minutes after you leave — most children settle quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should you start looking for daycare?
Begin your search 6-12 months before you need care, especially in urban areas where waitlists for popular centers can run 6-18 months. For infant care (under 12 months), start even earlier since infant rooms have the lowest capacity due to strict ratio requirements. Tour at least 3-5 facilities and visit each one twice — once scheduled and once as a drop-in during active hours.
What is the average cost of daycare in the United States?
Full-time daycare averages $1,100-$1,500 per month for toddlers nationwide, though costs range from $700/month in Mississippi to over $2,200/month in Massachusetts and Washington DC. Infant care costs 10-25% more than toddler care. Many employers offer dependent care FSAs that let you set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax annually, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit covers 20-35% of up to $3,000 in expenses per child.
What is the difference between daycare accreditation and licensing?
Licensing is the minimum legal requirement set by your state and covers basic health, safety, and staff-to-child ratios. Accreditation from organizations like NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) is voluntary and requires meeting higher standards for curriculum, teacher qualifications, and family engagement. Only about 10% of childcare centers in the US are NAEYC-accredited.
What staff-to-child ratio should I look for in a daycare?
NAEYC recommended ratios are 1:4 for infants (0-12 months), 1:4 for young toddlers (12-24 months), 1:6 for older toddlers (2-3 years), and 1:10 for preschoolers (3-5 years). State licensing minimums are often less strict than these. Lower ratios mean more individual attention, fewer behavioral issues, and stronger language development, so ask for the center's actual ratios, not just the legal minimums.
How do you know if a daycare is safe for your child?
Request the center's most recent state inspection report (these are public records in most states) and check for repeat violations. Ask about their illness policy, staff background check procedures, and security protocols for drop-off and pickup. Look for working smoke detectors, covered electrical outlets, gated stairways, and outdoor play areas with soft ground cover. Trust your instincts — if children seem engaged and caregivers are warm and attentive during your visit, those are strong positive signs.