· 2 min read · updated
Daycare visit: the questions to ask before choosing
A simple list of questions to size up a daycare during your visit: educators, daily routine, meals, safety and communication with parents.
In short
On a daycare visit, ask how many children there are per educator, what a typical day looks like, who cooks the meals, how allergies and safety are handled, and how the team keeps parents informed. Watch the atmosphere too: it counts as much as the answers.
A thirty-minute visit is enough to get a good sense of a daycare, as long as you know what to look for. These are the questions we suggest parents ask, here or anywhere.
What should I ask about the staff?
- How many children are there per educator in my child's group?
- Are the educators qualified? How long have they worked here?
- Will my child always have the same educator?
What should I ask about my child's day?
- What does a typical day look like? When are meals and naps?
- How much time do children spend outdoors?
- Which educational program do you follow? (Every recognized daycare applies Accueillir la petite enfance.)
What should I ask about meals?
- Who cooks the meals, and where?
- How do you handle allergies and dietary restrictions?
- Can I see the menu?
What should I ask about safety and hygiene?
- Who can pick up my child, and how do you check?
- What happens if my child is sick or gets hurt?
- Are the rooms clean, well lit and suited to the children's age?
What should I ask about communication?
- How will I know how my child's day went?
- How does the first few weeks' settling-in work?
- Who do I talk to if I have a question or a concern?
What should I watch for during the visit?
Watch, too: do the children seem at ease? Are the educators down at their level, talking with them? Is the room calm? Your impression counts as much as the answers.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
About thirty minutes is enough to see the rooms, meet the director and ask your questions.
How many children there are per educator in your child's group, and how settling-in works in the first weeks.
Subsidized spots are obtained through the government registration portal; a visit doesn't give access to a spot.