25 questions to ask on a daycare or preschool visit
25 questions to ask a daycare or preschool on your visit, grouped by staff, safety, routine, food, sickness, fees and settling in, with why each one matters.
On a daycare or preschool visit, ask about staff, safety, the daily routine, food, sick policy, fees, communication and settling in. The 25 questions below cover all of these. Specific, confident answers are a good sign; vague ones are worth a follow-up.
Print this list or save it on your phone. You won't need every question at every centre, but it helps to have them ready.
Staff and caregivers
1. Who will look after my child day to day? You want a name, not "our team". Ask to meet them.
2. What training do your teachers and caregivers have? Look for early childhood training and first aid, not only general degrees.
3. Are all staff police or background verified, including helpers, drivers and cleaners? Everyone who is near children matters, not only teachers. A good centre answers yes without hesitation.
4. How long have your current staff been here? Children settle with familiar faces. Frequent changes in staff are worth noticing.
5. How many children does each adult look after in my child's group? Then count during your visit. Our teacher-to-child ratio guide explains what is reasonable at each age.
Safety and security
6. How do you control who enters the building? Notice whether the gate was locked and whether anyone asked who you were.
7. Who is allowed to pick up my child, and how do you check? A good answer: a written list from you, photo ID for anyone new and a call to you first.
8. What happens in a medical emergency? Ask which hospital is nearest, who takes the child and how quickly you are called.
9. Do you have CCTV, and who can view it? Cameras can help, but they don't replace attentive staff. See our guide to CCTV in daycare.
10. Do you have a written child protection policy? Ask how staff are trained to report concerns and who parents can raise issues with.
Daily routine and learning
11. Can I see a typical daily schedule? Look for a balance of play, outdoor time, meals, rest and stories.
12. How much time do children spend outdoors? Ask what happens on very hot or polluted days. A good centre has an indoor plan.
13. How do you approach learning at this age? For under-fives, play-based learning is a better sign than worksheets and rote drills.
14. How do you handle a child who is upset, biting or hitting? You want calm, consistent responses. Be wary of any answer that involves shaming or punishment.
Food and naps
15. Can I see this week's menu? Is food cooked on site? Fresh, simple, balanced meals matter more than a long menu.
16. How do you manage allergies and dietary needs? Ask where allergy information is displayed and how staff are told.
17. Where and when do children nap, and who stays with them? Each child should have their own bedding, and an adult should always be present.
Health and sickness
18. When should I keep my child at home? A clear sick policy protects your child and everyone else's. Vague rules usually mean illness spreads.
19. What happens if my child gets ill during the day? Ask how quickly you are expected to collect, and where your child waits meanwhile.
20. Can staff give medicine? Ask whether they need written permission and how they record each dose.
Communication
21. How will I hear about my child's day? Ask whether you get updates on meals, naps, nappies and mood, and how often.
22. How do you report incidents, even small ones? The best answer is "the same day, every time", with a short written note. Our guide to daily updates explains what to expect.
Fees and policies
23. What is the full cost, including one-time fees? Ask for every charge in writing: admission, deposit, meals, transport, activities and late pickup. See our guide to daycare fees.
24. What are the notice and refund terms if we leave? Ask how much notice you must give and whether the deposit or any advance fees are refundable.
Settling in
25. How do you help a new child settle in? A good centre suggests a gradual start, with shorter days in the first week. Ask whether you can stay for part of the first few days. Our guide to settling into daycare has more.
What a good visit feels like
Answers are only part of it. Watch how staff speak to the children while you are talking to the manager.
Notice whether children seem relaxed and busy, and whether staff answer your questions without getting defensive. If you are told to "just trust us" without detail, ask again.
If anything worries you, compare it against our list of daycare red flags. For the bigger picture of choosing well, read the complete daycare checklist.
After the visit
Write down your impressions the same day, before centres blur together. Then, if you can, book a trial day at your top choice.
When Kribble launches, you'll be able to see fees, timings and safety details for centres its team has visited. That means fewer calls before you shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important question to ask a daycare?
Ask who will look after your child each day, and then meet that person. The caregiver your child spends most time with shapes their experience more than any facility.
How long should a daycare visit take?
Plan for 30 to 45 minutes. That gives you time to ask questions and, more importantly, to watch the children and staff during a normal part of the day.
Should I take my child on the first visit?
It helps on a second visit or trial day, so you can see how staff respond to your child. On the first visit, going alone lets you focus on asking questions and observing.
What if the centre won't answer some questions?
Some details, like other families' information, are rightly private. But a centre that avoids questions about safety, staff checks, fees or pickup rules is a centre to think twice about.