Making the Best Choice: How to Choose a Daycare That's Right for Your Family

Choosing the right daycare for your family is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your child’s early years—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve created a step-by-step checklist to help you identify your personal priorities and pinpoint the daycare that will best meet your needs. 

Follow along for key factors to consider that will help guide you toward a decision that you’ll feel confident and excited about as your family begins the daycare journey!

Step 1: Assess Your Family’s Childcare Needs

Before you even begin to explore the daycare options near you, it’s helpful to create a foundational checklist, highlighting key factors and family priorities that will contribute to your decision, regardless of the specific center.

• What is your perspective on educational values and developmental approaches?
  • Do you favor an environment that emphasizes play-based learning?
  • Are you seeking a curriculum-based daycare setting?
  • What teaching style do you believe will best support your child’s needs?
• What are your budget requirements and limitations?
  • Is there a range of tuition rates you’d like to stay within?
  • Have you accounted for registration and other fees that may be required?
  • Have you explored any employer benefits, financial aid, or payment plans that might be available to help support the cost of daycare?
• What are your scheduling needs?

• • Do you require early drop-off and/or late pick-up options?
  • Do you need full-time or part-time coverage?
  • Is the availability of backup care important to you?
  • How will daycare impact your commute distance and time?

Step 2: Verify Licensing and Standards

Once you’ve started to gather a list of potential daycare centers in your area, this non-negotiable safety checklist will ensure each one has the proper licenses, compliance, and procedures in place before you move forward.

• Licensing and Compliance

• • Is the center a licensed daycare with a posted Certificate of Compliance from the state?
  • Has the daycare earned additional accreditation from organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)?

• Teacher Quality

• • What are the qualifications for the center’s teachers? Are they required to have early childhood education credentials, teacher training, and/or prior daycare experience?
  • Is the staff fully certified in first aid and CPR?
  • What are the teacher turnover and retention rates?

• Facility Safety

• • When you visit the center, are you required to sign in and identify yourself?
  • Do you notice childproofing measures in place, such as outlets, gates, cabinets, and bookshelves secured? 
  • Is the outdoor play area safe and enclosed? 
  • Are emergency evacuation, fire, and other emergency plans clearly posted?
  • Are smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in place? 
  • Are the bathrooms, classrooms, and common areas clean and well-maintained? 

Step 3: Evaluate the Program 

The best way to get a full picture of the experience a daycare offers is by scheduling an in-person visit and classroom observation. In addition to the safety items mentioned above, below is a checklist of what to keep an eye out for during your tour.

• What types of activities are the children engaged in? Is there a balance between structured time and free play? 
• Is there evidence of creative expression and exploration, such as artwork displayed?
• Do you sense a positive learning environment with supportive interactions between the teachers and the children? 
  • Are teachers giving individual attention to each child?
  • Do the kids appear happy and engaged? 
  • Did you notice healthy conflict resolution approaches?
• Are key quality indicators in place, such as adequate teacher-to-child ratios, with more teachers assigned to the younger age groups? 
• Are the children with peers of their own age?

Step 4: Ask the Right Questions

You will certainly have a long list of questions that come to mind as you’re evaluating your options. Be sure to build on and bring this list with you on your tours!

• Operational Policies

• • What are the guidelines for when a child is sick? 
  • How do you manage food allergies during meal and snack times? Are there restrictions on what foods can be brought to school? 
  • What is the schedule for nap times and rest periods? 
  • Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?

• Communication

• • How will you communicate with me? Will I receive daily reports or updates?
  • How do I best reach out with questions or concerns?
  • Do you use an app or a parent portal?
  • Are there parent-teacher conferences?

• Enrollment

• • Are there spots available currently (or whenever you’re looking to enroll)? What are the next steps for enrollment?
  • What is the payment schedule, and what are your accepted payment options and plans?
  • What are your holiday and weather-related closure policies?
  • Am I able to do a trial period or gradual transition to ensure this is the right fit for my child?

Step 5: Choose a Daycare That’s Right for Your Family

By this point, you’ve checked off basic facility and safety concerns, ensured a daycare can meet your family’s lifestyle and priorities, and gained a better understanding of the childcare environment through an in-person tour. The final stage of decision-making now combines what you’ve learned with third-party feedback and, most importantly, with your own personal instincts of what will be the best place for your child.

We recommend reading online reviews, testimonials from current families, and any media articles you might come across. Your pediatrician can likely provide their insights, and neighbors and parenting groups might also be able to share their experiences. As a final step once your decision is made, be sure to thoroughly review the contract before signing.

Your Ducklings Daycare Checklist: Ready to Get Started?

After following the steps above, you should be well-positioned with the confidence and peace of mind that you have chosen the very best daycare for your family.

Ducklings Early Learning Center invites you to plan a visit to any of our locations and take your time exploring the classrooms, meeting with the teachers, and asking any questions you may have. Once you step inside, you’ll see what makes Ducklings such a special place to learn and grow.

Schedule a tour today—we can’t wait to meet you and your family!