Questions to Ask When Visiting a Daycare Centre

1. Choosing a daycare centre is one of those decisions that looks simple on paper, then turns complicated the minute you step through the door. You are weighing your child’s safety, happiness, and early learning against your commute, your budget, and your instincts. I’ve sat on both sides of the table: as a parent scouting a childcare centre near me with a toddler on my hip, and as an advisor helping early learning centres refine their programs and operations. The best visits feel like good conversations, not interviews. The right questions help you see past the polished tour and into the daily rhythm. What follows is a practical guide to what to ask, why it matters, and how to read the room while you’re there. Use it as a script if you like, then let your intuition play. A licensed daycare can meet regulations and still miss the mark for your family. The goal is to find a place where your child can thrive and you can breathe. Start with the basics, then watch the interactions Before diving into philosophy and curriculum, begin with the concrete. Confirm the centre’s license status, hours, fees, and availability. Ask to see ratios posted on the wall and verify them with the director. In most regions, you’ll see something like 1 educator for every 4 infants, 1 for every 5 toddlers, and 1 for every 8 to 12 preschoolers, depending on ages and local rules. If the numbers appear stretched, you should hear a thoughtful plan for coverage during breaks and staff illness, not “We make it work.” As you ask, keep your eyes busy. Notice how educators greet children by name, how they manage transitions, and how the environment feels after the first five minutes. Are toddlers wandering or engaged? Do you hear laughter, or only adult voices directing? A childcare centre says plenty without words. Safety, security, and health protocols worth probing Safety isn’t just a locked door and background checks. It’s the culture you sense when something unexpected happens. Ask to walk through the arrival process. Who opens the door? How are visitors identified? Many centres manage a secure entry with a keypad, a receptionist, or both. Ask how often codes are changed, and what happens if someone unfamiliar tries to pick up your child. Medication and illness policies deserve careful attention. Ask how the centre handles fevers, rashes, and bumps on the head. Do they call, text, or log incidents in an app? You want specifics: thresholds for sending a child home, symptom- free windows for returning, and exceptions for chronic conditions with doctor notes. Diapering and toileting should follow a clear, posted procedure with handwashing baked in. Watch a handwashing station in use. Are children doing it, or is it just a poster? Fire drills and emergency planning reveal preparedness. Ask when the last drill happened and how often they practice evacuations and lockdowns. In areas prone to wildfires or severe storms, ask about air quality protocols or shelter plans. You’ll learn whether safety sits in a binder or in muscle memory. Staffing, ratios, and turnover rates

2. The heart of any early learning centre is its educators. Degrees and certificates matter, but they don’t replace warmth, curiosity, and professional stamina. Ask about staff qualifications by classroom. How many have early childhood diplomas, how many are assistants working toward them, and who mentors new hires? Ask, too, about tenure. A team with a few anchors who have been there 3 to 7 years often signals a stable culture. Turnover happens. People move, life changes, and childcare wages can be tight. What matters is how the centre handles transitions. Do families get timely updates and meet-and-greets with new staff? Is there a sub pool of familiar faces? I’ve watched centres with modest resources keep a steady, loving feel simply by investing in coaching, fair scheduling, and appreciation rituals that help educators stay. Ask how breaks and lunches are covered. If ratios drop every day at 11:30, classrooms get chaotic and teachers burn out. Coverage plans show whether the director understands the real work of caring for a room of toddlers in motion. Daily rhythm, not just a schedule on a wall A posted schedule is necessary, but rhythm is about how time feels. Ask to see a full day’s plan for your child’s age group, then ask how it changes with weather, mood, or developmental leaps. The best rooms follow predictable anchor points, like meals and naps, while staying flexible for play that runs long or children who need a quiet corner. Meals and snacks reveal more than nutrition. Ask if food is cooked onsite or catered, how allergies are managed, and whether children serve themselves. Family-style dining teaches turn-taking and motor skills. I’ve seen two-year-olds pass bowls, pour water from small pitchers, and beam with pride. It’s messier, and it’s worth it. For naps, ask how they help children wind down. Some centres dim lights and play calm music. Others use individualized routines that mirror home, within reason. If your child is a contact napper, talk openly about the plan. Compromise can work. What you want is an educator who listens, tries, and communicates. Curriculum: what gets taught, and how it feels Buzzwords fly in early child care: play-based, Reggio-inspired, Montessori, emergent, inquiry. Ask the director to show, not just tell. What does play-based learning look like on Tuesday at 10:15 in the toddler room? You should hear examples tied to developmental goals. “We noticed a fascination with ramps and rolling. We added tubes, balls of different sizes, and cardboard slopes. We asked questions about speed, counted rolls, and introduced words like ‘fast’, ‘slow’, and ‘friction’.” Ask how they adapt for different learners. Three children in the same preschool near me might all be “working on shapes,” but one learns by building, another through drawing, and a third through movement games. You’re looking for intentionality, not rigid lesson plans. Great educators set up provocations, observe, then extend learning with just the right nudge.

3. Specialist offerings can be a bonus: music, movement, yoga, languages. Ask whether these are taught by staff or rotating instructors, and how they integrate with the week. A quick note matters: extras should never replace free play. Outdoor play and risky play, done responsibly Outdoor time isn’t a luxury. It’s how children build strength, balance, and sensory regulation. Ask how much outdoor time happens daily, even in winter or light rain. Look at the yard. Is there room to run, climb, dig, and crouch? You don’t need a fancy playground. Loose parts like logs, crates, and water channels can transform a small space into a laboratory. Ask how they sanitize sand and how often they rotate materials. Bring up risky play. Good centres let children test themselves within clear limits. That might mean climbing a little higher with a spotter, hammering pegs with child-safe tools under supervision, or rolling down a grassy hill headfirst. Ask how educators coach risk assessment: “What’s your plan? Where will your feet go? What could happen if you let go?” If the answer is simply “We don’t allow that,” probe for the rationale. Inclusion, diversity, and support for additional needs If your child has allergies, a developmental delay, or you simply want to know how the centre supports differences, ask directly. Does the daycare centre collaborate with speech therapists or occupational therapists who visit on site? How do they integrate strategies into daily routines without singling out a child? The best centres partner with families and specialists, gather simple data, and adjust regularly. Language and cultural inclusion matters too. Ask how they reflect families in books, songs, and images around the room. It’s easy to buy a set of diverse dolls. It’s harder and more meaningful when educators pronounce names correctly, honor home languages, and adapt holiday activities to be inclusive. If your family doesn’t celebrate certain holidays, ask how they approach opt-outs. Communication habits that build trust You’ll learn more from the cadence of updates than from any glossy brochure. Ask to see a sample daily report, then ask what happens when the day goes off script. If your child barely ate or napped for 20 minutes, will they call, message, or chat at pickup with ideas for tomorrow? Many centres use apps to share photos and notes. These are helpful, as long as educators spend most of their time with children, not screens. Ask about parent-teacher conferences. How often, how long, and what is discussed? Some centres offer twice-yearly meetings with developmental snapshots linked to a known framework. Others do rolling updates with portfolios and open houses. There isn’t a single right answer. You want structure, plus spontaneous conversation when needed. Behaviour guidance and social-emotional learning

4. Discipline is where philosophy meets pressure. You want to know what happens when a child hits, bites, or refuses to join the group. Ask for concrete examples. “When two three-year-olds pushed each other over a block, what did you do, and what happened next?” Listen for language that names feelings, sets clear limits, and teaches repair: “You’re angry. It’s okay to feel angry. It’s not okay to hit. Let’s check on Maya. How can we make it right?” Time-outs as isolation are falling out of practice in high-quality early learning settings. Calming spaces can help, if they are offered as a regulation tool rather than punishment. Biting deserves its own question in toddler care. It’s common, it’s stressful, and it’s manageable with supervision, teething supports, and attention to triggers like crowding or fatigue. Ask how they inform both families while keeping names confidential, and what patterns they look for. Transitions in and out: starting, moving rooms, and after school care The first few weeks can make or break your experience. Ask about the onboarding plan. Will you have a short visit and stay, then a series of longer drop-offs? Some local daycare programs stagger start dates to keep ratios in check while children settle. If you’re starting after a parental leave, talk about nap shifts and feeding routines. Your child’s body clock will reset in a couple of weeks, but gentle transitions help. Ask about room moves. Toddlers don’t magically become preschoolers on their birthdays. The best centres graduate children in cohorts or individually when they are ready, with visits to the new room and shared activities with future educators. If you have older children, ask whether the centre offers after school care and how transitions from the school bus or pickup are handled. Continuity saves time and builds relationships across years. Fees, waitlists, and financial clarity Money talk is often awkward, but clarity here prevents later friction. Ask for a fee schedule that lists full-time, part-time, and drop-in rates if offered. Confirm what is included, like diapers, wipes, meals, and field trips. Ask about deposits, waitlist fees, and their refundability. Some centres apply the deposit to your last month’s tuition, others hold it as a security deposit. Clarify late pickup fees and how they are enforced. If you’re comparing a daycare near me that’s centrally located to one a bit farther but cheaper, consider hidden costs like commute time, parking, or earlier closing times that force you to leave work. Ask about holiday closures and professional development days. Ten extra closure days add up if you need backup care. Cleanliness and maintenance that withstand real life A spotless room at 9 a.m. says very little. A tidy room at 4:30, with the day’s play lingering at the edges, says a lot. Ask when toys are sanitized and how they handle soft items like dress-up clothes and plush toys. Peek under the sink if allowed, and check that cleaning products are stored safely and labeled. The bathrooms should smell neutral, not perfumed. The diaper pails should close tightly. Walls don’t need to gleam, but chipping paint or broken latches need attention. Ask who handles maintenance and how quickly issues get fixed. A jammed door or loose stair rail is not a small matter. High-quality centres have a simple system for reporting and resolving repairs, sometimes with a log you can see. Transportation, excursions, and community ties If the centre takes children on walks or field trips, ask how they plan ratios, permissions, and safety protocols. Do they use a rope line or walking rings? How do they cross streets? I like to hear details like signal words and a headcount routine that includes a double-check at every transition. Community connections can enrich a program. Some early learning centres partner with libraries for story times, invite local artists, or visit nearby gardens. If your child will be attending a preschool near me as a bridge to kindergarten, ask how the centre connects with local schools and what information they share at transition time. Red flags that deserve attention Most centres will have minor imperfections. You’re looking for patterns that suggest deeper problems, especially around consistency, respect, and transparency. If a director dismisses your questions with jargon or vagueness, consider what

5. happens when you raise a concern later. If you witness shouting, sarcasm toward children, or public shaming, leave politely and keep looking. If staff look chronically exhausted with no relief in sight, it may indicate staffing instability that will affect your child’s day. What “fit” feels like After the tour and the questions, spend a minute noticing your body. Do you feel lighter or tense? Could you imagine handing your child over at 8 a.m. without a knot in your stomach? One parent I worked with visited four centres in two weeks. She chose the one with slightly older furnishings and a modest yard because her toddler climbed into an educator’s lap and stayed there, hand relaxed, thumb out of his mouth. It wasn’t fancy. It felt safe. Fit beats features. A short checklist to bring on your visit Verify license status, posted ratios, and educator qualifications. Ask for specifics on safety, illness policy, and incident reporting. Observe interactions, transitions, and how educators speak to children. Review the daily rhythm, curriculum approach, and outdoor time. Clarify fees, closures, waitlists, and what’s included. If you’re comparing a few options Sometimes you’re choosing among three good choices. Here are a few tie-breaker questions that often reveal differences without turning the visit into an interrogation. “Tell me about a child who started shy and how you helped them open up.” “What’s a recent change you made based on parent feedback?” “How do you support educators’ professional growth?” “Can you show me a documentation panel or portfolio from this month?” “What do you love about this age group, and what’s hard right now?” Listen for stories with dates, names withheld, and concrete steps. You want evidence that they learn and adapt. How location factors in without overshadowing care Searching “daycare near me” is practical. A convenient location increases the odds that you’ll arrive on time and that your child won’t spend an extra hour buckled into a car seat each day. That said, the nearest option isn’t always the right one. If a centre one neighborhood over has strong educator retention and outdoor space that makes your child glow, the extra 10 minutes might https://www.golocalads.com/ads/the-learning-circle-childcare-centre-south-surrey-campus/ be a good trade. For some families, having a childcare centre near me close to work matters more because it allows lunchtime drop-ins or faster pickups if your child gets sick. Think about your patterns and backup plans. If grandparents handle afternoons twice a week, a local daycare near their home could be the smartest anchor. Special cases: infants, toddlers, and mixed-age programs Infants need continuity, responsive care, and safe sleep practices you can verify. Ask to see the crib room. Look for individual sleep spaces with firm mattresses, fitted sheets, and no loose blankets. Ask how they handle bottle prep and whether they follow your feeding schedule or a demand-led approach. Ask whether they document diaper changes and naps in real time. In toddler care, the magic lives in movement and language. Ask how often children get outside, how they handle big feelings, and whether they use sign language or visuals to ease communication. Biting policies matter here. So do sensory activities that allow for pouring, scooping, and messy exploration. Mixed-age programs can be wonderful for siblings and social learning. Ask how they tailor activities so younger children aren’t sidelined and older ones stay challenged. Educators should be able to give parallel invitations: the same theme, scaled up or down. Final thoughts before you decide Pick a time to visit that mirrors your daily drop-off or pickup. If you’ll arrive at 5:15 most days, ask to see the centre during the late afternoon. That window shows energy management, clean-up routines, and the honesty of end-of-day

6. communication. Bring your child if the centre allows it, and watch their face. Children are not perfect barometers, especially on first visits, but their curiosity is telling. Do they reach for a puzzle, glance at a teacher, or head for the bookshelf? Ask for references. A quick chat with two families who have been there at least a year can calibrate your impressions. Ask what the centre does best, what they wish were different, and whether they have stayed through a staff change. Most important, keep your standards high and your expectations humane. A licensed daycare should meet rigorous safety and educational benchmarks. It will also have days when snack is late and someone spills paint on their shirt. Look for a team that owns mistakes, communicates openly, and shows up the next morning ready to try again. When you find that place, you’ll feel it. The questions above help you hear the answers beneath the answers. They turn a tour into a portrait of how your child’s day will actually unfold. And that is the point: not a perfect brochure, but a good day, repeated, until your child is ready for what comes next. The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus Pacific Building, 12761 16 Ave, Surrey, BC V4A 1N3 (604) 385-5890 24JJ+JJ Surrey, British Columbia We are a different kind of early learning facility, delivering a unique and holistic approach to childcare since 1992. Our curriculum is built around our respect for children, nurturing their individual strengths and allowing them to learn and discover in their own way. We're creating a community where children, teachers, and parents fit together like puzzle pieces. Our unique and holistic approach to early learning and childcare sets us apart, fosters individual strengths and promotes balance between education, physical fitness, nutrition, and care. We stand apart as a different, unique, and truly special kind of early learning facility in South Surrey/Ocean Park, just like the children.