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Before enrolling a baby or toddler in ongoing child care, ask to see the program’s current license or registration, learn who will care for your child day to day, and review written policies for sleep, feeding, illness, supervision, and emergencies. Then compare the actual room and routines with your family’s needs—not just the program’s tour presentation. “Early learning class” can also mean a short parent-and-child activity; this guide focuses on regular care, but the questions can be adapted for shorter classes.
Start with authorization, records, and access
Licensing rules depend on where you live and on the type of program. The CDC explains that states license child-care centers and family child-care homes, and typically update licensing regulations every three to five years; that interval is not a guarantee that every state has updated its rules on schedule. Check your own state or territory’s licensing authority for current requirements and records. CDC: About Child Care
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- “Are you currently licensed or registered for this location and my child’s age group? May I see the license or registration?”
- “Where can I check your latest inspection reports, complaints, corrective actions, or violations?”
- “Can I visit the actual room and outdoor areas my child will use? Can enrolled families visit during operating hours, and how are visitors screened?”
- “Are you accredited? If so, by whom, and what does the accreditation cover?”
Accreditation can offer additional information, but it does not replace checking licensing status and inspection records. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends asking about licensing, violations, and parent access. AAP: Choosing a Child Care Center
Find out who will care for your child and how supervision works
Ask about the room your child will actually join, including quieter opening and closing periods, breaks, staff absences, and any times children are combined with another group. A center’s best-case staffing plan does not tell you what coverage looks like throughout the day.
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- “Who is likely to be my child’s main caregiver, and how long will my child stay with that caregiver or in this room?”
- “What training and experience do caregivers have with infants or toddlers? Are staff current in required first aid and CPR?”
- “How do you cover breaks, opening and closing, absences, and staff turnover? Are children ever combined with another room?”
- “How many children and adults are in this room at different times of day? How do you supervise children by sight and sound, including when they sleep?”
NAEYC’s infant guidance emphasizes continuity and a primary caregiver; its toddler guidance recommends a main teacher and staff with toddler-specific experience. NAEYC: Choosing an Infant-Toddler Program Ask the program to explain its actual staffing and supervision practices rather than relying on a generic ratio figure. Legal limits differ by jurisdiction, and sample ratios on older guidance pages should not be treated as current local law.
Review health, safety, and daily-care policies
For an infant
- “What is your written safe-sleep policy, and may I see where and how babies sleep?”
- “How are bottles and expressed milk or formula labeled, stored, prepared, and fed? How do you follow each family’s feeding instructions?”
- “How do you handle diapering, handwashing, cleaning, food preparation, medication, illness, and emergencies?”
- “How do you share sleep, feeding, and diaper updates with families?”
For a toddler
- “What is your illness and exclusion policy for children and staff? How are families told about exposures or outbreaks?”
- “How do you handle meals, snacks, allergies, toileting, medication, and behavior guidance?”
- “How often are toys and surfaces cleaned, and how do you supervise indoor and outdoor play?”
Ask to read written policies rather than relying only on a verbal summary. Look for clear procedures and be sure staff can explain how they apply them in the room. NAEYC identifies posted health procedures, cleanable environments, separate food-preparation and diaper-changing areas, and routines informed by families as useful things to look for. NAEYC: Choosing an Infant-Toddler Program The AAP also recommends asking about written policies covering health, illness, medication, nutrition, discipline, transportation, media, and outdoor play. AAP: Choosing a Child Care Center
Ask what a typical day looks like for your child’s age
Infants and toddlers have different needs from preschoolers. Ask how the program responds to sleepiness, hunger, exploration, and changing developmental abilities instead of expecting every child to follow a rigid group schedule.
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- “What does a typical day look like, and how do you adjust it when an infant is tired or a toddler needs more time?”
- “How much time do babies get for floor play and exploration rather than time in seats or devices?”
- “What open-ended objects, books, sensory materials, and outdoor opportunities are available?”
- “How do you handle meals, diaper changes, dressing, and toileting as opportunities for responsive interaction and growing independence?”
- “How do you adapt activities for different ages, abilities, languages, and developmental stages?”
NAEYC’s infant guidance describes play with safe objects, shared books, responsive routines, feeding while held, and attention to family preferences. Its toddler guidance highlights choices, open-ended materials, active and quiet time, flexible schedules, and routines that support independence. NAEYC: Choosing an Infant-Toddler Program Watch for whether the proposed day seems appropriate for your child’s age and allows time for individual needs.
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Clarify communication and the family’s role
- “How often and through what channel will I hear about my child’s day?”
- “Who should I contact with a concern, and how are concerns resolved?”
- “How do you include family preferences, home languages, cultural routines, and transition rituals?”
- “Can we arrange a gradual transition or brief visit before the first full day?”
- “How do you handle discipline and behavior, and can I read the written policy?”
Ask how often you will receive feedback, whether staff are approachable, and how the program handles concerns. The AAP also recommends asking whether parents can visit. AAP: Choosing a Child Care Center
Get the practical terms in writing
- “What are the regular hours, closure calendar, late-pickup rules, and vacation or holiday arrangements?”
- “What is the full fee schedule, payment method, deposit, notice period, and refund policy? Are there extra charges?”
- “Which diapers, wipes, food, bottles, bedding, clothing, or other supplies do families provide?”
- “What are the illness-related absence and return rules?”
- “What pickup authorization and transportation rules apply?”
Fees, hours, and contract terms vary by program, so request the complete schedule and written policies before signing. The AAP recommends asking about hours, payment, additional services and costs, transportation, and policies. AAP: Choosing a Child Care Center
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compare programs using the same questions
After each tour, record specific answers so you can compare programs on equal terms.
| What to compare | What to note |
|---|---|
| Authorization and transparency | Current license or registration, accessible inspection record, candid answers, and visiting policy |
| Relationships and staffing | Caregiver continuity, relevant training, actual group size, staffing at different times, and absence coverage |
| Health and safety | Written policies and staff explanations for sleep, feeding, hygiene, illness, medication, and emergencies |
| Infant or toddler fit | Responsive routines, exploration and play, an age-appropriate schedule, and active supervision |
| Family partnership | Regular updates, respect for family preferences, approachable staff, and a clear way to raise concerns |
| Practical fit | Hours, location, closures, total cost, supply expectations, and contract terms |
A polished tour alone cannot establish what daily practice is like. Where allowed, observe ordinary routines, ask to see relevant records, and follow up in writing about unanswered policy or contract questions. Vague answers about licensing, supervision, sleep, illness, staff coverage, or fees are reasons to ask for clarification before enrolling—not, on their own, proof that a program is unsafe.
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