What to Ask on a Daycare Tour - Complete Checklist
You booked the tour. Maybe you waited three months just to get this visit. The temptation is to walk in, see smiling kids and colourful walls, and say yes on the spot. Don't. A 30-minute visit is your best chance to figure out whether this place will be good for your child every single day for the next few years.
Here's what to actually look at, ask about, and watch for.
Before You Walk In
Bring a notepad or open a notes app on your phone. You'll visit multiple centres (you should be on several waitlists), and they'll blur together if you don't write things down. Some parents feel awkward taking notes during a tour. Don't. Any centre that's uncomfortable with an engaged, question-asking parent is telling you something.
Also, try to visit during active hours, not naptime. You want to see staff interacting with children, not tiptoeing around sleeping toddlers. Mid-morning is usually ideal.
The Space Itself
Start with what your eyes tell you before anyone says a word.
Is it clean but lived-in? A daycare that looks spotless at 10 AM with twelve toddlers present is either doing something right or staging the visit. Look for reasonable cleanliness: floors swept, no obvious hazards, but evidence that kids actually play here. Art on the walls. Bins of toys that look used. A reading corner that's slightly chaotic.
Is there natural light? Basement daycares exist, and they're not all bad, but a space with windows, natural light, and a direct connection to outdoor play makes a real difference in how children (and staff) feel throughout the day.
How does the outdoor space look? Ontario requires licensed centres to have outdoor play space that meets specific square footage per child [1]. But the minimum isn't always great. Is there shade? Is the equipment age-appropriate? Are there natural elements (sand, water, gardens) or just plastic structures on rubber mats?
Questions About Staff
This is where most parents don't push hard enough. The quality of care comes down to the people in the room.
"What's your staff turnover rate?" This is the single most revealing question you can ask. High turnover means low morale, which means inconsistent care for your child. If the director hesitates or deflects, pay attention. ECE turnover across Canada is a serious problem; the national sector sees turnover rates of 20 to 30% annually [2]. A centre that's bucking that trend is doing something right.
"How many staff have their ECE diploma?" Ontario requires a proportion of staff in each room to hold an ECE diploma, but the minimum isn't 100%. Ask what proportion this centre actually has. Higher-qualified teams generally deliver better programming and handle challenging behaviours more effectively.
"What's the current staff-to-child ratio in the room my child would be in?" Ontario's legal minimums are 1:3 for infants, 1:5 for toddlers, and 1:8 for preschoolers [1]. Some centres operate better than the minimum. Others run right at the line, which means one sick call away from being stretched thin.
"How do you handle staff absences?" Every centre deals with sick days. The question is whether they bring in qualified supply staff or shuffle ratios around. Ask directly.
Questions About the Program
"What does a typical day look like?" You want to hear about a rhythm: free play, structured activities, outdoor time, meals, rest. If the answer is vague ("We just follow the children's interests"), that might sound progressive but could also mean there's no structure. Kids need both freedom and routine.
"How do you handle behaviour challenges?" Listen carefully. The answer should involve patience, redirection, and communication with parents. If you hear anything about "consequences" for toddlers, or if the director talks about behaviour as a problem to be managed rather than a developmental stage, that's worth noting.
"How much outdoor time do children get daily?" Ontario requires outdoor play unless weather conditions make it unsafe, but "unsafe" is interpreted differently by different centres. Some go outside at minus-10. Others cancel outdoor play if it drizzles. Ask where this centre draws the line; Canadian kids need to be outside, even in winter.
"What's the food like?" Many licensed centres provide meals and snacks. Ask to see a sample menu. Is it prepared on-site or catered? Are allergies managed individually or is the whole centre nut-free (most are)? Can you see the kitchen?
Questions About Communication
"How will I know what my child did today?" Some centres use apps (HiMama, Lillio, Brightwheel). Others send home daily sheets. Some do neither and rely on pickup conversations. For infants and toddlers especially, you want to know about naps, diaper changes, meals, and mood. Don't settle for "We have an open-door policy" without specifics.
"How do you handle concerns or complaints?" The answer tells you about the centre's culture. A defensive reaction is a red flag. A clear process (talk to the room supervisor first, then the director, with documentation if needed) is what you want.
"Can I drop in unannounced?" Licensed centres in Ontario must allow parents access during operating hours. If anyone suggests otherwise, that's a problem.
Questions About Logistics
"What are the actual fees, and is this centre enrolled in CWELCC?" About 92% of licensed Ontario spaces participate in the fee reduction program [3]. If this one doesn't, ask why. Centres that opted out may have done so because the fee freeze conflicted with their business model, which isn't necessarily bad, but you'll pay more.
"What's your sick child policy?" Every parent will face the 7 AM call saying they can't bring their child in. How strict is the policy? Fever threshold? How long after symptoms resolve before the child can return? Are there different rules for different illnesses?
"What happens on PA days and during summer?" Relevant for school-age programs. Some centres offer full-day care on PA days and through the summer. Others close or reduce hours.
"What's the late pickup fee?" Most centres charge per minute after closing time. Ask the rate and whether there's a grace period. This is one of those small details that can become a big stressor.
What to Watch For (Red Flags)
These aren't questions; they're observations. Pay attention during the tour:
- Staff on phones. If educators are on their personal phones while children are in their care, supervision is compromised.
- Children crying with no response. A child crying is normal. A child crying while nearby staff don't acknowledge it is not.
- Locked or restricted areas you can't see. You should be able to see every room your child might use.
- The director who doesn't know the staff. If the person giving the tour can't name the educators in each room or seems disconnected from daily operations, the management is detached.
- A hard sell. Good centres don't pressure you. They know their waitlist will fill the spot regardless.
After the Tour
Write down your impressions immediately. Include the date, who gave you the tour, and your gut feeling. Compare notes if your partner visited separately.
Then check the centre's inspection history. Ontario publishes licensed childcare inspection reports, and Toronto posts quality ratings (AQI scores) on its A to Z centre list [4]. These won't tell you everything, but they'll confirm whether the centre has had any compliance issues.
Trust your instincts, but verify them with data. The best daycare is one where the staff seem genuinely happy to be there. That's harder to fake than a freshly painted wall.
References
[1] Child Care Rules in Ontario
[2] Ontario Faces Decline in Proportion of Qualified RECEs