Choosing the right daycare for our infants is a big decision that shapes their early growth and well-being. As parents, we want a safe, warm place where our little ones can thrive. A tour isn’t just a walk-through; it’s your chance to ask questions, see the day-to-day in action, and check that the program fits your values and expectations.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the essential questions to bring on your infant daycare tour. From safety protocols to staff qualifications, understanding how each piece works will help you make a confident, informed choice.
Quick Answer: Best Questions to Ask When Touring an Infant Daycare
When touring a daycare for your infant, focus on safety, staff qualifications, and daily routines. Ask about health protocols, caregiver credentials, communication practices, and how they handle naps, feeds, and soothing. Those answers will tell you whether the program offers a safe, nurturing, and consistent environment for your child’s growth.
Safety and Health Protocols
When it comes to our little ones, safety is everything. As you tour, look for clear, well-practiced safeguards:
- Facility Safety Measures: Ask about locked entrances, visitor check-ins, and who monitors the door. Confirm that staff are trained and current on CPR and first aid, so they’re prepared for emergencies.
- Notice the Little Things: This includes outlet coverage (observing if they use a safety device or cover), secured shelving, clear walkways, clearly labeled allergy information, and handwashing procedures.
- Health Practices: Learn how they sanitize toys, cribs, and high-touch areas throughout the day. What happens when a child gets sick? Do they have clear illness policies and return-to-care guidelines?
- Emergency Procedures: Ask to see the written plans for fires and severe weather. Ask how often they drill. How will parents be contacted in an emergency, and who will contact them? Are these plans posted? When confirming lockdown procedures, programs may not share full details to maintain overall effectiveness. However, it is important to confirm that a center is equipped to handle such emergencies.
Staff Qualifications and Ratios
The right caregivers make all the difference. Use your tour to get specific:
- Staff Credentials: Ask about education, infant experience, and certifications. Do caregivers receive ongoing training in infant development, safe sleep, and responsive care?
- Child-to-Staff Ratio: Ratios shape your child’s day. Confirm how many infants each caregiver supports and how they maintain ratios during breaks, drop-offs, and busy times.
- Staff Turnover: Consistency matters. What’s the average tenure? How do they support staff well-being and retention? Stable teams usually mean calmer rooms and predictable routines.
Pay attention to how caregivers interact with babies; gentle voices, eye contact, unhurried feeds, and attentive soothing. When a center pairs solid credentials with warm, responsive care, you’ll feel it the moment you step into the room.
Daily Routine and Curriculum
A day that fits your child’s needs should feel calm, predictable, and developmentally rich:
- Schedule Overview: Ask for a sample day. How are feeds, naps, diapering, play, and outdoor time balanced? Do they follow each infant’s cues or a set schedule?
- Educational Approach: Is learning play-based, sensory-driven, or more structured? For infants, look for tummy time, language exposure, music, and simple cause-and-effect play.
- Developmental Milestones: How do they support motor, social-emotional, and language milestones? Do they document progress and share it with you?
Communication and Parental Involvement
Staying connected helps everyone:
- Updates and Reports: How will you get daily info; an app, written notes, quick chats? Ask what’s included (feeds, diapers, naps, mood, photos).
- Parental Access: What’s the policy on drop-ins or mid-day check-ins? Are there regular conferences to talk about growth and goals?
- Community Engagement: Are families invited to events, workshops, or classroom celebrations?
Policies and Procedures
Policies prevent surprises later:
- Enrollment and Fees: Clarify admission requirements, tuition, deposits, schedule options, and any added costs (supplies, late pick-ups, closures).
- Health and Safety Policies: Ask how they manage medications, allergies, and illness. What happens if your child gets sick during the day? What’s the safe-sleep policy?
- Discipline and Guidance: For infants, this is about gentle redirection and co-regulation. How do they support early social skills?
Facility Environment and Resources
The space should feel clean, calm, and infant-friendly:
- Physical Environment: Is it tidy and well organized? Are floors, cribs, and changing stations clean? Are indoor and outdoor areas secure and age-appropriate?
- Learning Materials: Look for soft books, rattles, mirrors, textured toys, and safe floor time spaces. Are materials rotated and in good condition?
- Sleep and Feeding Facilities: Check that cribs meet safe-sleep standards and that feeding areas are comfortable and hygienic.
A well-designed room supports exploration and comfort. If you can picture your child relaxing, playing, and resting there, you’re on the right track.
Inclusivity and Special Needs Support
Every child should feel welcome and supported:
- Inclusive Practices: How do they honor different cultures, languages, and family structures? What does inclusion look like in daily routines?
- Special Needs Support: Are staff trained to work with developmental differences, therapies, or medical plans? How do they coordinate with outside providers?
- Partnership with Parents: Ask how individualized care plans are created, reviewed, and updated.
Final Thoughts: Questions to Ask During Your Infant Daycare Tour
Choosing a daycare is a big step, but the right questions make it manageable. By focusing on safety, staffing, daily routines, and inclusivity, you’ll gather the details that matter most. Ultimately, you’re looking for a place where your baby feels safe, loved, and steadily supported.
Trust what you see, what you hear—and your gut. With a clear checklist and open conversations, you’ll find a program that fits your family and gives you real peace of mind.
If you’re in Wilton, Shelton, or Trumbull, and need a daycare for your new bundle of joy, get in touch!
