Read next.
The daycare tour checklist
Twenty-six things to look at, ask about, and write down on every tour. Designed to be printed.
Questions to ask on a daycare tour
The forty questions a senior daycare director suggested. Grouped by topic, ranked by importance.
Daycare red flags
Twelve warning signs to watch for on any tour, from ratio compliance to how the bathrooms smell.
How to choose between two daycares
The decision rubric we recommend when both centers look great on paper.
How to evaluate daycare safety
Licensing reports, ratios, background checks, and the safety policies worth reading line by line.
Center vs home daycare
How licensed family child care differs from a center on price, ratio, and consistency.
What NAEYC accreditation means
Why fewer than ten percent of US daycares carry the seal, and whether non-accredited centers can still be excellent.
Accredited vs licensed
State licensing is the floor. Accreditation is a higher standard. What the difference means in daily practice.
Switching daycares mid-year
When it is worth the transition cost and how to make the switch smooth for your child.