The 20 most important questions to ask on a daycare tour are: licensing status, staff-to-child ratios, teacher turnover, curriculum details, illness policies, safety procedures, subsidy acceptance, meal inclusion, communication methods, and how they handle behavioral issues. This checklist — built specifically for NJ parents — ensures you leave every tour with the information you need to make a confident decision.
Why Your Tour Questions Matter More Than the Tour Itself
A daycare center can look beautiful on the surface. The walls are painted bright colors, the toys are organized, the director is warm and welcoming. But the questions you ask — and the answers you get — reveal what daily life actually looks like for your child.
New Jersey parents have specific considerations: NJ DCF licensing requirements, Middlesex and Union County subsidy programs, specific ratios mandated by state law. This guide covers all of it.
schedule a tour at Little Einstein’s Academy — Edison (334 Plainfield Ave) and Roselle (528 E 2nd Ave) — and use this checklist when you visit.
Questions About Licensing & Safety
1. Is this center licensed by NJ DCF — and can I see the license?
Every licensed NJ childcare center is required to display its current license. Ask to see it. Confirm the license is active (not provisional or expired) and covers the full capacity of children currently enrolled.
You can independently verify any NJ childcare license at nj.gov/dcf.
2. When was your last NJ DCF inspection, and were there any violations?
Centers are inspected annually. Ask for the most recent inspection report. A center with zero violations in the last 2–3 inspections signals strong operational standards. One or two minor violations that were corrected promptly is acceptable. Repeat or unresolved violations are a red flag.
3. What is your emergency and evacuation procedure?
Ask to see the posted emergency evacuation route. Ask how parents are notified during an emergency. A good center will have practiced drills, clear routes, and a parent communication plan.
4. Who has access to the building — and how is entry controlled?
Look for: buzz-in entry, security cameras, a sign-in/sign-out log, and a policy requiring photo ID for authorized pickups. Ask what happens if an unauthorized person attempts pickup.
5. Are all staff members background-checked?
In NJ, all childcare staff must pass a criminal background check and child abuse registry check before hire. Confirm this applies to all staff — including substitutes and volunteers.
Questions About Staff
6. What are your actual staff-to-child ratios — not just the licensed maximum?
NJ law sets maximums (1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, 1:10 for preschoolers). Ask what ratios look like on a typical Tuesday afternoon — not just at best-case enrollment. Also ask what happens when a staff member calls out sick.
7. What qualifications do your lead teachers hold?
NJ requires lead teachers to have at minimum a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or be enrolled in an ECE degree program. Many quality centers require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Ask specifically about the teacher who would be with your child daily.
8. How long have your teachers been here?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. High staff turnover is the single biggest predictor of poor child outcomes in early education. Teachers leaving frequently disrupts attachment, consistency, and developmental progress. If the director struggles to answer or the number is under 1 year average, that’s a significant concern.
9. How do you handle staff absences?
Ask whether they use consistent substitute teachers familiar to the children, or agency temps who are strangers to your child’s classroom. Consistent backup staffing is a strong signal of operational quality.
Questions About Curriculum & Daily Life
10. What does a typical day look like for my child’s age group?
Ask for the actual daily schedule — not a brochure. You want to hear: wake-up and arrival routine, circle time, structured learning activity, outdoor play, meals, nap, arts/crafts. A center that can describe this in detail has a real curriculum. One that says “we just let kids play” for 8 hours is not providing early education.
11. How do you support children who are behind or ahead developmentally?
This question reveals whether teachers individualize their approach or use a one-size-fits-all curriculum. A quality center will describe how they identify children who need extra support and how they communicate that to parents.
12. How do you handle behavioral issues — specifically hitting, biting, or tantrums?
Toddlers bite. Preschoolers hit. Ask what the policy is and how it’s implemented. Look for: calm redirection, developmentally appropriate expectations, consistent boundaries, and parent communication. Any mention of punitive isolation or dismissive responses (“we just separate them”) is a yellow flag.
Questions About Health & Illness
13. What is your sick child policy — when do you send children home?
NJ DCF requires exclusion for children with fever (100.4°F+), vomiting, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, or certain communicable diseases. Ask specifically: What temperature triggers a call to parents? How long after a fever must a child be fever-free before returning? The policy should be in writing.
14. Are meals and snacks included — and what does a typical menu look like?
Ask to see the weekly menu. Look for balanced nutrition across food groups. Confirm whether meals are included in tuition or billed separately. Little Einstein’s Academy provides free catered breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks daily for most enrolled children — this is a meaningful cost savings for families.
15. How do you handle food allergies?
Ask about the allergy protocol: How is allergy information stored and shared with staff? What happens at mealtimes? Is there a nut-free policy? This matters especially for infants and toddlers who can’t self-report reactions.
Questions About Communication
16. How do you keep parents informed about their child’s day?
Look for: daily written or digital reports, a parent communication app (Brightwheel, HiMama, etc.), and an open-door policy for parents to visit or call. Vague answers like “we’ll call you if there’s a problem” are insufficient.
17. How often are parent-teacher conferences held?
Formal developmental check-ins should happen at minimum twice per year for toddlers and preschoolers, and more frequently for infants. Ask what the format is and whether developmental assessments are shared in writing.
Questions About Logistics & Cost
18. What are your hours — including early drop-off and late pickup policies?
Confirm the exact open and close times and ask what the late pickup fee is (most centers charge by the minute after closing). Little Einstein’s Academy is open Monday–Friday 7:00am–6:00pm at both Edison and Roselle locations, with no ambiguity on hours.
19. Do you accept NJ childcare subsidy vouchers (DFD CCAP)?
If you’re applying for or receiving NJ childcare assistance, your provider must accept subsidy vouchers. Confirm this before falling in love with a center. Little Einstein’s Academy accepts NJ DFD subsidy at both locations — contact us if you need help navigating the application.
20. What is your enrollment and withdrawal policy?
Ask: Is there a registration fee? What is the notice period required to withdraw without penalty? Is there a trial period? Can tuition be paused during vacations? Get the answers in writing before signing anything.
After the Tour: Your Gut Check
After every tour, ask yourself three questions:
1. Did the children look happy and engaged — or bored and unsupervised?
Trust what you saw, not what you were told.
2. Did the director answer every question directly — or deflect and generalize?
Confidence in operations = willingness to be specific.
3. Does your child seem comfortable in this environment?
If you brought your child along, their reaction is data.
Schedule a Tour at Little Einstein’s Academy
Little Einstein’s Academy serves families across Edison, Roselle, Metuchen, Woodbridge, South Plainfield, Roselle Park, Linden, Rahway, Clark, Cranford, and Elizabeth.
book a visit and get rates →
Two convenient locations:
- Edison: 334 Plainfield Ave, Edison, NJ 08817 | 732-985-4700
- Roselle: 528 E 2nd Ave, Roselle, NJ 07203 | 908-241-6200
Monday–Friday, 7:00am–6:00pm. NJ DCF licensed. Subsidy accepted. Free meals daily.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daycare Tours
How long should a daycare tour take?
Plan for 30–45 minutes minimum. A rushed 10-minute walkthrough doesn’t give you time to observe the classrooms, ask questions, or get a feel for daily operations.
Should I bring my child on the tour?
Yes if they’re old enough to have a reaction. Watch how staff interact with your child. Watch how your child responds to the environment.
What if the director can’t answer some of my questions?
That’s your answer. Directors of well-run centers know their operation in detail. Vague or evasive answers on basic questions like ratios, qualifications, or illness policies signal disorganization.
How many daycares should I tour before deciding?
Tour at least 3. Even if the first one seems perfect, having comparison points helps you evaluate whether it truly is.
Can I visit unannounced?
NJ state-licensed daycare centers cannot prohibit parent visits during operating hours. An “open door” policy is required. If a center discourages visits, that is a red flag.
What questions should I ask other parents?
Ask: How long has your child been here? Have you ever had concerns — and how were they handled? Would you recommend this center to a friend?
