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Daycare Tour Checklist for Etobicoke Parents

Use this checklist on every tour. Consistency is key. Asking the same questions at each centre helps you compare fairly.

Preparation

Before the tour

Arrive prepared. Knowing what you need helps you ask the right questions.

Confirm Logistics

  • Location and parking/transit options
  • Tour duration (typically 30-60 minutes)
  • Who will conduct the tour (director, educator, admin?)
  • Whether you'll see the actual room your child would be in

What to Know Ahead of Time

  • Your child's age group (infant, toddler, preschool)
  • Start date needed
  • Schedule requirements (full-time, part-time, specific days)
  • Budget constraints and CWELCC/subsidy status
During Your Visit

What to observe

These signals often matter more than the answers to your questions.

Room Energy

Look for

Calm, engaged atmosphere. Children playing purposefully. Background noise, not chaos.

Red flag

Constant crying, children wandering aimlessly, educators raising voices frequently.

Educator Presence

Look for

Adults at child level, making eye contact, actively engaged in play or conversation.

Red flag

Educators clustered together talking, on phones, or stuck doing paperwork while children play unsupervised.

Transitions

Look for

Children know what comes next. Smooth flow between activities. Warnings before changes.

Red flag

Abrupt transitions, children confused or upset, rushed feeling.

Physical Environment

Look for

Clean, organized, age-appropriate. Materials accessible to children. Purposeful arrangement of spaces.

Red flag

Cluttered, dirty, broken equipment, plastic chaos without intention.

Warmth and Connection

Look for

Genuine affection. Comfort offered readily. Conflicts handled gently. Children seeking out educators for connection.

Red flag

Dismissive responses to children's needs, harsh tones, children avoiding adults.

Children's Behavior

Look for

Happy, curious, engaged. Comfortable approaching educators. Playing cooperatively (age-appropriate).

Red flag

Widespread distress, aggression, or apathy.

Trust Your Instincts

The flags

Red flags warrant caution and follow-up.
Green flags signal quality worth noting.

Green Flags

Signs of quality care

  • Educators greet you warmly and seem genuinely happy to be there
  • Children run to show educators things or seek them for comfort
  • Specific, concrete answers about curriculum, schedule, and communication
  • Low turnover with educators who've been there for years
  • Transparent about challenges (“We're working on improving X”)
  • They ask questions about your child such as interests, temperament, needs.

Red Flags

Worth asking follow-up questions

  • Vague answers about daily schedule, ratios, or enrichment
  • High recent turnover with unclear explanations
  • Reluctance to show you the actual room your child would be in
  • Educators who seem stressed, exhausted, or checked out
  • Facilities that feel run-down or poorly maintained
  • No questions asked about your child Good programs want to know who they enroll.
Your Tour Companion

The checklist

Print this checklist. Ask the same questions at every centre.

Daycare Tour Checklist

Etobicoke Parent Guide

Centre Name
Date
Tour Guide

1. Daily Rhythm & Schedule

  • “Walk me through a typical day, hour by hour.”
  • “How often do children go outside? Where?”
  • “What does rest/quiet time look like?”
  • “How do you handle transitions between activities?”
Notes:

2. Staffing & Ratios

  • “What are your actual ratios? (Ontario minimums: 1:3 infant, 1:5 toddler, 1:8 preschool)”
  • “How many educators are in this room? Any floaters or assistants?”
  • “How do you handle coverage for breaks, illness, and vacation?”
  • “How much break time do educators have each day?”
  • “How much lesson preparation time do educators have each day?”
  • “What happens when multiple children need support at the same time?”
Notes:

3. Educator Stability & Qualifications

  • “How long have the educators in this room been here?”
  • “What's your typical staff turnover? What percentage of your staff has been here for over 2 years, 5 years?”
  • “How many staff are RECEs vs. assistants?”
  • “How do you support children when a teacher leaves?”
  • “How do you onboard new educators? What does their training involve?”
Notes:

4. Learning & Enrichment

  • “What enrichment happens every day, no matter what?”
  • “Do you have any specialists (music, movement, art, French)?”
  • “How do you support language development and early literacy?”
  • “Can you show me examples of recent learning activities or projects?”
  • “What curriculum framework do you follow, if any?”
Notes:

5. Communication with Families

  • “How will I know what my child did today? (App, paper report, verbal?)”
  • “How often do you share photos or updates?”
  • “How do you communicate developmental progress over time?”
  • “How do you handle concerns or feedback from parents?”
  • “Are there parent-teacher meetings?”
Notes:

6. Health, Meals & Routines

  • “What meals and snacks are provided? How do you handle allergies?”
  • “How do you handle illness? What's your sick policy?”
  • “How do you approach toileting/potty training?”
  • “How do you handle sleep routines and comfort objects?”
  • “What's your approach to sunscreen, outdoor clothing, etc.?”
Notes:

7. Logistics & Policies

  • “What are your hours? (Drop-off window, pickup deadline, late fees?)”
  • “What's the fee? Is this centre enrolled in CWELCC?”
  • “Is there a waitlist? How long?”
  • “What's required to secure a spot? (Deposit, registration fee?)”
  • “What's your vacation/holiday closure schedule?”
  • “What's your notice period for withdrawal?”
Notes:

8. Fit & Values

  • “What kinds of families thrive here?”
  • “What would make this program NOT a good fit for a family?”
  • “What are you most proud of about this program?”
  • “What's one thing you're working to improve?”
Notes:

Overall Impressions

Energy (calm/engaged vs. chaotic):
Educator presence (interactive vs. administrative):
Physical environment (clean, organized, purposeful?):
Warmth observed (genuine connection with children?):
Gut feeling:
Would I feel comfortable leaving my child here?
Apples to Apples

Comparing CWELCC vs. private programs

Use the same checklist for both types. Quality varies within both categories.

Curriculum & Learning

  • • Named philosophy (Whole Child, Reggio, Montessori) vs. unspecified approach
  • • Documentation of learning (portfolios, progress photos)
  • • Kindergarten readiness programming

Staff Investment & Tenure

  • • Tenure, turnover rates, and team consistency
  • • Percentage of RECEs vs. assistants
  • • Staff compensation and benefits
  • • Ratios above Ontario minimums

Enrichment Depth

  • • Daily specialists vs. occasional visitors
  • • Certified instructors vs. staff-led
  • • Integrated into curriculum vs. add-on
  • • Variety of offerings (music, art, languages, movement)

Meals & Nutrition

  • • Fresh, local, or organic sourcing
  • • Menu variety and ingredient quality
  • • Allergen-friendly and dietary accommodations
  • • On-site chef vs. catered meals

Environment Quality

  • • Chaotic vs. calm, zen atmosphere
  • • Natural materials vs. plastic
  • • Outdoor space and nature access
  • • Aesthetics, cleanliness, and design

Individualization

  • • Individual learning plans
  • • Recognition of developmental pace
  • • Support for different learning styles
  • • Regular progress updates and parent involvement

The funding model should not change what you observe and ask.

Remember this when comparing programs.

Continue reading

About CWELCC

How the subsidy program works

CWELCC vs. Private

Compare both funding models

Ready to tour an uncompromising option?

Compare a standard daycare with an all-inclusive private early education alternative.

Book a Tour at The Little Campus