How to compare daycares in Newark, DE.

Questions to ask on every tour

Safety and licensing

• Is the center licensed by Delaware’s Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)? Ask to see the license and recent inspection results.
• What are the teacher-to-child ratios in your child’s room, and do they hold at drop-off and pickup?
• How do parents and approved adults get in the building, and who checks pickups?
• Are staff trained in CPR and First Aid?

Teachers

• How long has the lead teacher in your child’s room been there?
• Will your child have the same teachers most days?
• Who do you call with a question, and who picks up?

The day

• What curriculum does each room use, and what does a normal day look like?
• How much time do the kids spend outside, and where?
• Which meals are provided, and are they made on-site?
• How will you hear about naps, meals, and milestones during the day?

Cost and calendar

• What is the weekly rate for your child’s age, and what does it include?
• Are there registration, supply, or annual fees on top of tuition?
• How often do rates go up, and by how much?
• Which days is the center closed, and do you still pay for those weeks?
• Does the center accept Delaware Purchase of Care? Are there employer or sibling discounts?
• How much notice do you need to give if you leave?