How to Choose a Daycare in Ann Arbor: A Parent Checklist

Choosing childcare is a big decision. You’re not just picking a place that watches your child. You’re choosing the adults, routines, and environment that will shape their days, their confidence, and their early learning.

If you’re searching for a daycare in Ann Arbor, this checklist will help you compare options clearly and confidently, so you can find the right fit for your family.

Start with the basics: safety, staffing, and trust

Before you fall in love with a cute classroom or an adorable art wall, make sure the fundamentals are solid:

• Licensing and policies: Ask whether the program is licensed and how they communicate policies (illness, pickup, safety).

• Staffing and supervision: Ask about teacher consistency, how long staff have been there, and how supervision works during transitions. (Meeting the people matters. Browse the Staff page if it’s available.)

• Cleanliness and health practices: Look for clear routines around handwashing, sanitizing, and what happens when a child feels unwell.

Look for a program that matches your child’s stage

The best daycare isn’t “one-size-fits-all.” It should match your child’s age and development.

• Ask what a typical day looks like for your child’s age group.

• Ask how they support naps, meals, transitions, and emotional needs.

• Ask how they handle common toddler realities like separation anxiety, big feelings, and conflicts.

A good overview of age ranges, routines, and how classrooms are structured should be easy to find on the Programs page.

Pay attention to the learning philosophy (and whether it’s real in practice)

Many centers say they support early learning. The question is how they do it.

Look for signs of learning through play:

• Open-ended materials (blocks, sensory bins, pretend play)

• Teachers asking questions and guiding exploration

• Activities that support language, motor skills, and social development

If you want to understand what play-based learning actually looks like day to day, the Curriculum page should explain the approach in plain language.

Ask about communication and parent partnership

For many families, peace of mind comes down to one thing: being kept in the loop.

Ask:

• How do they share daily updates?

• How do they communicate concerns or milestones?

• Do they offer conferences or structured check-ins?

You can also look for practical guidance and expectations on a resource page like Info for Parents.

Outdoor play and physical space

The environment matters more than most people think. It affects movement, sensory regulation, attention, and mood.

On your tour:

• Notice whether kids have room to move safely indoors

• Ask how often children go outside (and what happens in winter)

• Look for gross motor opportunities, not just “free time”

If the center highlights their environment, you’ll often see that reflected in pages like Approach or Activities.

A quick daycare tour checklist (bring this with you)

As you tour, scan for:

• Calm, engaged children (not “perfect,” just supported)

• Teachers down at child level, speaking kindly and clearly

• Smooth transitions between activities

• Organized classrooms with labeled materials

• A balance of structure and flexibility

• A clear plan for drop-off routines and new-child transitions

Red flags that should make you pause

No place is perfect, but these are signs to investigate further:

• Vague answers about policies, staffing, or supervision

• High staff turnover or “we’re short staffed” being normalized

• Overly rigid discipline language for toddlers

• Kids consistently wandering without support

• A tour that feels rushed, guarded, or unclear

Choosing with confidence

You’re allowed to ask detailed questions. You’re allowed to compare. And you’re allowed to choose the place that feels safe, supportive, and aligned with your values.

If you’re exploring a daycare in Ann Arbor and want a program built around nurturing care and meaningful early learning, we’d love to meet you. Visit our website to explore our programs, and reach out to schedule a tour.

Related reading:

• Daycare Tour Questions: What to Ask (and What to Look For)

• Daycare vs Preschool: What’s the Difference (and What’s Right for Your Child?)

• How Squiggle Room Supports Working Parents with Flexible Childcare Options