Is it licensed — and can I see the record?

In BC, licensed programs are inspected by the regional health authority (Vancouver Coastal Health for Richmond). Licensing means baseline standards for safety, ratios, and staff qualifications are being checked.

• Is this a licensed facility, or licence-not-required / registered?
• Can I see your licence and most recent inspection report? (These are public.)
• Have there been any recent incidents or follow-ups?

Who will actually be with my child?

Educator qualifications and consistency matter more than almost anything else. In BC, certification is tracked through the ECE Registry.

• Are staff certified Early Childhood Educators? Any Infant/Toddler or Special Needs specialists?
• Who leads my child's room, and how long have they been here?
• What's your staff turnover been like in the past year?

What are the ratios and group sizes?

Ask for the real numbers in your child's room, not just the legal minimum. Smaller groups and more adults generally mean more attention and calmer days.

• How many children and how many educators in my child's group?
• How are ratios kept during breaks, pickup, and outdoor time?

How do you keep children safe and healthy?

You want clear, calm answers here — not improvisation.

• What's your illness policy, and how are allergies and medications handled?
• What are your pickup, sign-in, and building-security practices?
• What are your emergency and evacuation plans? Sleep and supervision practices?

What does a typical day look like?

This is where a program's philosophy meets reality. Listen for a rhythm, not a rigid schedule or total free-for-all.

• How much outdoor and free-play time? What's your approach to screens?
• How do you guide behaviour and handle conflict between children?
• How do you support learning — and how do you know a child is thriving?

How do you include every child?

A good program adapts to the child in front of it.

• How do you support children with additional or diverse needs?
• How do you reflect different cultures, languages, and family structures?
• How are Indigenous perspectives part of your program?

What will it cost — and what help is available?

Fees vary widely. Frame these as questions to ask, since BC's affordability programs change over time.

• What are the monthly fees, and what's included (meals, supplies, field trips)?
• Do you take part in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative or $10 a Day ChildCareBC?
• Could we be eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit? (Your local Child Care Resource & Referral office can help you check.)
• What's the deposit, waitlist, and notice policy?

How will we communicate?

You're handing over a big part of your child's day. You should know how you'll stay in the loop.

• How do you share what happened each day? How do I raise a concern?
• How do you settle a new child in, and how are transitions handled?
• Can I visit or call during the day?

And while you're there — just watch.

Some of the best signals aren't answers to questions. Notice whether educators get down to the children's level and speak warmly; whether children seem relaxed and engaged; whether the space is cared for. If a place feels right and the people are responsive, that counts for a great deal. Trust that read alongside the checklist.