100 Questions to Ask a Preschool (Free PDF)
This free PDF gives you 100 clear questions to ask when you visit a preschool or daycare. You can print it, save it on your phone, and use it to compare programs with less stress.
What this free download is
The "100 Questions to Ask a Preschool" PDF is a simple tour guide for parents and guardians. It helps you know what to ask before you choose a program for your child.
The questions are grouped by topic, so you do not have to think of everything on the spot. You can use it at a preschool tour, a daycare visit, a phone call, or even while comparing websites at home.
This page includes the PDF download for free. You do not need to pay to use the question list.
- Free printable PDF
- Easy to use on paper or on your phone
- Helpful for preschool, daycare, Pre-K, and similar early-childhood programs
What is inside the PDF
The list covers the main things most families want to know. That includes safety, teachers and staff, daily schedule, learning, language support, food, discipline, parent communication, hours, and costs.
Some questions are practical, like pickup rules, nap time, and what happens if a teacher is absent. Some help you understand the program style, like whether children learn through play, routines, small-group activities, or a Montessori approach. If you are still deciding what kind of program you want, you can also compare program types or read how to choose a preschool.
The PDF is meant to help you ask better questions. It does not rate programs or promise that one option is best. It gives you a strong starting point so you can notice differences between schools and child care programs.
- Questions about health and safety
- Questions about teacher-child ratios, meaning how many children each adult cares for
- Questions about language support, schedules, meals, behavior policies, and tuition
How to use it on a tour or at home
Before a visit, choose 10 to 15 questions that matter most to your family. For example, you may care most about hours, toilet training rules, home language support, outdoor play, or cost. If English is not your first language, it can help to highlight your top questions ahead of time.
During the tour, you do not need to ask all 100 questions. Use the list as a checklist. Write short notes next to each answer, or ask if you can take the sheet home and follow up later.
At home, compare your notes from different programs side by side. Circle what feels most important. If you want help getting options to compare, Cubby Road can match you for free based on what you are looking for. We are a free guide service. We do not run schools or child care programs.
You can also pair this PDF with our preschool tour checklist and questions to ask on a tour guide.
- Pick your top questions first
- Take notes in simple words
- Compare answers from more than one program if you can
Why this question list helps
A tour can move fast. Staff may show you classrooms, talk about schedules, and answer questions all at once. It is easy to forget what you wanted to ask, especially if you are busy, nervous, or speaking in your second language.
A written list helps you slow down and focus. It can also help two parents, grandparents, or other caregivers ask the same questions at different programs. That makes comparing easier later.
One family told us that having a printed list helped them notice important differences between two programs that looked similar at first. One had clearer pickup rules and better communication for multilingual families. The other had hours that fit their work schedule better. The list helped them choose based on their real needs.
It also helps you ask about things that are easy to miss, like waitlists, extra fees, sick policies, and teacher turnover. If money is part of your decision, our guide on help paying for preschool and costs may help too.
- Good for parents who want structure
- Helpful if more than one adult is comparing programs
- Makes it easier to remember details after the tour
A quick note about safety, licensing, and fit
This question list is a tool, not a promise about any program. Answers can sound good in a brochure or on a tour, but it is still important to visit in person, observe the classroom, and trust what you see.
Always verify the program's state license yourself. You can use our how to check a preschool license guide if you are not sure where to start. If a program says it is license-exempt, ask what that means in your state.
The best fit depends on your child, your schedule, your budget, and what matters most to your family. Some families want play-based learning. Some want a bilingual setting. Some need full-day care. There is not one right answer for everyone.
If you want help finding programs that may fit your needs, start here: Get matched, free.
Common questions
Do I need to ask all 100 questions?
No. Most families ask a smaller group first. Start with the questions that matter most to your schedule, budget, language needs, and comfort.
Is this PDF only for preschools?
No. You can also use it for daycare, child care centers, Pre-K, and other early-childhood programs.
Can Cubby Road tell me which program is safest or best?
No. Cubby Road is a free matching and guide service. We help families find options, but parents should visit in person and verify the state license themselves.
How do I download the PDF?
The PDF is downloadable on this page for free. You can print it or save it to your phone for your tour.