The tour checklist
Eight questions to take on a tour. Each one is tied to a violation category that actually appears in state inspection records — print it and bring it along.
- 01Ask to see the most recent inspection report.
Providers are required to post it. 'Posted information' items are among the most common paperwork-class violations. - 02Count caregivers and children in one room.
Ratio and supervision items are the most common standard-class violations in most states' records. - 03Ask where medications are stored.
Medication storage is a recurring health-&-safety-class violation — it should be locked and out of reach. - 04Look at the playground surface under climbing equipment.
Fall-zone surfacing depth is a frequently cited standard-class item. - 05Ask how parents are notified after an incident or injury.
Incident-report documentation appears throughout violation records. - 06Ask about staff training and turnover.
Annual-training records are a common paperwork-class citation; the answer also tells you about stability. - 07Check the posted license and capacity.
The license must be current and displayed; compare capacity with what you see. - 08Read this program's file before you decide.
Inspection history, violations by class, and correction speed — dated and linked to the official record.