Most Surrey BC parents tour 2–3 licensed childcare centres and choose based on a vague feeling. That’s how families end up with a centre that looked fine at first but shows cracks within weeks. This 40-question checklist eliminates guesswork — use it at every tour and you’ll know exactly which centre to choose.
Before the Tour: Verify MCFD Licensing Online First
Before booking any tour, spend 5 minutes on the BC Community Care Facilities Registry (gov.bc.ca/CCFR). Search the centre by name or address. You want to see: Active licence (not suspended or cancelled). Correct licence category for your child’s age group. The most recent inspection report — specifically whether there were any non-compliance findings, and whether they were corrected. If a centre has recent ratio violations or safety non-compliances not yet corrected, don’t book the tour — cross it off your list.
Section 1: Licensing and Safety (10 Questions)
- ✅ Can I see the physical MCFD licence? (Should be displayed at entrance. Check expiry date and licensed capacity.)
- ✅ What was the date and outcome of your most recent MCFD inspection?
- ✅ Were there any non-compliances in the last two inspections? Were they corrected?
- ✅ Do all child-facing staff hold current BC CRRP (criminal record check) approvals?
- ✅ What is your emergency evacuation procedure? (Staff should answer without hesitation.)
- ✅ Where are emergency exits? How are children moved out?
- ✅ Are first aid kits current? How many staff hold current first aid certification?
- ✅ What is your policy for anaphylaxis/severe allergy emergencies? (Ask to see the written procedure.)
- ✅ Is the facility nut-free?
- ✅ How do you report a safety incident to parents? (Should be same-day, in writing.)
Section 2: Educator Qualifications (8 Questions)
- ✅ What percentage of your educators hold current BC ECE certification? (The answer should be 100%, not just the regulatory minimum.)
- ✅ Who would be my child’s primary educator in their room? (Can I meet them?)
- ✅ How long has that lead educator been in this room?
- ✅ What is your overall staff turnover rate in the last year?
- ✅ How many educators are in the [infant/toddler/preschool] room on a typical day?
- ✅ How do you maintain the ratio when an educator calls in sick?
- ✅ Do educators receive ongoing professional development? (How many hours per year?)
- ✅ How do educators handle challenging behaviour? (Listen for positive guidance language — redirection, emotion labelling, natural consequences. Any mention of time-outs for children under 3 is a concern.)
Section 3: Ratios and Environment (6 Questions)
- ✅ What is your actual maintained staff-to-child ratio in my child’s room? (BC minimums: 1:4 infant, 1:4 toddler, 1:8 preschool. Quality centres often exceed these.)
- ✅ What is the maximum group size in each room?
- ✅ Can I count the children and educators in each room right now? (A quality centre welcomes this.)
- ✅ What does the outdoor play space look like? (Ask to see it. Look for: safe surfacing, age-appropriate equipment, adequate space per child.)
- ✅ How much outdoor time do children get per day?
- ✅ What happens during rainy weather — do children still go outside?
Section 4: Program and Daily Schedule (6 Questions)
- ✅ Can I see a sample daily schedule for my child’s age group?
- ✅ What curriculum framework do you follow? (BC’s Early Learning Framework should be mentioned.)
- ✅ How do you approach kindergarten readiness for preschool-age children?
- ✅ How is screen time handled? (For children under 2, zero screen time is best practice. For 2–5, minimal and purposeful.)
- ✅ How do you handle sleep/nap for infants — individual cribs only, back-to-sleep?
- ✅ How is potty training handled for toddlers? (Should be collaborative with families, not punitive.)
Section 5: Communication and Parent Partnership (5 Questions)
- ✅ How do you communicate daily with parents? (Written app/daily sheet vs verbal only — written is better.)
- ✅ Can I call or message during the day to check on my child?
- ✅ How is a minor injury reported to parents? (Same-day written report is best practice.)
- ✅ How does the gradual transition process work for new children?
- ✅ What is your expulsion/withdrawal policy if the centre cannot meet a child’s needs?
Section 6: Fees and Contract (5 Questions)
- ✅ What is the total monthly fee, all-in? What is and isn’t included?
- ✅ What is the registration/deposit fee, and when is it refundable?
- ✅ What is your notice period to withdraw — and what is the late pickup fee?
- ✅ Are fees charged during BC statutory holidays and centre closures?
- ✅ Do you accept BC’s Child Care Subsidy (CCSS)? (Mini Minds: Yes.)
After the Tour: What to Observe and Decide
After leaving each tour, answer honestly: Did educators seem genuinely engaged with children, or distracted? Did children seem settled and content — or anxious, bored, or under-stimulated? Was the director forthcoming and confident, or evasive and sales-focused? Did the physical space feel welcoming and appropriately stimulating for the age group? Could you picture your child thriving there? Trust your instinct — but verify it against this checklist. The best choice is the one that scores highest on both measures.
Ready to tour Mini Minds Childcare in Newton, Surrey BC? Bring this checklist →