A daycare tour is your single most important tool for evaluating childcare quality. What you observe in 45 minutes tells you more than any website, social post, or phone conversation. This guide covers exactly what to look for, what questions to ask, and the red flags that should make you walk away — specific to licensed infant and toddler care in Coquitlam BC.
Before the Tour: Verify the Basics Online
- Confirm the centre holds a current Fraser Health Community Care Facility Licence
- Check whether it is CCFRI-participating (saves ~$850/month — ask before booking if website doesn’t say)
- Confirm educator qualifications — staff in infant rooms should be ITE-certified
What to Observe During the Tour
| What You See | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| How educators greet children arriving | Attachment quality and warmth of primary educator relationship |
| How children respond to educators | Security and comfort — calm, settled children signal stable care |
| Ratio of adults to children (count them) | Confirms compliance — should be 1:4 maximum for infants/toddlers |
| Noise and activity level | Stimulating but not chaotic — infant rooms should feel calm and focused |
| Posted daily schedule | Structure that balances play, rest, feeding, and outdoor time |
| Outdoor space access | Daily outdoor play is BCELF-aligned and health-critical |
| Sleep environment | Individual cribs, appropriate bedding — BC safe sleep standards |
| Licence posted on wall | Required by law — if not visible, ask why |
Questions to Ask on the Tour
- “Who would be my child’s primary educator, and how long have they worked here?”
- “Are all educators in the infant room ITE-certified? Can I see their credentials?”
- “How do you communicate daily — what will I know about my child’s day?”
- “What happens if my child is sick or I’m running late for pickup?”
- “Can I see the most recent Fraser Health inspection report?”
- “How do you handle the settling-in period for new infants?”
- “Are you CCFRI-participating and ACCB-eligible?”
Red Flags During a Daycare Tour
- 🚩 Reluctance to show the licence or inspection report
- 🚩 Educators who don’t know the names of the children they’re caring for
- 🚩 Children who seem distressed, withdrawn, or inattentive — check current state AND staff response
- 🚩 Ratios higher than 1:4 for infants or toddlers
- 🚩 Vague or evasive answers about educator qualifications
- 🚩 No outdoor space or outdoor play schedule
- 🚩 Cannot confirm CCFRI participation — unlicensed or non-participating centres cost significantly more
Book a Tour at Smiling Kids Coquitlam
Smiling Kids Childcare Centre at 1380 Coast Meridian Road, North Coquitlam welcomes prospective families to tour the infant and toddler rooms, meet our ITE-certified educators, and review our Fraser Health inspection record. We’re CCFRI-participating and ACCB-eligible — and we’re happy to explain exactly what that means for your family’s costs.
📞 Call 604-600-4393 to schedule a tour. Currently accepting 2026–2027 waitlist registrations.
