Choosing where your child spends their days is one of the hardest decisions a Philadelphia parent makes. A website and a phone call only tell you so much. The tour is where the truth shows up.

Most families walk a center, feel a vague sense of nice or not for us, and leave without the information they actually needed. The fix is simple. Walk in with a short list of pointed questions, then listen closely to how each one is answered.

Here are the ten questions worth asking on every daycare tour in Philadelphia.

1. What are your teacher-to-child ratios?

Pennsylvania sets minimums of 1:4 for infants, 1:5 for young toddlers, and 1:10 for older preschoolers. A minimum is a floor, not a goal. Ask for the real numbers in each room. Lower ratios mean your child is held, seen, and spoken to more often. At ENLA Learning we hold 1:3 for infants, 1:4 for toddlers, and 1:8 for preschool, well below the state floor.

2. How long have your educators been here?

Turnover is the quiet signal nobody volunteers. Young children attach to specific adults. When teachers cycle out every few months, those attachments break and start over. Ask how long the lead teacher in your child's room has been on staff.

3. Walk me through a normal day.

You want rhythm, not a rigid clock. Listen for long uninterrupted blocks of play and learning, time outdoors, real meals, and rest. A day chopped into ten short activities usually means children are being managed, not taught.

4. What is your approach to discipline?

The answer tells you the whole philosophy. Look for language about redirection, naming feelings, and natural consequences. Be cautious of centers that lean on time-outs, rewards, and punishment as the first tool. Calm is leadership, and it should be visible in how adults speak to children.

5. What happens when a child is sick?

Ask for the written policy. When must a child stay home, when can they return, and how are parents notified. A clear, consistent health policy protects every family in the building, including yours.

6. How do you handle food and allergies?

Philadelphia centers vary widely here. Ask whether the center is nut-free, how many snacks are served, and whether parents pack meals. ENLA Learning is nut-free, serves two snacks a day, and has families pack their child's meals so you stay in control of what your child eats.

7. How do you keep the building secure?

Ask about entry access, sign-in and sign-out, and who is allowed to pick up your child. You should feel the security the moment you walk in, not have to ask twice about it.

8. What is the actual curriculum?

Push past the brochure word. Ask what a teacher does when a two-year-old becomes obsessed with pouring water, or when a four-year-old wants to write her name. The answer reveals whether the program follows the child or follows a worksheet. Our program is Montessori-inspired, built on long work cycles and hands-on materials. Learn more in our guide to Montessori versus traditional daycare.

9. How will I know what happened today?

You are handing over your child for ten hours. Ask how the center communicates: daily notes, photos, an app, a real conversation at pickup. Strong centers tell you about the small moments, not just the incidents.

10. What happens at drop-off when my child cries?

Separation is normal, and how a team handles it says everything. You want warmth and a steady routine, not a rushed handoff or a guilt trip. A good educator helps your child feel safe, then helps you walk out the door.

Bring this list with you

You do not need to ask all ten in order. Pick the five that matter most to your family and pay attention to how freely the answers come. Hesitation is information. So is a team that answers plainly and invites you to ask more.

For a deeper framework, read our parent checklist for choosing a daycare in Philadelphia and our complete guide to daycare in Fishtown.

ENLA Learning opens its new Fishtown center at 1942 N Front Street on July 6, 2026, one block from the Berks SEPTA station. We are now enrolling infants and toddlers for 2026 and 2027. Book a private tour and bring your questions. We are educators, not babysitters, and we are glad to answer every one.