7 Tips for Choosing a Daycare in Texas (and Red Flags to Watch For)

Expert advice from a daycare reporter on what Texas parents should look for when selecting a child care provider. From licensing and safety to curriculum and caregiver qualifications, here are 7 key tips to ensure you find a trustworthy, high-quality daycare for your little one in Texas.

1. Verify Licensing and Compliance – Always confirm that a daycare is licensed by the state of Texas. Licensed facilities must meet basic health, safety, and caregiver training standards. Ask to see the center’s Texas license certificate and recent inspection report (they’re required to display these). You can also look up the provider in the Texas Child Care Licensing online database to check for any violations. Licensing is crucial because regulated child care programs undergo background checks for all staff and must follow strict ratios and safety rules – giving you a baseline of trust[17]. If a provider tells you they “don’t need a license” (except for small in-home care with only 1-3 unrelated children, which is the only exemption), consider that a red flag. In Texas, even home-based daycares caring for 4+ children should be licensed or registered. A license isn’t a guarantee of perfection, but it does mean oversight. Steer clear of unlicensed “under the table” daycare arrangements, as they lack any external monitoring.

2. Tour the Facility and Assess Safety – Visit the daycare in person to evaluate its environment. Check that the facility is clean, childproofed, and safe. Floors, toys, and play areas should be reasonably clean (expect some mess with kids, but not hazards or filth). Look for covered outlets, baby gates on stairs, locked cabinets for any chemicals, and a secure entrance/exit system. Outdoor play areas should be fenced and equipment should be in good repair. During your tour, observe how caregivers supervise children – are they attentive and within arm’s reach of active toddlers? Notice if there are any obvious safety issues like broken toys, unsafe cribs, or overcrowding. Texas licensing standards set specific safety requirements (for example, infants must always be put to sleep on their backs in cribs with no loose bedding, and centers must have fire drills monthly). Don’t hesitate to ask about the daycare’s emergency plans (for injuries, allergies, fires, even Texas-specific events like tornadoes or hurricanes depending on region). A quality daycare will proudly explain their safety protocols and show you their first aid supplies, evacuation cribs, etc. Trust your instincts: if you feel uneasy about safety or notice constant chaos with children unattended – walk away.

3. Observe Caregiver-Child Interactions – The heart of any daycare is its teachers and caregivers. Pay close attention to how staff interact with the children. Are they warm, patient, and engaged? Do they get down to the child’s eye level to talk, use gentle tones, and seem genuinely interested in the kids? Positive, responsive interaction is key for your child’s emotional well-being. Also ask about caregiver qualifications and tenure. What training do teachers have? (Many good centers require CPR/first aid, plus child development courses or even CDA certifications or degrees for lead teachers.) What’s the staff turnover rate? A center where the teachers have been there for years and plan to stay indicates a stable, happy environment for staff and kids alike. By Texas minimum standards, lead teachers must be adults (18+), pass background checks, and have certain training, but high-quality programs often exceed this – employing experienced caregivers who truly view child care as their profession. Low turnover means your child can bond with consistent caregivers rather than coping with a revolving door of new teachers.

Also consider the child-to-teacher ratio. Texas allows one caregiver per 4 infants, 5 toddlers (18 months), 9 two-year-olds, or 11 four-year-olds, for example. Lower ratios are better for individual attention. If you see one adult scrambling to manage a dozen two-year-olds, that’s concerning (and likely against ratio rules). Ideally, find a program that keeps class sizes small and well-staffed. Quality centers often voluntarily operate with ratios even tighter than the state maximum.

4. Evaluate the Learning Environment and Activities – A great daycare isn’t just a babysitting service; it should provide a nurturing learning environment. Look at the classroom setup and daily schedule. Are there plenty of age-appropriate toys, books, art supplies, and learning materials? For infants, is there a clean, cozy area for tummy time and exploration? For toddlers and preschoolers, you should see various activity centers (like blocks, pretend play, reading nook, art table) that stimulate different skills. Ask for a copy of the daily routine or lesson plan. Do they have circle time, stories, outdoor play, crafts, etc.? Children learn through play, so there should be a balance of free play and guided activities. Curriculum can be formal (some Texas daycares use proven curricula like Frog Street or Montessori methods) or informal, but caregivers should be engaging the kids in songs, games, and developmental activities each day.

In Texas, there’s no one set curriculum requirement, but many providers participate in Texas Rising Star or accreditation programs that encourage strong early learning practices. If you have specific priorities – e.g. you want your child exposed to Spanish language, or a faith-based curriculum, or a STEM-focused program – seek out centers that offer those. The key is that your child will be active and learning, not plopped in front of a screen or left idle too long. Texas licensing actually limits screen time for kids under 2 completely, and for older kids to short, educational use – so a daycare should not be relying on TV/videos except maybe an occasional special movie time. An enriching daycare will have your child coming home with new songs, artwork, and things they learned about, which is a great sign.

5. Check Policies on Health, Discipline, and Communication – Request the parent handbook or ask about the daycare’s policies on important topics. How do they handle behavior and discipline? (Texas prohibits any corporal punishment in licensed daycares – discipline should be limited to redirection, gentle guidance, time-outs if used at all, etc.) Make sure their philosophy aligns with yours. For example, if they mention “timeout chair for 1-year-olds,” that’s not developmentally appropriate – a quality program will use positive methods and age-appropriate limits.

What is their sick child policy? It should spell out when they will send a child home (e.g. fever over 100.4°F, vomiting, etc.) and require up-to-date immunizations for all enrolled children (Texas does allow exemptions for vaccines in schools/daycares but many centers will inform you of their vaccination rates). Inquire how they handle naps (safe sleep practices for infants are a must – always on the back in a crib) and meals/snacks (do they provide food, and can they accommodate allergies or special diets?). If your child has allergies, you’ll want to see their plan (like posting allergy lists and using epinephrine injectors if needed).

Communication is another big one: ask how the daycare will communicate with you as a parent. Will you get daily reports or photos? Can you call and check on your child anytime? Is there a parent-teacher conference or developmental report provided periodically? The more transparent and communicative, the better. Some Texas daycares use apps where you get real-time updates on naps, diaper changes, etc. – others may simply chat at pickup. Ensure you’re comfortable with the level of insight you’ll have into your child’s day.

6. Consider Practical Factors: Location, Hours, and Cost – While quality and safety are paramount, the practical logistics matter too. Is the daycare in a convenient location relative to your home or work? Remember, traffic in Texas cities can be intense, so a center that’s open 6:30am-6:00pm might still be tough if you have a long commute. Check the hours of operation and their late pickup policy (most charge fees per minute if you’re late). Make sure their schedule aligns with yours – some may close earlier on Fridays or have holidays you might not have off.

Cost is obviously a factor – you need to find care within your budget. When comparing costs, note what’s included: Does the rate include meals, diapers, wipes, etc., or are those extra? Are there additional fees (registration fee, annual supply fee, field trip fees for older kids)? A slightly pricier daycare that provides all meals and supplies might end up equal to a cheaper one where you bring everything. If you’re eligible for Texas CCS subsidies, confirm the daycare accepts them. Many Texas daycares do accept child care subsidies (and may even help you with the application process). Some church-affiliated or non-profit centers offer sliding scale fees or scholarships – don’t be afraid to ask. Also verify the payment and refund policies: e.g., if you pay monthly and decide to leave, will they refund unused weeks? Know the notice period for withdrawal to avoid penalties.

7. Trust Your Instincts and Your Child’s Reactions – After you’ve done all the above due diligence, it often comes down to a gut feeling. Pay attention to how you feel about the place and how your child responds. If during a visit your typically shy child happily engages with a caregiver or explores the room with interest, that’s a great sign. Conversely, if you feel uneasy – maybe the director seemed dismissive of your questions, or the children on site looked unusually unhappy or unattended – don’t ignore that. Even highly rated centers might not be the right “fit” for every family. You know your child and your values best. A daycare could check all the boxes on paper but still not feel right – maybe the vibe is too strict, or too chaotic, or not warm enough. It’s okay to keep looking.

Also, do a quick reference check: talk to a couple of parents who send their kids there. If their experiences align with what the center claims and what you observed, fantastic. If you hear any serious concerns, weigh those heavily. Remember, no daycare will be perfect all the time – kids will get the occasional scrape, or a miscommunication can happen – but you want a place with a good overall track record of caring, professionalism, and reliability.

In summary, choosing a daycare in Texas requires balancing safety, quality, convenience, and cost considerations. By verifying licenses, observing carefully, asking the right questions, and listening to your intuition, you can find a child care provider that you feel confident about. When you ultimately see your child happy to arrive at daycare, bonding with caregivers, and thriving in their little community, you’ll know you made the right choice. And if any red flags pop up after enrollment (e.g., unexplained injuries, dramatic staff turnover, gut feeling something’s off), don’t hesitate to address it or make a change. Your child’s well-being is the top priority.

Sources: New York OCFS guide (parallels on background checks/ratios applicable to Texas)[17]; Texas Rising Star quality standards[7].