https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:31:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-569414 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:49:37 +0000 blackbird 569414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I called but they were all "oh just come sometime when we are open" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-569361 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:09:33 +0000 autumnlove 569361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I called in advance and most directors told me which days were good for them but we never made any set appointments! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-569355 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:08:08 +0000 Bluebonnet 569355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would call in advance. Yes, you get a better idea if you drop off unannounced, but if you drop in unannounced, they may not have enough staff to give you a tour. And if you tour at nap time, that isn't going to be as helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-569207 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:46:20 +0000 purrpletulips 569207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did some of both, most of the time DH would drop by unannounced and get an initial feel then we would schedule a formal tour. The place we ultimately went with said that if a center doesn't allow you to drop by unannounced you should be concerned. </p> <p>@sunny: all of the ones we toured had locked doors but had a doorbell and visitors log plus visitors had to be escorted around by a staff person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-569204 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:45:30 +0000 Mrsbells 569204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did both, i stopped by unannounced first and then later called and set up a proper appointment </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-569186 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:38:10 +0000 sunny 569186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most of the places we visited had locks on the doors so I don't think we could have stopped in unannounced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-569179 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:35:55 +0000 Bookish 569179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I called in advance but gave brownie points to those who said 'stop by anytime'! Made me feel like I was getting the nitty gritty tour, not the scheduled, sterile one, if that makes sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568895 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:56:14 +0000 matador84 568895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd drop in but plan on making an appt if needed while doing a drop in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568892 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:54:37 +0000 Alivoo01 568892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: Nope! We've called on about 5 places which include day cares and Montessori's and none have a waiting list yet for December/January enrollment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568847 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:38:25 +0000 Smurfette 568847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I set up appointments cause a lot will only do them on certain days and times. But some I felt like they didn't even know I had an appointment, more like I just dropped in and they didn't mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568801 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:18:18 +0000 regberadaisy 568801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would call and schedule. The unannounced visit I feel is better for a second visit after you narrow your list down.<br /> @lawbee11: the one I really wanted and is more sought after had a 9 month wait list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568798 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:16:13 +0000 lawbee11 568798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: Did any of the ones you called have a wait list?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568699 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:41:47 +0000 Freckles 568699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would call in advance. Some places only have "open houses" certain days of the week, and some places don't allow public access during naptime. But once you find out what their hours are like, i would do a quick drop by to see what things are like when they aren't expecting your visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568686 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:36:35 +0000 T.H.O.U. 568686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the idea of stopping by un-announced but some of the smaller centers actually have the front desk staff helping during busy times like meal time. They were happy to show me around but I didn't get all the details I needed. Also, one place, the room I was looking at for my DD was outside playing so I didn't get a good idea of how the kids acted inside. </p> <p>I think the best bet is to schedule appointments for your list of places. Once you have it narrowed down to 2-3, then stop but unannounced for a second visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568647 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:25:14 +0000 mediagirl 568647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I called ahead to make an appointment but every single place I called said I could stop in anytime I liked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568645 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:24:29 +0000 Boheme 568645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to audit child care centers for compliance, and the best way to do it is to drop in unannounced. When people know you're coming they tend to be on their best behavior ;) Even better if you pop by at a stressful time, say meal time or nap time, and see how they handle it. You can always schedule a second visit to ask the director all your questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568644 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:24:11 +0000 Alivoo01 568644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We called ahead because some places require appointments and some didn't. Plus, some places only give tours between a certain time frame (e.g. 10am and 4pm). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-touring-day-cares#post-568633 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:21:37 +0000 lawbee11 568633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I hope to start touring day care centers soon. When you went on tours, did you call ahead of time to schedule an appointment, or did you just show up? </p>