The Ultimate Guide to Touring a Daycare in Lakewood, Colorado

Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Enrolling

Choosing the right daycare in Lakewood, CO is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child. Whether you're looking for infant care, toddler programs, or preschool, touring a center is your opportunity to go beyond the brochure and truly understand the environment your child will be in every day.

But here’s the truth: Most parents aren't sure what to ask.

This guide will walk you through the top questions to ask when touring a daycare in Lakewood, plus insider tips to help you confidently choose the best fit for your family.

Why Touring Daycares in Lakewood Matters

Lakewood has a growing number of childcare options—but not all centers are created equal. Licensing requirements in Colorado ensure baseline safety, but quality, communication, and care philosophy vary widely.

A tour helps you evaluate:

• Teacher engagement

• Classroom staffing levels

• Cleanliness and safety practices

• Curriculum and daily structure

• Communication with parents

• Overall “feel” of the environment

Program & Curriculum

1. What does a typical day look like at your center?

   At Summit Academy, we design each day with purpose. Our schedule blends structured learning, meaningful play, outdoor time, and rest within a consistent routine that helps children feel secure while encouraging curiosity and growth.

2. How do you balance play and learning?

   At Summit Academy, learning is woven into every part of the day. Through guided play, hands-on activities, and purposeful interactions, we support each child’s development while preserving the joy and curiosity that make early childhood so important.

3. What curriculum do you follow?

   At Summit Academy, we follow a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum enriched with hands-on STEAM experiences and a blend of tri-lingual exposure in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL). Our program is thoughtfully designed for each age group—from sensory exploration for infants to problem-solving, creativity, and early academic foundations for preschoolers—while naturally introducing language through songs, conversation, and daily routines.

4. How do you support social-emotional development?

   We believe social-emotional development is foundational in early childhood. Through guided interactions, modeling, and consistent routines, our teachers help children build confidence, develop empathy, and learn how to communicate effectively with others.

5. How do you prepare children for kindergarten?

   At Summit Academy, our preschool program focuses on building independence, early literacy, foundational math skills, and confidence. Children are introduced to core concepts like letters, numbers, colors, and shapes through engaging, hands-on activities that make learning feel natural and fun. We prepare children both academically and socially so they feel ready for kindergarten—without rushing their development or losing the joy of learning.

Staffing & Ratios

6. What are your ratios?

   While we always meet Colorado state ratio requirements, we intentionally staff above minimum whenever possible and often have an additional teacher in the classroom to provide extra support. This helps create a calmer environment and allows teachers to be more responsive to each child’s needs.

7. What training do your teachers have?

   At Summit Academy, teacher quality begins with careful screening and continues through ongoing professional development. Every staff member completes comprehensive federal, state, and local background checks before hire. Teachers also complete annual required trainings, including CPR and Standard Precautions, while lead teachers meet Colorado’s Early Childhood Education requirements to lead classrooms with confidence and expertise.

8. How is your staff turnover?

   We understand how important consistency is in early childhood, which is why we prioritize building a strong, committed teaching team. By creating a positive work environment and supporting our staff professionally, we aim to provide children with stable relationships and familiar faces each day.

9. How do you ensure consistency of care?

   Consistency is an important part of helping children feel safe and confident. We create that through stable classroom placements, predictable daily routines, and familiar teachers who build trusted relationships with each child over time.

10. Are background checks completed?

    Yes, all staff meet Colorado licensing requirements, including comprehensive background checks.

Safety & Licensing

11. Are you licensed in Colorado?

    Yes, Summit Academy is fully licensed and meets all Colorado state childcare regulations. Our licensing ensures that every classroom meets strict safety, staffing, and educational standards, giving families peace of mind.

12. How do you handle emergencies?

    We have clear, comprehensive emergency protocols and conduct regular drills so our staff are fully prepared to respond quickly and effectively, ensuring the safety of every child in our care.

13. What is your illness policy?

    We follow all Colorado state licensing guidelines regarding illness in childcare. If a child shows signs of contagious symptoms they must stay home until fully recovered. Our staff monitors children closely during the day, and we communicate promptly with families if a child becomes ill. This ensures the safety and well-being of every child while minimizing the spread of illness within the classroom.

14. How do you report incidents?

    We communicate openly with families and maintain detailed documentation for any incidents. Transparency is key, and parents are always kept informed in a timely and professional manner.

15. Are classrooms secure?

    Yes, our facilities are designed with child safety as the top priority. The entire perimeter is locked, and entry is only possible through the main entrance, where families are greeted by our administrative staff. Classrooms have controlled access, ensuring that children remain in a safe and protected environment at all times.

Daily Care & Communication

16. How will I get updates during the day?

    At Summit Academy, we keep parents connected throughout the day using Brightwheel, our secure communication platform. You’ll receive real-time updates, photos, and notes about your child’s activities, meals, naps, and learning experiences—so you always know how your child is spending their day.

17. Do you provide meals and snacks?

    At Summit Academy, we provide snacks and milk for children to support healthy growth and development. Lunch is provided by parents, and infants bring their own food and milk to meet their individual needs. This approach ensures every child has nutritious options while accommodating family preferences and dietary requirements.

18. How do you handle naps and feeding?

    At Summit Academy, we follow each infant’s individual schedule, ensuring they get the rest they need while supporting consistent routines. For toddlers and preschoolers, we have a predictable rest period every afternoon. This balanced approach helps all children stay rested, comfortable, and ready to engage fully in learning and play throughout the day.

19. How do you support potty training?

    At Summit Academy, we partner closely with families to create a consistent and positive potty training experience. Teachers provide gentle guidance and encouragement, incorporating potty routines naturally into the child’s day. This helps children build independence and confidence at their own pace while maintaining consistency between home and school.

20. How do you handle behavior?

    We use positive guidance and redirection to help children learn appropriate behaviors. Our approach focuses on teaching empathy, problem-solving, and self-regulation in a supportive, respectful environment.

Environment & Experience

21. How much outdoor time do children get?

    At Summit Academy, children enjoy outdoor play twice a day—morning and afternoon—weather permitting. Outdoor time supports physical development, creativity, exploration, and helps children build a healthy connection to the world around them.

22. How do you keep classrooms clean?

    We maintain rigorous cleaning protocols throughout the day to ensure all classrooms are safe, hygienic, and healthy for children. Cleanliness is a top priority in every area of our center.

23. Can I visit anytime?

    We value strong parent partnerships and encourage open communication. While structured visits are ideal for safety and classroom flow, parents are always welcome to observe and engage with their child’s environment.

24. What makes your center different?

    At Summit Academy, we create an environment where children feel safe, seen, and inspired to learn. Our blend of small class sizes, tri-lingual programming, STEAM experiences, and highly engaged teachers ensures every child is supported academically, socially, and emotionally.

25. What does success look like here?

    Success at Summit Academy means your child is happy, confident, curious, building friendships, and developing skills that will set them up for lifelong learning. We measure success by the joy, engagement, and growth we see in each child every day.

Admissions Process

26. How do I join the waitlist?

    To add your child to our waitlist, start by scheduling a tour of the Summit Academy location of your choice. During your visit, you’ll explore classrooms, meet our educators, and see firsthand the engaging and supportive environment we provide. Once the tour is complete, your child will be added to the waitlist.

    https://www.thesummitacademy.co/contact

27. How do I enroll my child?

    Enrollment is designed to be easy and supportive. Once a space is confirmed, our team will guide you through the enrollment forms, schedules, and any necessary documentation so your child’s transition into Summit Academy is smooth and stress-free.

28. Are there spots available at any of your locations?

    We are currently welcoming families at our newest location, The Summit Academy – Jewell, with limited openings available. We encourage interested families to schedule a tour to experience our newly renovated school, meet our team, and begin the enrollment process.

    Availability varies by location. Once a program reaches capacity, families are placed on a first-come, first-served waitlist. After your visit, we’ll guide you through the next steps to secure placement based on current availability.