How to Choose the Right Daycare in Mesquite: A Parent's Checklist
Choosing who cares for your child while you work is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. After nearly 40 years of welcoming Mesquite families, we know exactly what a good center should be able to show you — so here is the checklist we encourage every parent to bring on a tour, including a tour of our own school.
1. Ask about the license — and the star rating
Every child care center in Texas must be licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Ask to see the license, then go one step further and ask whether the center participates in Texas Rising Star, the state's voluntary quality rating program. Participation means the center is measured against standards that go beyond the legal minimum.
2. Look at how teachers talk to children
Credentials matter — CPR and First Aid training, background checks, ongoing professional development — but so does warmth. On your tour, watch whether teachers kneel to a child's eye level, greet children by name, and narrate what's happening. That's what responsive caregiving looks like in practice.
3. Check the daily rhythm
A quality program balances structure and play. Ask for a sample daily schedule: you should see circle time, outdoor play, meals, rest, and free-choice play — not hours of screens or seat work. Ask what curriculum the center follows and how it's adapted for each age group.
4. Ask what — and how — children eat
Meals matter more than most parents expect. Ask whether meals are included, whether menus rotate, and how allergies are handled. (At Discovery School, wholesome meals are provided at no extra cost.)
5. Walk the playground
Look for shade, soft surfacing, age-separated play areas, and equipment in good repair. Turfed playgrounds drain faster after Texas storms and stay cleaner than dirt or mulch.
6. Ask about communication
How will you know how your child's day went? Daily reports, photos, and an open-door policy are all good signs. You should never feel like a visitor at your own child's school.
7. Trust your visit, not the brochure
Websites (even this one!) can only tell you so much. Visit at least two centers, bring your child, and notice how you both feel walking out. The right school will be happy to answer every question on this list.
Bring this checklist to our door — we'd love to walk you through every point in person. Call (972) 279-1202 or book a tour online.
Come see us in person
The best way to know if a school is right for your family is to visit it.