Enrolling your child in daycare in Queens takes six steps: pick your needs, tour, apply, review the enrollment agreement, prepare health information, and plan the first day. Each step is simple on its own. Families get stuck when they do not know the order. This guide explains the order, and it uses the Baby Steps enrollment process as a real example.
Baby Steps Daycare & Preschool has three locations in Rego Park and Forest Hills. Each location has its own program, so the first step is choosing the right one for your child.
What are the steps to enroll a child in daycare?
The steps to enroll a child in a Queens daycare follow this order:
- Decide what care you need.
- Tour the programs you like.
- Submit the application.
- Read the enrollment agreement.
- Prepare your child’s health information.
- Plan the first day.
You can finish most of this in a few weeks. Start earlier if you want a specific location or schedule.
Step 1: What kind of care does my child need?
Start with your child’s age and your family’s schedule, because both decide which program fits. Baby Steps places children by age:
| Age | Program | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 24 months | Infant care | Alderton Street, Rego Park |
| Toddlers | Toddler education program | See the programs page |
| 2 to 5 years | Preschool and UPK | Forest Hills and Fleet Street |
Then check your schedule. Baby Steps offers full-day attendance five days a week or four days a week, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Pick the option that matches your work week.
If you are still deciding between a daycare and a preschool, read our guide to daycare vs. preschool. If you are weighing a nanny, read nanny vs. daycare.
Step 2: How do I tour a daycare?
Book a tour, then watch the classroom, not just the lobby. A tour tells you more than a website can. Plan to visit at a time when children are active, so you see the real day.
Bring this short list:
- Questions you want answered. Use our questions to ask a daycare provider.
- Your child’s age and needs. Tell the staff what your child enjoys and what worries you.
- Your schedule. Ask which attendance options fit your hours.
Watch three things during the tour:
- How teachers speak to children.
- How children move through the room.
- How clean and safe the space feels.
You can schedule an appointment online, or use the contact page. You can also call (718) 440-9919. Our tours are available Monday through Friday.
Step 3: How do I apply?
Complete the program’s online enrollment application. Baby Steps lets families request a tour online through its contact page or complete its online enrollment application. Many families do both in the same week.
Keep the application accurate. Use your child’s full legal name, your current address, and a phone number you check daily. Give clear emergency contacts, because the center will rely on them.
If your child is four and you want UPK, the city’s DOE has its own application process. Read our UPK guide for Queens parents for the difference between the DOE application and the program’s own paperwork.
Step 4: What is in the enrollment agreement?
The enrollment agreement is the center’s written policy and contract, and you should read all of it before you sign. Baby Steps posts its terms on the Enrollment and Tuition page. Parents return the downloadable Policy and Enrollment Agreement form on or before the child’s first day.
According to the Baby Steps agreement, these points are covered:
- Attendance options. Full-time five days a week, or four days a week, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- What tuition covers. Attendance, programs, educational instruction, supervision, educational materials, activities, and daily meals (two a day).
- What it does not cover. Trips outside the center, except a walk to the park when weather permits, plus hospital fees and medicine beyond standard emergency procedures.
- Emergencies. The center will take necessary precautions to keep a child in good health, including transport to an emergency room. Parents agree to cover the costs of medical care.
- Visits. Parents may visit at a scheduled time and watch their child, as long as the visit does not disturb the class.
- Changes. Parents must tell the center in writing about address, phone, or emergency contact changes within seven business days.
Read the payment terms with extra care. Our guide to daycare costs in Queens shows you which questions to ask about fees and absences. Rates are not posted online. Baby Steps asks families to call for current rates and fees.
Step 5: What health information do I need?
Prepare your child’s health information before the first day. The Baby Steps enrollment agreement asks parents to confirm that the child is in good physical condition, has been examined by a physician within the past six months, and can take part in the center’s educational and sports programs.
Schedule a pediatrician visit early if your child’s last exam was more than six months ago. Ask the center which other records it needs. Different programs ask for different paperwork, so confirm the list with the location you chose.
Ask one more thing at this step: how does the center handle illness? Our guide on when to keep your child home from daycare explains how to plan for sick days.
Step 6: How do I plan the first day?
Plan a short, calm first day, and keep the goodbye brief. Young children read your mood. A quick, warm goodbye helps them settle faster than a long one.
Use this first-week plan:
- Share the routine. Tell teachers about your child’s naps, meals, and comfort habits.
- Pack simply. Follow the center’s list and label every item.
- Say goodbye quickly. A short, confident goodbye works best.
- Keep the routine steady. Use the same morning routine every day that week.
- Check in at pickup. Ask the teacher how the day went.
Some children move into a new classroom after daycare. Our guide to the transition from daycare to preschool helps with that change.
Which Baby Steps location should I choose?
Choose the location that matches your child’s age first, then your commute. Baby Steps has three Queens locations:
- Alderton Street (Location I): 6607 Alderton Street, Rego Park. Infant care for ages 6 to 24 months. See the Rego Park infant care page.
- 76th Road (Location II): 112-18 76th Road, Forest Hills. Programs for ages 2 to 5. See the Forest Hills preschool and daycare page.
- Fleet Street (Location III): 64-11 Fleet Street, Rego Park. Programs for ages 2 to 5. See the Rego Park daycare page.
Walk or drive the route at your real drop-off time before you decide. A short, easy trip makes a daily routine easier to keep.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Avoid these four common mistakes when you enroll:
- Waiting too long. Popular programs and times fill up.
- Skipping the agreement. Read every page before you sign.
- Forgetting the first-day deadline. Return forms on or before your child’s first day.
- Comparing only price. Compare hours, approach, meals, and how comfortable you feel in the room.
If you are still choosing, our guide with tips on choosing the best daycare center in Queens walks through the whole decision.
Ready to enroll?
You can start today. Schedule an appointment to tour a Baby Steps location, or contact Baby Steps with questions. You can also call (718) 440-9919 or email babystepsny@gmail.com. We will help you choose the right program and walk you through each step.
