In the wake of a tragic daycare death of a 2year old at the YWCA in New Britain, CT, I want to help parents advocate for their child and navigate the daycare hunting. How can I make sure the daycare I choose is truly safe for my child? This blog post will walk you through how to investigate licensed daycare centers in Connecticut using 211childcare.org. I will also provide a checklist of essential questions to ask when touring or interviewing a daycare.
Why This Post Matters: A Connecticut Daycare Tragedy That Hit Too Close to Home
On July 29, 2025, 2-year-old Saunti Reynolds tragically passed away after choking on food at a licensed daycare center at the YWCA in New Britain, CT. This heartbreaking event shook me to the core. The allegations, his mother’s tears- just unimaginable. It sparked me to be an advocate for parents.
As a Connecticut mom, I was deeply affected. So much so that I picked up the phone and called my kids’ daycare director the same day. I needed reassurance. Without defense, she welcomed my questions with openness and care.
Let me be very clear:
Any daycare that is offended by your questions is not the right daycare for your child.
Asking questions is not being “extra”—it’s how you advocate for your child. It’s your right.
How to Look Up Daycare Inspection Reports in Connecticut (Before You Enroll!)
If you’re a parent in Connecticut searching for a daycare center or summer program, do not skip this step:
Visit www.211childcare.org
This FREE state-run website lets you:
- ✅ Search licensed child care centers and home daycares
- ✅ View inspection reports and dates
- ✅ See whether the visit was announced or unannounced
- ✅ Review violations and correction plans
- ✅ Identify the state employee and daycare staff involved in each inspection
This is public information, and it can help you make informed decisions about one of the most important choices in your child’s early life.
Daycare Safety Checklist: Questions to Ask Before You Enroll
Don’t be shy, these questions are your parenting power tool. Save them, print them, and bring them to every daycare interview.
Parent Engagement engagement enhance school quality
1. Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- What is your emergency response protocol?
- Who is certified in CPR and First Aid?
- How do you prevent choking hazards?
- How are incidents communicated to parents?
2. Supervision & Staffing
- What’s your staff-to-child ratio by age group?
- How is staff trained and monitored?
- What is your staff turnover rate?
3. Daily Routines & Food Safety
- How are meals prepared and served?
- Are meals prepared at the center or catered ?
- How are food allergies handled?
- Are children ever left unattended?
- How many staff are supervising staff during meal times ?
4. Discipline & Behavior Management
- What’s your discipline policy?
- How do you handle aggressive behavior or tantrums?
5. Communication & Transparency
- Can I drop in unannounced?
- How often do I receive updates or reports?
- Can I review your most recent inspection report?
- How are parent concerns handled?
6. Health & Sanitation
- How often are toys, surfaces, and sleeping areas cleaned?
- What’s your sick child policy?
- Do you have an on-call nurse or health consultant?
- Is there a cleaning company and if so how open is the centered serviced? Deep Clean included?
My Personal Advice as a Mom
After hearing about Saunti’s passing, I needed to know that my children were safe. So I called our daycare’s director and asked the hard questions. She didn’t flinch. She gave thoughtful, detailed answers. Ask questions, give suggestions, volunteer to sit on their board if they have one, organize a daycare PTO of parents.
That’s how it should be. Daycares that care about your child won’t be defensive—they’ll be grateful for your engagement. High parent engagement enhances school quality and keeps staff on their P’s and Q’s.
If your questions make a provider uncomfortable or they dodge direct answers, that is a red flag. Trust your gut and keep looking.
Want a Free Printable Daycare Interview Checklist?
I’m creating a free downloadable PDF with all the questions in this post, plus bonus tips to help you stay organized while daycare hunting. If you’d like a copy, leave a comment or send me a message, and I’ll send it right over.
🕊️ In Memory of Saunti Reynolds
We keep talking, researching, and advocating because children like Asaunti Reynolds deserved to grow up safe and loved. We honor him by pushing for transparency, accountability in childcare and advocacy.
UPDATE
The family has now been able to lay their precious baby boy to rest. Please continue to support them by donating to the GoFundMe. Saunti’s mom will need all the love, resources, and time to heal and navigate life day by day.
The family has hired a lawyer.
Most importantly, the center remains closed following the incident.
Share This With a Friend
If you know a parent who’s currently looking for a daycare in Connecticut, share this post with them. Let’s support one another and keep our babies safe. When one mother cries we all cry.
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