Five Stars Isn't Enough

Look beyond the five stars. Choose with evidence.A five-star review, a welcoming tour, or a clean-looking room can make a daycare seem like the right choice. But none of them proves that a program is properly regulated, follows safe practices, or fits your child and family. Five Stars Isn't Enough gives parents a clear, practical way to look beyond first impressions and make a better-informed decision.Learn how to find official licensing records, review inspection reports, understand the limits of ratings and accreditation, and ask providers questions that invite specific, verifiable answers. Explore what to observe during a visit, from caregiver-child interactions and supervision to safe sleep, health procedures, and emergency plans. Get help comparing centers and family child care homes, understanding costs and contracts, and weighing real-world constraints such as waitlists, work schedules, budgets, and a child's additional support needs.The Isn't Enough Decision System guides you from first impressions to evidence, comparison, follow-up, and a documented enrollment decision.Inside, find practical tools for:* Checking licensing records and reviewing inspection findings* Preparing for visits and asking providers revealing questions* Comparing costs, contracts, and up to three providers* Tracking concerns and reassessing care after enrollmentNo checklist can guarantee safety, and not every family has perfect options. This guide helps you identify what you know, what still needs checking, and which concerns deserve action--so you can choose and reassess care with greater confidence.