The 10 Questions Every Parent Should Ask When Choosing a School or Clinic for Their Child

Finding the right school, therapy program, or clinic for your child can feel overwhelming, especially when your child has recently been identified as having support needs related to their development or learning. I often hear parents share how stressed they feel trying to decide which program would best support their child and ‘wishing there was a list of questions to ask’.

If that feeling sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Choosing the right environment isn’t about finding the perfect program, it’s about finding the right fit for your child, your family, and your goals. To help make the process feel more manageable, here are 10 important questions parents can ask when interviewing schools, early intervention programs, or therapy clinics.

1. What experience do you have working with children my child’s age and developmental needs? Children develop at their own pace. Ask whether the program has experience supporting children with needs similar to your child’s and how they adapt their approach accordingly.
2. What does a typical day look like for a child in your program? Understanding daily routines can tell you a lot. Ask about structure, play opportunities, transitions, group activities, and one-on-one support.
3. How do you individualize goals for each child? Strong programs recognize that development is not one-size-fits-all. Ask how goals are created and how your child’s strengths, challenges, and family priorities are considered.
4. How do you support communication development? Communication looks different for every child. Ask how the program supports spoken language, gestures, play-based communication, social interaction, or alternative communication methods when needed.
5. How do you support emotional regulation and behavior? Ask how staff respond when a child is overwhelmed, frustrated, or dysregulated. Look for answers that emphasize teaching skills, understanding the “why” behind behaviors and creating a supportive environment.
6. What training and qualifications do your staff members have? It’s okay to ask who will be working with your child and how they are trained. Consistent staffing, supervision and ongoing professional development are important.
7. How do you involve parents and caregivers? Parents are a vital part of the team. Ask how often you’ll receive updates, whether caregivers are included in goal-setting, and how communication between home and the program is maintained.
8. How do you collaborate with other providers? If your child receives services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy, coordination matters. Ask how the program works with outside providers to support carryover and consistency.
9. How do you measure progress and share it with families? Ask how progress is tracked, how often goals are reviewed and how often information is shared with parents in a clear and meaningful way.
10. What does success look like in your program? This question can be very telling. Listen for answers that focus on growth, independence, confidence, communication and functional skills (not just checklists or timelines).

You are your child’s best advocate. This process can feel emotional and heavy, especially when you’re making decisions for a young child. Asking thoughtful questions can help you feel more informed and empowered. Remember, you know your child best, and the right program will welcome your questions and partner with you along the way. There is no single “right” path for every child. With the right support and a team that understands your family’s needs, meaningful progress is absolutely possible.

At C&FD, we understand that families may feel nervous or have a lot of questions when it comes to having their child participate in therapy. Therapists from each of our disciplines offer complimentary phone consultations for parents. These consultations can help families understand what to expect and determine what services and providers may be a good fit.