You sound like a creep. Nobody will take you up on this. Also these people tend to come in while the kids are in a common room, perform and leave. They don't actually spend time in the classrooms watching day to day care.

So you think a half-a-day performer would be able to give you a well-informed day-to-day operation of the place, like how are the naps, feedings, sick policies, etc.? You're better off using that $50 buying yourself a good set o Gymboree clothes before they go bankrupt buddy.

You sound crazy. Find a licensed, accredited place. Read reviews. Go on a tour. Talk to other parents.

Best if you stay at home with your child, or maybe open your own daycare.

You sound paranoid trying to get the “dirt” on places. It goes far beyond normal reviews and talking to other parents. Sounds to me like you are looking for problems.

This is crazy. I know some music teachers and they would be totally creeped out by doing something like this. Nobody's going to take you up on your offer.

Yeah this is crazy. Ask for reviews, get a vibe for the place, tour, talk to current parents, ask about teacher retention.

They also mention your name to the daycare, so that they daycare knows to put you on the do not enroll list.

Here's a tip--find someone who goes into day cares regularly and ask them. These can be kid performers (magician or musician) or teachers like gym or music that visit several day cares. Find a performer that often visits the places you are interested in. (Look in the day care newsletters) Invite them to coffee and offer them $50 for their time. Then ask their opinions based on what they see.