Choosing childcare is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your child’s early years, and a centre tour is your best chance to get a real feel for a place. Walking in with a few good questions helps you look past the bright paint and see how children actually spend their days. Here is what we suggest asking, from babies through to kinder.
Choosing childcare: do a little homework first
Every approved service in Australia is assessed against the National Quality Standard, which covers areas such as educational program, children’s health and safety, the physical environment, staffing, relationships with children and partnerships with families. You can look up any service’s current quality rating on StartingBlocks.gov.au, a website run by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). It also lets you compare inclusions, vacancies and other details in one place.
Jot down what matters most to your family before you go. Hours, location, rooms for each age group and how food is handled are good starting points.
Questions to ask about learning and play
A good centre will be happy to talk about how children learn, not just what activities are on the wall. Try asking:
- What approach or framework guides your program, and what does that look like in an ordinary day?
- How do educators plan around my child’s interests and stage of development?
- How much time do children spend playing outdoors, and what is out there for them?
- Who leads the kinder program, and what qualifications do they hold?
- How do you prepare older children for the move to school?
Listen for answers that describe real children and real moments. That usually means the team knows the program well.
Questions about routines, food and care
Daily routines make a big difference to how settled your child feels. Ask how sleep and rest work in each room, and whether the centre can follow the routine you already use at home for a baby. Ask who prepares meals, what a typical menu includes and how allergies and dietary needs are managed.
It is also worth asking what is supplied and what you need to pack each day. Things like nappies, linen, sunscreen and meals vary from service to service, and knowing up front saves a lot of morning stress.
Questions about communication and settling in
You want to feel connected to your child’s day, even when you are at work. Good questions include:
- How will I hear about my child’s day, meals, sleep and learning?
- How do educators share concerns or celebrate milestones with families?
- What does orientation look like, and can my child visit before starting?
- How do you support a child who finds goodbyes hard?
Trust what you see and feel
Answers matter, but so does the feeling in the room. Notice whether educators get down to children’s level, whether children seem relaxed and busy, and whether the spaces look loved and well used. If you can, visit at different times of day. A calm, warm atmosphere during a busy morning tells you a lot.
Take notes after each tour while it is fresh, and do not be afraid to ring back with follow-up questions. A centre that welcomes your questions is usually one that welcomes families.
Come and see Nest for yourself
We love showing families around our purpose-built centre in Keysborough. You will see our long day care rooms for children from 6 weeks to school age, meet our educators and hear how our Reggio Emilia-inspired program works day to day. Bring your list of questions. We are always happy to answer them, and to walk you through our orientation sessions so your child can start with confidence. Get in touch to book a tour, or call us on 03 9969 7057.
