Your little ones are the most precious treasures you have, and as a parent, choosing the right childcare centre is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make. After all, you want your children to be in a nurturing and safe environment where they can learn and grow, but finding the perfect place can be overwhelming. However, don’t worry – we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll share some expert tips and tricks to help you make an informed decision and find the ideal childcare provider for your little ones.

Choosing the right childcare centre for your child

Here is a list of questions for you to carefully research and consider, which will hopefully help you on your way to finding the perfect centre for your family.

What type of care do you need?

The first step in choosing a childcare centre is to determine what type of care will best suit your family’s needs.

• Do you prefer a centre that offers long day care, occasional care, or a centre that offers more flexible hours?
• Is there a particular age group that you would like to focus on, or do you want your baby to be exposed to a range of ages?
• Are there any cultural or religious factors that you would like to consider?

Is the centre accredited?

Ensure that the childcare centre is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). This accreditation provides assurance that the centre meets national standards for quality in education and care.

What do other parents think of it?

Look for a childcare centre that has a good reputation in the local community. Ask other parents or carers in the area for their recommendations. Chat to parents in online parent groups or local mums and bubs groups, such as a playgroup or library sessions.

How much does it cost?

The cost of care is a huge consideration. Make sure you are aware of the fees associated with the centre and the availability of any government subsidies. Some have fees for late pick-ups. Check what they charge if you go on holiday or need to take your child out of care for any reason.

Narrow down your choices

When you have narrowed down your chosen providers to one or two, it’s time to visit the childcare centres. Talk to the staff, observe the environment, and ask the educators questions. This will give you a good indication of the quality of care and the level of education that the centre provides.

Ask questions

Once you have found a childcare centre that meets your family’s needs, arrange an interview with the director or manager.

During the interview, don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you like, including:

• What are the centre’s policies, practices and procedures?
• What is the educator to child ratio?
• What are the details of the staff’s qualifications, experience and training? Do they have current first-aid and SIDS training?
• What is their approach to sleep and settling? Is there a general schedule for everyone or is it child-led?
• Make sure you are comfortable with the centre’s approach to discipline and how they handle behavioural issues such as biting or hitting.
• How would they communicate with you about your child’s day? Is there an app or website?
• Ask about the centre’s procedures for responding to emergencies and how they communicate with parents.
• What’s a typical day like for a child, as in what activities do they do?
• Are the play and sleep areas sanitised regularly?
• If your baby is on solids, ask what the quality of the food is like, and what if they refuse to eat it.
• If applicable, is the centre supportive of you breastfeeding or bringing in expressed milk?
• What happens if a baby is crying or wants to be held?
• How do they support little ones who are distressed at drop-offs? Do they have any tips to help the transition?

Trust your instincts

Aside from all of the above investigations, you’ll most likely get a feel about the place. Don’t ignore that feeling if it doesn’t feel right. You’ll want to feel confident that you’ve chosen the perfect childcare centre for your special little person.

Some questions to ask yourself are:

• Does the centre seem too busy and chaotic?
• Is it clean or maybe too sterile?
• Do the staff seem friendly and supportive?
• Are little ones’ needs being responded to as much as possible?