25+ questions to ask a childcare centre before enrolling

1. educational program and practice

this is about how the centre plans learning and whether it's intentional or just "keeping kids busy." Australia's approved learning frameworks (the EYLF and MTOP) guide what quality programming looks like.

• "what curriculum or learning framework do you follow?" — you want to hear about the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) or a recognised approach like Reggio Emilia or Montessori. vague answers like "we just let them play" suggest the program may not be intentional
• "how do you document children's learning?" — look for specific methods: portfolios, learning stories, a digital app like Storypark or Xplor. documentation shows educators are observing, reflecting, and planning — not just supervising
• "how are individual children's interests incorporated into the program?" — a quality centre should be able to give you a current example. "the toddlers are really into construction right now, so we've set up..." is a great answer
• "how do you support children with additional needs or developmental delays?" — even if your child doesn't have additional needs now, this answer tells you about the centre's inclusiveness and how they respond when a child needs extra support

2. health and safety

the practical stuff that keeps children safe day to day. these questions are especially important if your child has allergies or medical needs.

• "what is your sick child policy?" — find out the specific exclusion periods for common illnesses. how quickly do they contact you? what happens if your child develops symptoms during the day? you don't want surprises when you get the call at 10am
• "how do you manage allergies and dietary requirements?" — if your child has an allergy, this is critical. ask about epipen training, how meals are handled for allergy children, and whether the kitchen is nut-free or just nut-aware
• "what is your sun protection policy?" — a quality centre applies sunscreen before outdoor play, requires hats, and limits outdoor time during peak UV hours. ask who applies sunscreen and how often it's reapplied
• "what are your nappy changing and toileting procedures?" — this matters for hygiene and dignity. educators should be engaging with the child during nappy changes, not just going through the motions. for toilet training, ask how they coordinate with families

3. physical environment

the spaces your child will spend their days in. don't just look at the shiny reception area — ask to see the rooms and outdoor spaces during normal activities.

• "how much outdoor time do children get each day?" — there's no national minimum for outdoor time, which means some centres barely go outside. look for at least two solid outdoor sessions per day, weather permitting. ask what happens on rainy days too
• "what are the sleeping arrangements?" — for babies and toddlers, ask about safe sleeping practices, cot-to-bed transition, and whether they follow red nose guidelines. for older children, ask about the rest/quiet time policy and whether children are forced to sleep
• "what meals and snacks are provided, and what do I need to bring?" — some centres provide all meals, others expect packed lunches. if meals are provided, ask to see the menu. check whether fruit, morning tea, and afternoon tea are included or extra. this significantly affects the true cost

4. staffing arrangements

the people looking after your child matter more than the building. staffing stability and qualifications are strong indicators of quality.

• "what is your staff retention rate?" — high turnover is one of the biggest red flags in childcare. if most educators have been there less than a year, that suggests problems with pay, culture, or management. consistency of caregivers is crucial for young children
• "what qualifications do your educators hold?" — regulations require a mix of Certificate III, Diploma, and degree-qualified educators. ask what percentage hold a Diploma or above. centres that invest in ongoing professional development tend to have better programs
• "how much do you rely on casual or agency staff?" — every centre uses casuals sometimes, but heavy reliance on agency staff means your child sees unfamiliar faces regularly. ask how they manage staff absences and whether casuals are consistent (the same people coming back)
• "do you staff above the minimum ratios?" — the legal minimums (1:4 for babies, 1:5 for toddlers, 1:11 for preschool) are just that — minimums. quality centres often staff above ratio, especially during transitions, mealtimes, and outdoor play

5. relationships with children

how the centre builds trust and supports emotional development. these questions are especially relevant if it's your child's first time in care.

• "what does the settling-in process look like?" — a quality centre offers orientation visits where you stay with your child, then gradually extend the time apart. ask how many settling visits are included and whether there's a cost. rushing this process is never a good sign
• "how do you support children with separation anxiety?" — the answer should involve warmth and patience, not "they stop crying after five minutes." ask about comfort items, primary caregiver approaches, and how they communicate with you during the day if your child is unsettled
• "what is your behaviour management approach?" — you want to hear about positive guidance, redirection, and helping children understand emotions — not "time out" or punitive measures. ask for a specific example of how they handle conflict between children

6. family partnerships

how the centre communicates with you and involves families in the program. this shapes your day-to-day experience as a parent.

• "how do you communicate with families on a daily basis?" — some centres use apps (Xplor, Storypark, Kinderloop), others do verbal handovers at pickup. ask what information you'll receive: meals eaten, naps, nappy changes, and what activities your child was involved in
• "how can parents get involved?" — look for family events, open days, or invitations to contribute to the program (sharing cultural traditions, reading a book, joining an excursion). centres that actively include families tend to have better outcomes
• "what happens if I have a concern or complaint?" — ask about the escalation process. can you speak to the room leader? the director? is there a formal complaints procedure? a centre that's defensive about this question is telling you something

7. fees and admin

the money questions. don't be shy about these — childcare is one of the biggest expenses in your family budget and surprises are not welcome.

• "what is the total daily fee, including everything?" — some centres advertise a headline rate then charge extra for nappies, sunscreen, excursions, or even "program fees." get the all-in number so you can calculate your actual out-of-pocket cost after Child Care Subsidy
• "is there a bond or enrolment fee?" — bonds of two to four weeks' fees are common. ask whether it's refundable and under what conditions. some centres also charge a non-refundable administration or enrolment fee
• "what are the late pickup fees?" — this catches parents off guard. late fees can be $1-$2 per minute or a flat charge per 15-minute block. know the policy before you need it
• "what is the notice period for withdrawing or changing days?" — most centres require two to four weeks' notice. ask about flexibility for changing booked days, swapping days within a week, and what happens during extended absences like holidays

frequently asked questions