We know how much this matters. Enrolling in childcare is a huge step in your child's life. It often means visiting several centres, so you can find the daycare that feels right.
When a decision feels this important, having good questions to ask a daycare can make things much clearer. Asking thoughtful questions helps you understand how a centre works and how educators care for children.
We delve into five fundamental areas to discuss the questions and reasons behind them and whether a centre is the right fit for you and your child.
- Practical details parents should ask before enrolling
- A centre's values and approach to care and learning.
- What a typical day looks like for children
- Educators' qualifications and experience
- How the centre communicates with families
Practical details parents should ask before enrolling
Availability is one of the first things parents usually ask about. It's more than how many vacancies a childcare centre has, but also what days and times they are available. Many families need care that lines up with work or study commitments.
It’s also helpful to enquire about the enrolment process. Understanding how enrolment works allows you to plan ahead and create a smooth transition from homecare to daycare.
Another important step is learning about the centre’s policies and procedures. These set clear expectations on important matters such as health and safety. Aside from asking for copy of the health and safety policies, it’s also worth asking the service about their security measures.
Here are a few practical questions for childcare centres, that you might want to ask during your visit.
- What are your opening and closing times?
- How does enrolment work? Will my child be placed on a waiting list?
- How long is your waiting list, and how many vacancies likely to become available?
- What are the fees, and are you registered for the Child Care Subsidy?
- Do you provide occasional, casual or flexible care?
- Can I get a copy of the policies and procedures that affect my child's care and learning?
- What happens when my child is sick?
- Are you open on public holidays, school holidays and weekends?
- What security measures do you have in place?
- What's the process for signing children in and out?
A centre’s values and approach to care and learning
Every childcare centre operates with a set of values and a childcare philosophy that guide how educators care for and support children’s learning.
Values matter as they guide a service's decisions. You can compare an early learning centre's core values, such as 'Joy in the Messy Moments' and 'Community and Belonging', with your own to see how they closely align.
It’s also helpful to understand a centre's childcare philosophy and approach to learning. This can help you choose a service that matches your child's needs and parenting style.
Early learning services that align with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) focus on play-based learning. They may also follow other educational approaches, such as Montessori, Waldorf or nature-play.
Questions to ask childcare providers about their values and approach:
- How do the educators support a child's emotional wellbeing?
- How do you support children with separation anxiety?
- Can I get a copy of the childcare centre's policies for handling challenging behaviours?
- What curriculum and educational approaches does the centre follow?
- What type of resources do you have in the rooms? Do you have toys, open-ended loose parts and natural materials?
- How much time do children spend outside each day? (Ask to walk through their outdoor play areas.)
- What are the centre's values and how are they reflected in everyday practice?
What a typical day looks like for children
Most parents feel more at ease when they know what their child is doing. Ask the centre for a daily schedule that includes mealtimes, naps and other experiences.
It’s also helpful to check whether the schedule includes activities that promote different areas of development, such as arts and crafts, outdoor play, storytelling and both group and individual play.
Experiences that encourage physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth are essential for a well-rounded early childhood education.
When choosing the right daycare, you may also want to consider whether the routine feels like a good fit for your own parenting philosophy.
Questions for daycare visits:
- What's the daily routine like?
- How do you maintain consistency with children's routines?
- How do you handle transitions between activities?
- Can I have a copy of the daily schedule?
- Are there set times for outdoor play, or can children move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces?
- What enrichment experiences or extra-curricular programs do you offer children? (Is there a language or dance program?)
- What will my child be eating and drinking? (Enquire about a seasonal menu and whether meals are included in fees.)
Even if you don’t ask every question, these points can guide your conversations.
Educators' qualifications and experience
Educators' professional backgrounds are one of the most common concerns for families enrolling in childcare centres.
Some services display the qualifications and experience of room leaders or lead educators within the centre, so families can learn more about the people caring for their children.
It's perfectly reasonable to ask about the educators’ qualifications. You can also ask about the training and professional development they receive.
Educators who work in a supportive environment are more likely to pass that support on through the quality care they provide.
Ideally, you want a team of educators who:
- are passionate about early childhood education
- show their dedication to caring for children and learning beside them
- are genuinely curious about your child's interests
- want to develop healthy relationships with families
- receive exceptional support, focusing on professional development, mentoring, wellbeing and financial incentives
When visiting a centre, take some time to observe how educators interact with the children and with each other.
Ask these questions for childcare visits and tours:
- Who will be my child's educators? What are their qualifications, and how long have they been working in the childcare sector?
- Do you have qualified teachers in every room?
- If my child's room leader is away, who replaces them?
- Do you enjoy working here? Why?
- How many educators do you have in every room?
How the centre communicates with families
Educators who care about children's wellbeing build valuable partnerships with their families. It often starts with a welcoming environment, where educators greet families by name and show a genuine willingness to listen and communicate.
When parents and educators work together, they regularly swap information and talk about a child’s care and learning. This open communication strengthens trust and supports collaboration, with families actively participating in their child’s learning.
Want to know more about how a centre communicates with families?
Try these questions for childcare providers:
- How does the centre communicate with families?
- How do you update parents about their child's daily activities?
- How do you communicate behavioural concerns or health issues?
- What's your approach to discussing more urgent matters, such as illness or injuries?
- Can I chat with my child's room leader at drop-offs and pick-ups?
What are good questions to ask a daycare?
Enrolling in childcare often begins with asking questions about location and vacanices. But there’s more to childcare, such as finding a place that resonates with you as a family.
By asking about practical details, communication, educator experience, daily routines and the centre’s values, parents can learn how a service operates. These questions can also help families decide whether a centre feels like the right fit.
In the end, the goal is to find a long daycare centre where your child feels safe, nurtured and excited to learn, and where the environment also supports your family’s needs and values.
Ready to find where your children will flourish?
You want the best environment for your child to sprout and reach new milestones. With new centres opening soon now is the perfect time to reach out and be the first to know how Apollo Villages cultivates a natural, nurturing space for children. Let’s walk this path together.