You’ve done the research, read the reviews, and booked a tour of a childcare centre… and then you walk through the door and every question you planned to ask completely vanishes. It happens to the best of us!
Choosing childcare for your little one is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in the early years. And while a beautiful space and a friendly welcome are a great start, they don’t always tell you everything you need to know.
We’ve created a checklist of questions to help you out!
Questions about educators and relationships
Relationships are at the heart of quality early childhood education. Young children thrive when they feel safe and connected to the people caring for them.
Here’s what to ask:
- Who will be caring for my child each day?
- How do educators build relationships with babies and toddlers?
- What are your educator-to-child ratios?
- How long have your educators been part of the team?
- How do you support children who are new to childcare?
- How do educators communicate with families?
- Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
Questions about sleep and rest
Sleep is one of the biggest concerns for families entering childcare. And as parents ourselves, we get it! Here are some questions that can help you understand how sleep and rest will be handled:
- How are sleep routines managed?
- Can my child’s individual sleep routine be followed?
- How do you support children who struggle to settle?
- How do you ensure safe sleep practices?
- How do you communicate sleep information to families?
Questions about feeding and nutrition
Whether your little one is on bottles, exploring solids, or tucking into proper meals, it’s worth understanding exactly how meals and feeding are handled at any early learning centre you visit.
- Are meals provided?
- How are bottles prepared and stored?
- How do you support babies transitioning to solids?
- Can dietary requirements and allergies be accommodated?
- How is feeding information shared with families?
Questions about learning and development
Even the youngest children in a nursery are learning every single day. Here are some prompts to understand what your little one can expect day-to-day:
- What does a typical day look like?
- How do educators plan learning experiences?
- How are developmental milestones monitored?
- How do you support language development?
- What opportunities do children have for outdoor play?
- How do you encourage social and emotional development?
Questions about safety
It goes without saying that safety is a top priority when choosing any childcare centre. Don’t be shy about asking the details.
- What systems and policies do you have in place to keep children safe while they’re in care?
- What happens if my child becomes unwell during the day?
You might also want to ask about security procedures, sun safety, emergency planning, medication management and incident reporting.
About Little Navigators Everton Park
Little Navigators Everton Park provides nurturing early learning programs from nursery through to kindergarten. Our experienced educators focus on creating safe, engaging and meaningful learning environments where children feel confident to explore, grow and thrive.
Book a tour today and discover what makes our centre feel like a home away from home.
Wanting to find out more about the transition to childcare? Click here.
