How to choose a childcare centre in Australia
We are lucky to be spoilt for choice when it comes to the number and quality of childcare services available to us in Australia. But many of us are unsure how to choose a childcare centre that’s right for us. After all, it’s a big decision we all want to get right.
National operational requirements set by the National Quality Framework help to ensure all registered early childhood education providers and early learning programs adhere to the same minimum standards. But there are some childcare and daycare services that go above and beyond expectations to deliver an exceptional level of care and early learning experiences.
Whether you’re a parent looking for quality early education in your local area, or a childcare professional, administrator or educator looking to work with the best employer, this article will help you determine how to choose a childcare centre that’s right for you.
Your first concern should be location and accessibility
Your first consideration when determining how to choose a childcare centre should be location. Make a list of all of the childcare centres in your local area, and contact each of them to obtain their annual fees and any additional costs. These might include catering, special events or even waiting list fees. Don’t make a decision on price alone, but take into account proximity to your home and workplace. You may also wish to ask about waiting lists and if they offer a centre tour.
Would it be more convenient to have a centre closer to where you live or work? Consider your daily commute and which location would make daily drop-offs and pick-ups more manageable. Shorter commutes can contribute to a better work-life balance. It frees you up for other activities and reduces the stress of having to coordinate schedules. If you live in a larger city, childcare services close to public transportation may be more practical options.
Though we don’t like to consider the possibility, emergency and urgent situations can occur. Having a childcare centre that’s nearby will be much more convenient if your child becomes ill or requires immediate attention.
Attending a local childcare centre helps foster a sense of community for families and children. If your child forms friendships with children while attending care, it’ll be easier for you to connect with their families. You’ll be able to coordinate playdates and create a strong support network.
When choosing a childcare centre, look for qualified and experienced educators
After narrowing your options by location, it’s time to look at staffing. You may want to consider if the service has a good mix of experienced senior childcare professionals as well as the energy and enthusiasm of trained sector newcomers.
The National Quality Framework (NQF) sets minimum standard requirements for early childhood teaching qualifications. Ensure that all educators meet the national regulations. Regulations may vary based on care setting and location. In some cases, educators actively working towards formal qualifications may be counted towards qualification requirements.
Depending on the setting, there are requirements surrounding staff concerning first-aid, CPR, anaphylaxis training and asthma training. There are also rules and regulations on how often this training needs to be renewed. Ensure that the staff of the childcare service you’re considering have up-to-date qualifications.
It’s also a good idea to enquire about the ongoing professional development of educators. High-quality childcare services support ongoing professional development. Does the centre encourage educators to improve their skills through workshops, training sessions or further qualifications? Such ongoing development helps ensure educators are aware of and employ best practices in early childhood education.
You should also ask about the educator-to-child ratio to understand how many children will be in the group. Under the NQF, strict ratios are laid out for different types of services and ages. Ratios may vary based on where you live. You can use the calculator on this page to determine if the childcare service you’re considering is meeting educator-to-child ratios.
Finally, ask about the service’s current NQS rating, particularly in Quality Area 4—Staffing arrangements. Ensure the services hold a “Meeting” rating, but services with an “Exceeding” or “Excellent” rating typically go above and beyond to deliver outstanding care to children. Consult this map for childcare centres with an “Excellent” rating near you.
Does the childcare centre you’re considering offer healthy, child-friendly menus and have an allergy awareness program?
When considering how to choose a childcare centre, remember that healthy menus equal healthy minds. As children take on the big step of attending childcare or kindergarten, it’s important they enjoy healthy meals that keep their energy levels steady. A growing number of childcare centres offer healthy eating initiatives, including in-house chefs, kitchen gardens and edible gardening programs.
You may want to ask:
- What does a typical daily/weekly menu look like?
- How do you ensure meals meet Australian dietary guidelines?
- Are the meals prepared on-site or catered?
- Can you accommodate specific dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher)?
- How do you encourage healthy eating habits and food education?
Food allergies are also an increasing concern for parents of young children, so it’s important to have educated kitchen staff who understand food allergies and have in place a management plan for food allergies and anaphylaxis. In addition to ascertaining if staff have the necessary training mentioned above, you can ask the childcare service questions like these.
- How do you handle food allergies and intolerances?
- What is your policy for managing life-threatening allergies (e.g., nut allergies)?
- How do you ensure there is no cross-contamination of allergens during food preparation and serving?
- Are staff trained in managing food allergies and anaphylaxis?
- How do you communicate with parents/guardians about meal plans and allergy incidents?
- Do you involve children in meal planning or preparation?
- How do you handle children bringing food from home?
- How do you manage food at special events (e.g., birthday parties, cultural celebrations)?
Consider checking the service’s Quality Area 2—Children’s health & safety rating. Relevant questions may include:
- How do you ensure proper hygiene during food preparation and mealtimes?
- Do you conduct regular allergy awareness training for staff?
- What is your policy for administering medications for allergies (e.g., antihistamines or EpiPens)?
Ensure the childcare centre you choose offers a stimulating curriculum and engagement programs
There are two nationally approved learning frameworks that have been created to support high-quality early learning education and care.
- Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia V2.0 (EYLF)
- My Time, Our Place: Framework for School Age Care in Australia V2.0 (MTOP)
The Early Years Learning Framework 2.0 (EYLF) guides childcare providers on the principles, practices and outcomes that support and enhance early learning from birth to age five, and the transition period into school. This framework is used to construct the curriculum and engagement programs at childcare centres and kindergartens.
The My Time, Our Place (MTOP 2.0) framework provides guidance on outside school hours care (OSHC) programs. While aligned with the EYLF, is it tailored to the needs of older children, promoting autonomy and self-expression.
Whichever program the service uses, it should encourage children to learn, interact and develop through child-centred play and learning activities. Australian childcare services can elect to use other learning frameworks, or opt to integrate other learning philosophies with these frameworks, including, but not limited to:
- Montessori
- Reggio Emilia
- Steiner (Waldorf)
- Nature-based learning
- Play-based learning
- STEM-focused programs
It’s important to remember that all centres have their own unique differences. Ask about the program inclusions to learn more, and choose a program that reflects your family values and the interests, needs and personality of your child.
Another important factor when choosing a childcare centre—facilities and environment
Professional, caring and engaging staff are more important than having the latest play equipment. But take note of the age and condition of the centre’s infrastructure. You’ll want to look for a centre that is well equipped with safe and modern infrastructure and learning resources. The facilities and environment play a crucial role in ensuring that children are safe, comfortable and supported in their learning and development. Some things to consider:
- Safety and Security—Look for a safe layout/design, secure entry/exit, childproofing and enquire about emergency preparedness and evacuation plans.
- Indoor Learning Environment—Check for age-appropriate, comfortable, stimulating spaces that are clean and hygienic.
- Outdoor Play Area—Assess whether outdoor spaces are safe and secure, offer various equipment, provide opportunities for nature play and have sufficient shaded areas.
- Indoor-Outdoor Flow—Is there a smooth indoor-outdoor flow that allows for easy inside/outside transitions?
- Learning Materials and Resources—Does the service offer a diverse range of educational resources, including culturally diverse materials?
- Group Sizes and Layout—Assess open-play areas vs separate rooms and look for facilities that encourage small group sizes.
- Accessibility and Inclusivity—Even if your child doesn’t have additional needs, look for services that provide inclusive environments and support children who may have support needs.
- Facilities for Hygiene and Health—Check for clean and well-maintained toilets, nappy changing facilities and handwashing stations.
- Meals and Dining Areas
- Dedicated Dining Areas—Check for clean, hygienic areas where children can eat, as this promotes good eating habits and social interaction during mealtimes.
- Food Storage and Preparation—Enquire about the service’s kitchen facilities and how food is stored and prepared, particularly if meals are cooked on-site.
- Environmental Sustainability
- Sustainable Practices—Determine if the service has adopted sustainable practices, such as recycling, composting, water conservation and energy-efficient facilities. Bonus points for services that teach children about sustainability through hands-on activities like gardening or waste reduction.
- Natural Lighting and Ventilation—Services that prioritise natural light, fresh air and an outdoor connection tend to create a more comfortable and stimulating environment for children.
- Technology and Digital Resources
- Age-Appropriate Use of Technology—Ensure the service’s use of technology aligns with your views on technology use by young children.
- Cultural and Community Connection
- Community Engagement Spaces—Some services may offer community spaces where parents can participate in activities or connect with each other. This can help foster a sense of community and belonging for both children and their families.
By evaluating these aspects of the facilities and environment, parents can select a childcare centre that provides a safe, enriching and developmentally appropriate space for their child. You may wish to enquire about the service’s rating in Quality Area 3—Physical environment to help with your decision.
How does the service encourage family engagement?
Another consideration to help you choose the right childcare service is to remember it’s tough being away from your child for long stretches of the day. You’ll want to ask the service how they communicate with families and provide them with updates throughout the day. Determine if any family apps they use have restrictions on the number of daily images or hidden costs for families.
Services using the Xplor Education platform provide families with multiple ways to engage with the service. The free family app, Home, helps you feel close—even when you aren’t.
While your child is in care, you’ll want regular updates on daily activities and milestones. Home works seamlessly with the Playground educator app. Educators can easily share pictures, videos and audio clips with families. Parents/guardians can like and comment on Posts or reach out to educators using the Messenger feature. Parents/guardians will also have access to digital reports on illnesses, injuries and food allergies, as well as an automated record of attendance and childcare fees and subsidies.
In addition to getting updates via Home, parents/guardians can also make instant bookings and cancellations. For services that use the Xplor Pay payments gateway, parents/guardians can set up direct debit or make ad hoc payments right from their mobile devices.
Knowing how to choose a childcare centre for your child can be a daunting task, but with the tips and strategies in this article, you should feel better equipped and informed. By knowing what to look for and what questions to ask, you can be more confident in your choice of childcare centre.
