Best Questions to Ask When Touring a Child Care Center

Hi there and welcome. With a lot of families considering care for the start of next year, most have begun the process of looking for a childcare center for your child/children. As an Early Childcare Educator I love writing about this topic because looking for a childcare center is an incredibly daunting topic (How do you choose just one when there are SO many available?). In this market where there generally are at least 3 childcare centers in your suburb, what should you consider asking the director to help you make your choice? These 5 questions may provide some guidance into how the center operates (beyond location, hours and age groups):

1. What is your ACECQA rating?

Okay, what the heck is that and why does it matter? Acceqa is the government standard by which all childcare centers operate. They get assessed and generally fall into working towards, meeting, or exceeding the standards. An exceeding rated center will usually have this information up on their website. For more information on ACECQA follow the link :)

https://www.acecqa.gov.au/

2. What are your ratio's like?

Ratios are legal requirements in any childcare center that go dependent on age. A baby is 1:4. However some centers go on ratio (meaning they just meet the ratio requirements) while other centers like to have enough staff so that they are over ratio. All of this is important. If your center provides an over ratio ethic that means more care and attention for your child (and more breathing room for educators if staff call in sick).

3. What is your staff turnover?

Again, just like a business the longevity of the staff say something about the center. If staff have stayed for long periods of time- this is a good sign. Another important consideration is that your children will be developing attachments to the Educators. While some moves and shifts are unavoidable- a high turnover rate will make settling your child into a new center far more challenging then it needs to be.

4. Do the younger children spend time with the older children?

As you walk around the center, notice where the babies room is. Do they have their own separate area? Is there some thought put into this? There should be at least some points during the day (for example when the center opens or at around 5 PM) where the younger children have the opportunity to mix and spend time with the older children (this is also why the question about ratios is important).

5. Why do you enjoy what you do?

Just as the center is getting a feel for you and your family when you walk around the center, you are doing the same. This is your chance to ask questions and get an idea of who the Director is. Example flows from the top and if the Director isn't passionate about working with children or doesn't appear to like children that would be a big warning sign. The director should be passionate about what she/he does as this will demonstrate the kind of expectations the other staff need to have as well.

There are many good questions to ask when exploring a childcare center (these are just a few). I hope you enjoyed this article and it was of some use but remember ultimately trust your instincts as a parent because you know what is best for your children.