Choosing childcare is one of the biggest early decisions a family makes. A website can tell you the opening hours and inclusions, but the most important questions are usually about how a centre feels, how well educators know the children, and whether the daily routine will work for your family.
For families looking for childcare in Ashburton, Ashwood, Glen Iris, Burwood or nearby suburbs, this checklist gives you a practical way to compare services without getting distracted by glossy marketing.
1. Start with the relationships, not the facilities
Beautiful rooms are helpful, but children experience childcare through relationships. During a tour, notice whether educators are down at children’s level, whether they respond warmly to questions and emotions, and whether children appear comfortable approaching them.
Ask how educator continuity is managed. Familiar educators can make arrivals, transitions, rest times and difficult moments much easier for young children.
2. Look closely at group size and how the day actually works
Two centres can meet the same regulatory ratios and still feel very different. Ask how many children are usually together in the room, how the group is organised during meals and learning experiences, and whether educators can adapt routines for individual children.
A smaller service can make it easier for families and educators to know one another well. Clever Kids is intentionally a 45-place centre, with Nursery, Toddler and Kindergarten rooms rather than a large multi-room campus.
3. Ask what learning looks like beyond the program board
A strong early learning program should be visible in everyday interactions, not only in planned activities. Look for conversation, stories, problem solving, movement, creative experiences, early maths and science, and opportunities for children to follow their own interests.
For older children, ask how the kindergarten program supports confidence, language, early literacy, numeracy, independence and school readiness without turning early childhood into formal school.
- How are children’s interests used in planning?
- What specialist experiences are included?
- How do educators share learning with families?
- How is the program adapted for different development and support needs?
4. Check the practical details that affect every week
The right centre also has to work for real family life. Compare opening hours, meals, dietary support, nappies and rest routines, holiday closures, communication, fees and Child Care Subsidy processes.
Ask exactly what happens when your child starts. A thoughtful orientation process should give your child time to build familiarity before expecting them to manage a full day in a new environment.
5. Take child safety seriously
Ask how the service approaches supervision, authorised collection, sleep and rest, visitors, excursions, child-safe practices and communication when something happens. Good services should be comfortable explaining their systems in plain language.
You should also feel comfortable asking questions during a tour. A transparent culture matters just as much as written policies.
6. Trust what you notice on the tour
Once the practical requirements are met, pay attention to the atmosphere. Do staff greet families by name? Do the rooms feel calm and purposeful? Are children engaged? Can you picture your child being known as an individual there?
A tour is the best way to move from a shortlist to a confident decision. Visit more than one service if you need to, ask the same core questions, and choose the place that feels both safe and genuinely suited to your child.
This article provides general information for families. Government funding and eligibility settings can change; check current official guidance and your chosen service’s current arrangements.