Choosing an early learning centre can feel overwhelming for many families. You want to find the best place for your child, but where do you start? From comparing curriculums and facilities to working out all the logistics, it can seem like there’s a lot to consider.
We recommend focusing on:
- The educators and centre staff
- The facilities and learning spaces
- The curriculum
- The centre’s NQS rating
- Practical factors like extended operating hours, meal inclusions and cost
It’s also important to visit a centre in person. This allows you to meet the team, explore the space, and ask any questions you have. This is the best way to get a feel for the centre and see if it’s the right fit for your family.
Here, we explain what you should look for in an early learning centre. You can keep these things in mind while you’re researching and visiting different centres. We also provide a handy checklist of questions which you can ask during a centre tour.
Meet the team
Educators will be with your child every day, so it’s important to understand their experiences and approach. The best early learning centres will have consistent, qualified educators with specialised knowledge of the children in the rooms they are looking after.
They should hold recognised qualifications and interact warmly and enthusiastically with the individual needs and routines of every child. Kindergarten programs should be delivered by early childhood teachers who have a Bachelor of Education qualification.
Early learning centres should also maintain educator to child ratios. The National Quality Framework sets out what these ratios should be.
For example, in Victoria, there should be an educator to child ratio of:
- 1:4 for children aged 0 to 36 months
- 1:11 for children up to preschool age.
What to ask on your early learning centre tour:
- How will your educators support my child’s learning?
- What are your educators' qualifications and experience?
- What is the ratio of educators to children?
- Do your staff have first aid and CPR training?
- Do you have qualified teachers in your kindergarten rooms?
Explore the facilities and environment
Early learning centres should have safe, clean and engaging learning spaces. They should be well-equipped with educational resources and have plenty of space for your child to explore, be curious and follow their interests.
When you visit a centre and walk through the rooms, take a look at the play areas and resources. Is the atmosphere calm and inviting? Is there a good balance of quiet corners and active spaces? Are there a range of learning materials like illustrated books, counting blocks, natural materials, or sensory resources to spark your child’s curiosity?
Some centres might also take children on excursions or put on incursions or special events in centre. At the Y Early Learning, we regularly take children to local libraries and parks. We also embrace cultural celebrations in centre to provide diverse learning opportunities.
What to ask on your early learning centre tour:
- What's included throughout the day, like nutritious food, drinks, snacks and nappies?
- What facilities or resources do you have for children of different ages and to cater for different interests?
- Can children spend time outdoors?
- Do you offer excursions or incursions?
Review the curriculum
A quality early learning curriculum will incorporate both play-based learning and school-readiness skills.
To promote play-based learning, educators should create engaging environments that allow children to explore, experiment and discover. This helps children develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills naturally while they play.
A play-based approach to learning also supports children with the transition to school. As well as supporting their development, it helps to build their confidence, independence and love of learning.
Other school-readiness skills include communication, problem solving, creativity, teamwork, and basic literacy and numeracy. These skills should be developed throughout the curriculum, particularly in the kindergarten programs.
It’s important that your early learning centre provides feedback on your child’s learning. Regular communication and collaboration will help your child feel supported, capable and happy.
Questions to ask:
- What is your curriculum?
- What are your daily routines?
- Do you have a preschool or kindergarten program?
- Will you provide updates about how my child is progressing?
- How do you communicate and collaborate with families?
Check the NQS rating
The National Quality Standard (NQS) is Australia's national benchmark for the quality of early childhood education and care. It assesses early learning centres on various quality areas, such as their educational program, health and safety, the physical environment, and more. Centres receive a rating for each quality area, as well as an overall rating.
Checking a centre's NQS rating gives you an independent, trustworthy way to compare childcare providers. You can check online on the Starting Blocks website or ask the centre when you visit. At the Y, many of our centres have received an ‘Exceeding NQS’ rating.
Questions to ask:
- Has your service been assessed and NQS quality rated?
- What is your NQS rating?
Consider the practicalities
Beyond the classroom, everyday logistics matter too. Think about how the centre's operating hours and location will fit into your family's routine. Is the centre located nearby your home or workplace? What are the parking or public transport options like?
It’s also worth asking about the centre’s policies and processes, particularly around health and safety. We encourage you to ask anything that will put your mind at ease.
You can also find out more about the centre’s costs and the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). If the centre is CCS-approved, this could greatly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. If you’re not sure how CCS works, visiting the centre is a good opportunity to ask your questions and learn more about it.
Questions to ask:
- What are your operating hours?
- When is pick-up and drop-off, and what's the process?
- What are your emergency or accident procedures?
- What do I do if my child is sick?
- Can I claim Child Care Subsidy at your centre?
- How does CCS work?
Finding the right fit for your family
When it comes to choosing an early learning centre, the decision will likely come down to the educators, the facilities, the curriculum, and how well it fits your family’s lifestyle. But it’s also important to pay attention to how you feel when you visit. You’ll often know if a centre is right for your family the moment you step through the doors and speak to the team.
Ready to start your journey and see an early learning centre in person? You can book a tour at any Y early learning centre at a day and time that suits you. During the tour, you can explore our rooms, meet the educators, and ask all your burning questions!
We’re also running a twilight open day on Thursday 22 October at 6:00pm. If you’re thinking about enrolling your child, we encourage you to attend to see what we’re all about.
