You’ve done the online research. You’ve checked the ratings. Now you’re standing at the front door of a childcare centre, your child on your hip, and you’re not sure what to say.
Choosing the right childcare centre is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make for your family — and the tour is your most important opportunity to get it right. Most parents know they should look for safety and a warm environment, but the questions that truly reveal a centre’s quality go deeper than that.
This guide gives you 10 essential questions to ask on your childcare tour, what good answers sound like, and the signs to look for while you walk through the door. Save this article before your visit.
When Should I Start Looking for Childcare in Australia?
Earlier than most parents expect. In many Australian suburbs — particularly growing areas like Sunbury and Alfredton — quality childcare centres have waitlists that stretch six to twelve months or longer, especially for nursery and 3-year-old Kinder places. If you’re expecting or your child is under 12 months, now is the right time to start visiting centres and joining waitlists.
✨ At BEL: BEL has centres in both Sunbury and Alfredton. We recommend getting in touch early, as places — particularly in our nursery and Kindergarten rooms — fill quickly. Book a tour and we can walk you through availability and waitlist options.
What is a Good ACECQA Rating for Childcare?
Every approved childcare centre in Australia is independently assessed and rated under the National Quality Framework across seven quality areas. The ratings from lowest to highest are: Significant Improvement Required, Working Towards NQS, Meeting NQS, Exceeding NQS, and Excellent (the highest award, given by ACECQA directly).
Look for a centre rated Meeting NQS or above. Pay attention to individual quality area scores — particularly Quality Area 5 (Relationships with Children) and Quality Area 1 (Educational Program and Practice), as these most directly affect your child’s daily experience. You can check any centre’s rating at StartingBlocks.gov.au before you visit.
10 Essential Questions to Ask on Your Childcare Tour
These questions are designed to reveal how a centre actually operates day-to-day — not just how it presents on its website. A quality centre will welcome every one of them.
Q1: Is the centre licensed and approved — and what is your current quality rating?
Every childcare centre in Australia must be approved under the Education and Care Services National Law. Ask directly about their current ACECQA quality rating and whether any quality areas are under review.
A quality centre will answer confidently and transparently — and offer to show you documentation. If the question is deflected or the answer is vague, treat that as a signal.
✨ At BEL: Our centres are approved under the National Quality Framework. We are happy to share our rating and quality area scores openly on your tour.
Q2: What are the educator-to-child ratios — and do they go beyond the minimum?
Australia’s National Regulations set minimum ratios, but stronger centres often exceed them. Current minimums are:
- 0–24 months: 1 educator for every 4 children
- 24–36 months: 1 educator for every 5 children
- 36 months to school age: 1 educator for every 11 children
Importantly, ask what ratios look like during meals, outdoor play, and rest time — not just during structured learning. These everyday moments matter just as much.
Q3: What qualifications do your educators hold — and how do they keep learning?
The minimum requirement is a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. High-quality centres also employ educators with Diplomas or Bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education — particularly important for Kindergarten rooms, which require a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher.
Also ask:
- Does the team participate in ongoing professional development?
- Are all staff trained in first aid?
- How long has the teaching team been with the centre?
✨ At BEL: At BEL, our Kindergarten program is delivered by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. Many of our educators have been with us for 5, 10, even 15+ years — a reflection of the culture we’ve built over more than three decades.
Q4: What does a typical day look like for the children?
Ask to see a sample daily schedule. A quality day balances play-based learning, outdoor time, rest, and meals without being rushed or rigidly structured. Children learn through play, and the program should reflect that.
A strong daily program includes:
- Intentional play-based learning experiences
- Outdoor time every day, weather permitting
- Rest and quiet time appropriate to the age group
- Meals and social interaction
- Opportunities for creativity, independence, and child-led exploration
If the day is dominated by screen time, worksheets, or feels rigidly adult-directed, that’s a concern. Early childhood learning should be joyful and exploratory.
✨ At BEL: Our daily program follows the Reggio Emilia approach — meaning children’s interests drive the direction of learning, with educators following each child’s curiosity rather than a fixed script.
Q5: How does the learning program support my child’s individual development?
All approved centres in Australia follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). But how centres bring it to life varies enormously. Ask:
- How is the curriculum planned — and who is involved?
- Are programs based on each individual child’s interests and strengths?
- Can parents view learning portfolios or developmental documentation?
- How do educators observe and respond to each child’s development over time?
A strong answer shows the team is genuinely invested in knowing each child — not just ticking compliance boxes.
✨ At BEL: At BEL, parents receive regular updates through StoryPark — including photos, observations, and learning stories from your child’s day. You’re always a partner in your child’s learning, not just an observer.
Q6: How does the centre handle safety, illness, and emergencies?
Safety goes well beyond locked gates and fenced playgrounds. Ask specifically about:
- Child Safe Standards compliance
- Incident, injury, and illness procedures
- Allergy and medication management
- Visitor access and security procedures
- Sun safety, hygiene, and food preparation practices
- Emergency evacuation and lockdown procedures
A quality centre should answer clearly and have documented policies available for you to read on the spot. Vague answers here are a red flag.
Q7: How will the centre communicate with me day-to-day?
Strong communication between educators and families is one of the biggest indicators of a positive childcare experience. Ask:
- How will I receive updates about my child’s day?
- Is there a digital app or portfolio where I can see their activities and milestones?
- What is the best way to raise a concern if something is on my mind?
- How are families involved in the centre’s programs and events?
You should feel like a valued partner in your child’s care — not just someone who drops off and picks up.
✨ At BEL: BEL uses StoryPark to share daily updates, photos, and learning moments with families. Our directors Maria and Jayne are also directly contactable — not a call centre.
Q8: What is the staff turnover like — and how do you retain your team?
This is one of the most revealing questions you can ask — and one most parents forget. Children thrive when they bond with familiar, trusted caregivers. Frequent staff turnover disrupts a child’s sense of stability and belonging, and often signals deeper issues with centre culture or management.
Ask:
- How long have most educators worked here?
- Who will be my child’s primary educators?
- How does the centre support and retain staff?
A long-standing, connected team is a strong indicator of a positive centre culture. Be cautious of centres that can’t give you clear answers here.
✨ At BEL: Many of BEL’s educators have been with us for 5 to 15+ years. Low turnover is something we’re genuinely proud of — it means your child builds real, lasting relationships with the people caring for them.
Q9: How does the centre handle children’s behaviour and big emotions?
Ask how educators respond when children are upset, frustrated, or struggling socially. The answer should involve calm guidance, emotional support, age-appropriate boundaries, and positive behaviour reinforcement. Ask to see the behaviour guidance policy in writing — any quality centre will have one readily available.
Be cautious of centres that rely on:
- Punishment or shame as a first response
- Isolation as a behaviour management tool
- Rigid rules that don’t account for each child’s emotional stage
How a centre handles big emotions tells you a great deal about how your child will feel there every day.
Q10: What are the fees — and what government subsidies am I entitled to?
Most Australian families are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) through Services Australia, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. From January 2026, the 3 Day Guarantee means eligible families receive at least 72 hours (3 days) of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of activity level.
Ask the centre:
- What are the daily or weekly fees?
- What is included — meals, nappies, sunscreen, excursions?
- Can the team assist with CCS information or point me to the right resources?
- Is my child eligible for government-funded Kindergarten hours?
✨ At BEL: At BEL, our fees include chef-prepared meals every day — no lunchbox required. Our team is happy to walk you through CCS eligibility and what funded Kinder looks like for your child’s age group. Check your CCS eligibility at servicesaustralia.gov.au.
What Should I Look for When Visiting a Childcare Centre?
Beyond the questions, a childcare tour is a chance to observe — and trust what you see. Here’s a practical checklist of what strong centres look like in practice, and the warning signs to watch for.
| ✅ Positive Signs |
| ✅ Children look engaged, settled, and happy ✅ Educators are warm and interacting at the children’s level ✅ The environment feels clean, organised, and welcoming ✅ Children’s artwork and learning is proudly displayed ✅ Your questions are answered openly — never deflected ✅ Staff greet your child naturally and warmly ✅ The outdoor space is well-resourced and actively used |
| 🚩 Red Flags |
| 🚩 Educators seem disengaged, distracted, or stressed 🚩 Children appear bored, unsettled, or unattended 🚩 The environment feels overcrowded or poorly maintained 🚩 Questions are deflected or answered vaguely 🚩 Little evidence of learning programs or child engagement 🚩 High staff turnover is acknowledged but not explained 🚩 You feel rushed through the tour |
Trust your instincts. When a parent asks how their tummy feels after visiting a centre — and the answer is ‘really nice’ — that says more than any rating. If something feels off, it probably is. You know your child best.
How Do I Know If a Childcare Centre Is Right for My Child?
There’s no single checklist that works for every family — because every child is different. But after your tour, ask yourself:
- Did the educators make eye contact with your child and engage them naturally?
- Did you feel welcomed and listened to — not sold to?
- Were your questions answered honestly, even the uncomfortable ones?
- Did the environment feel like somewhere your child would want to spend their day?
- Did the daily program reflect your values around play, learning, and wellbeing?
If you answered yes to most of these, you’re in the right place. If you left with unanswered questions or an unsettled feeling, keep looking. The right centre exists — and it’s worth finding.
Ready to Put These Questions to BEL?
At Beginnings Early Learners, we believe every family deserves a childcare centre that can answer every one of these questions — honestly, openly, and with confidence. We welcome you to come in, explore our Sunbury or Alfredton centre, ask every question on this list, and take all the time you need.
We won’t rush you. We won’t deflect. We’ll show you exactly what makes BEL the centre Sunbury and Alfredton families have trusted for over 30 years.