10 questions to ask on a childcare tour
A tour is your best chance to see past the tidy foyer and understand what a centre is really like. The trick is asking the questions that reveal everyday life, not just the ones with rehearsed answers. Here are ten worth bringing with you.
Key takeaways
The most useful questions are about consistency, communication and settling, not just facilities.
Ask what is included in the daily fee so you can compare centres fairly.
Notice how the team answers as much as what they say; warmth and openness matter.
The people
Questions about educators and consistency
Relationships are the single biggest factor in how settled a child feels, so start here.
Ask about the team
- How long have the educators in this room been here?
- Who will be my child's main educators, and how consistent are they day to day?
- How do you support a new child through settling and orientation?
- What are your educator-to-child ratios in this room?
Consistent educators who know your child by name, not a rotating roster, are what make drop-offs easier over time. If a centre can speak clearly about how it keeps its team stable, that tells you a lot.
The day
Questions about routine, communication and inclusions
Ask about everyday life
- What does a typical day look like for my child's age group?
- How, and how often, will you communicate with me about my child's day?
- What is included in the daily fee, and what costs extra?
- How do you handle meals, allergies, sleep and nappies?
Compare fees fairly
Inclusions vary a lot between centres. Our guide to childcare costs explains why the advertised rate is only half the story, and the CCS calculator estimates your real out-of-pocket cost.
The feel
The two questions to ask yourself afterwards
Once the practical questions are answered, trust your read of the room. Did the children seem engaged and comfortable? Did the team feel warm and open, or guarded? A centre that welcomes hard questions is usually one that has nothing to hide. When you are ready, book a tour at Hoppers Crossing or Sydenham and bring this list.
“You learn the most from how a centre answers the questions it did not expect.”
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