Looking for a childcare centre as a new parent can be confusing, especially when you’re placing your little one’s well-being, development, and daily happiness in someone else’s care. Asking thoughtful questions during a tour helps cut through the uncertainty and gives you a clearer picture of how each centre truly operates.

In this guide, you’ll discover 15 essential questions every parent should ask when touring a childcare centre, helping you feel confident and reassured in your decision.

Why Should You Visit a Childcare Centre Before Choosing One?

Visiting a childcare centre in person gives you the opportunity to observe the environment, meet the educators, and see how daily routines operate. It allows you to experience the atmosphere firsthand and assess whether it feels safe, warm, and welcoming for your child.

Besides that, a tour also provides clarity you simply can’t get from websites or brochures, helping you make a confident, informed decision about which centre best supports your child’s needs and your family’s values.

What to Do Before Your Childcare Centre Tour?

Before stepping into a childcare centre, a little preparation can make your tour far more meaningful and productive. Taking the time to plan helps you focus on what matters most and ensures you get clear answers about the centre’s approach to care, learning, and safety. Most importantly, preparing your questions in advance will help guide your conversation with educators and set you up perfectly for the key questions covered in the next section.

Here’s what to do before your visit:

• Research the centre’s philosophy, programs, and reputation

• Prepare questions about safety, educators, learning, and daily routines

• Note any specific needs or concerns your child may have

• Review the centre’s website, photos, and parent testimonials to understand the basics before you arrive

15 Key Questions to Ask When Visiting a Childcare Centre

Asking thoughtful questions during your tour helps you understand how each centre operates, what they value, and whether their approach aligns with your child’s needs. Below are the most important questions parents should ask to make an informed, confident decision.

What is your educational philosophy?

Understanding a centre’s educational philosophy helps you determine whether its approach aligns with your family’s values. Whether it’s play-based learning, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or a blended approach, this philosophy influences daily activities, the learning environment, and how educators support a child’s curiosity and development. Asking this question helps you see if the centre’s values match what you want for your child.

How do educators support children’s learning and development?

This question helps you understand how intentionally the centre plans for each child’s growth. Quality educators don’t just supervise - they observe children’s interests, set up environments that invite exploration, and guide learning through meaningful interactions.

A quality centre should be able to explain how educators observe, plan, and tailor learning experiences to each child. Their response shows how intentional and supportive their learning environment truly is.

What qualifications and experience do your educators have?

Educators with strong qualifications and experience can better support your child’s development and respond to their needs. Ask about formal certifications, first-aid training, professional development, and educator tenure. Experienced and consistent staff help create a stable, nurturing environment, making it easier for children to form trusting relationships.

What are your educator-to-child ratios throughout the day?

Ratios directly impact supervision, safety, and the amount of individual attention your child receives. The National Quality Framework (NQF) sets out the minimum child ratio requirements for children’s education and care services.

• 0 - 24 months: 1:4 ratio

• 24 - less than 36 months: 1:5 (Most states and 1:4 for VIC)

• Most states and territories:

• ACT, NT, QLD, SA, VIC: 1 educator to 11 children (1:11)

• New South Wales (NSW): 1 educator to 10 children (1:10)

• Tasmania (TAS): 1:10 ratio

• Western Australia (WA): 1:10 for the first 12 children, then 1:13 for additional children

Understanding how ratios change at different times of the day helps you measure how well children are supported during learning, meals, and transitions.

What does a typical day look like for each age group?

Daily routines provide structure, comfort, and predictability for young children. Asking about a typical day helps you understand how the centre balances learning, play, rest, meals, and outdoor time. You’ll also learn how flexible they are in responding to individual needs, which is especially important for babies and toddlers.

How do you communicate with parents about their child’s progress?

Regular communication builds trust and keeps you informed about your child’s learning, behaviour, and daily experiences. Whether updates are shared through an app, email, photos, or conversations at pick-up, consistency matters. This query helps you understand how connected you’ll feel to your child’s day while they’re in care.

How do you support children’s emotional well-being and behaviour?

Positive emotional support helps children feel secure and confident. Ask how educators comfort children, guide behaviour, and help them manage emotions or conflict. Their approach reveals the centre’s commitment to nurturing resilience, empathy, and emotional intelligence, which is a key foundation for healthy development.

How do you ensure children’s safety and security?

Safety is a top priority in any childcare setting. Ask about secure entry systems, supervision practices, emergency procedures, and how incidents are recorded and communicated. Their response provides insight into how seriously they take risk management and how well-prepared they are for unexpected situations.

What meals and nutrition options do you offer?

Nutrition plays a major role in children’s energy, behaviour, and development. Ask whether meals are cooked onsite, who plans the menu, and how dietary needs or allergies are managed. This point helps you ensure your child will receive healthy, balanced food throughout the day.

What learning experiences and activities do children participate in?

Daily activities should encourage exploration, creativity, and skill-building. Ask about indoor and outdoor play, sensory experiences, group learning, and opportunities for children to follow their interests. This helps you understand the variety and quality of learning your child will experience.

How do you support new children during the settling-in period?

Transitions can be emotional for children and parents. Understanding the centre’s settling-in process helps you gauge how gentle, flexible, and supportive they are. Centres that offer orientation visits, tailored routines, and strong communication can make the transition smoother for your child.

What is included in your fees, and are there additional costs?

Every centre structures fees differently. Ask what is included in meals, nappies, excursions, bedding and what costs extra. Understanding payment policies, holiday charges, and how CCS is applied ensures you have a clear picture of the financial commitment.

How do you handle illnesses, accidents, and emergencies?

Knowing how the centre manages health-related situations gives you peace of mind. Ask about illness policies, exclusion periods, first-aid procedures, emergency plans, and how parents are notified. This question helps you understand how prepared and responsive the centre is during critical moments.

How do you create an inclusive environment for all children?

An inclusive centre celebrates diversity and supports children with different backgrounds, abilities, and needs. Ask about cultural inclusion, additional support services, and how educators ensure every child feels respected and valued. This line of questioning helps you evaluate the centre’s commitment to equity and belonging.

How do you document and share children’s learning?

Documentation helps parents understand their child’s progress, interests, and emerging skills. Ask how educators record observations, track development, and share learning stories or portfolios. Their approach reflects how thoughtfully they engage with each child’s growth and achievements.

Important Warning Signs to Notice When Visiting a Childcare Centre

While tours are a great opportunity to experience a centre firsthand, it’s just as important to look out for red flags that may signal poor-quality care. Paying attention to these warning signs can help you make a safer, more informed decision for your child.

Key warning signs to watch for include:

• Vague answers to safety or curriculum questions

• Unsupervised children or inadequate supervision

• Dirty, damaged, or unsafe equipment

• Overcrowded rooms or limited space to move

• Lack of clear communication systems with parents

• Educators who appear disengaged, stressed, or uninterested

• No visible or structured learning programs

Book a Tour at Inspira Kids to Experience Quality Childcare

At Inspira Kids, we believe early learning should be nurturing, inclusive, and inspired by each child’s natural curiosity. Our centres are designed to feel like welcoming family spaces where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.

We warmly encourage parents to book a tour of our Early Learning centres or chat with our friendly team to experience our environment, meet our dedicated educators, and see firsthand how we support each child’s development.

Why families choose Inspira Kids:

• Warm, homelike environments that promote comfort and belonging

• Educators committed to high-quality early learning

• Diverse programs are designed to support growth and curiosity

• Strong communication and meaningful connections with families

• 3 pillars for nurturing your child's growth: BODY, Habit of Mind, C.O.R.E Literacy programme.