Early Childhood 0-8

Choosing the Best Child Care or Kindergarten for You

image of a young boy

All families are different. In choosing child care, you need to think of your own family circumstances and needs. For example:

  • how old is your child?
  • how much care will your child need each day?
  • how many days a week will you need care?
  • are you looking for a kindergarten program?
  • how far do you want to travel?

In the year before your child starts school, you are encouraged to choose a service where your child will have access to a kindergarten program delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher. For more information, see About Kindergarten

If you only require a few hours of care each week, occasional care may suit you. If you work full time you may need a long day care service.

You should also look for a service that provides a quality experience for your child. Quality children’s services are those that, for example:

  • provide valuable play and learning experiences for children
  • ensure caring and consistent relationships between staff and children
  • allow children time to explore, learn and discover new activities
  • support all aspects of your child’s development: social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs
  • set clear and reasonable expectations of behaviour, that respect each child’s age and development
  • work in partnership with families.
back to top

Questions you can ask

To determine if the child care is suitable for you and your child’s needs, ask the following questions:

  • are places available for the day/s and hour/s I need?
  • does the service operate throughout the year or only for school terms?
  • does the service offer extended hours of care?
  • does the service offer a funded kindergarten program?
  • what ratio of qualified staff do they have?
  • what are the staff’s values and philosophies around caring and educating children?
  • what are the fees?
  • is there a fee to be placed on the waiting list?
  • are there any other costs I’ll be asked to pay over and above the fees?
  • how does the program meet the different needs, interests and experiences of the children?
  • how does the service support children with additional needs?
  • will the same staff consistently care for my child?
  • what is the process if my child is unwell, upset, or unsettled?
  • can parents be involved and how?
  • can I visit at any time of the day?
  • how are food and drink provided for the children?
  • what are the sleeping arrangements for the children?
  • what is the process for administering medication?
back to top

Things to look for when you visit

Once you have found a child care service that meets your needs, you will want to visit it. Most services welcome enquiries and will organise a time for you to visit.

When you first enter a child care centre or other children’s service you may notice a particular atmosphere: inviting or cold; relaxed or frantic; happy or tense. It should be safe and comfortable – inside and outside. Children should have a choice of fun, interesting and challenging activities.

When staff enjoy their work, they will make you feel welcome and interact warmly with you and your child. You will also know if the children are happy by how engaged they are in their activities and how they relate to each other and the staff.

Information about the service’s operations, policies and procedures should be prominently displayed and made available to you on request. These policies should be child and family focussed, and sensitive to each family’s cultural and social background, lifestyle and child rearing practices.

The available information should include:

  • the service’s education and activities program
  • the contact details of the responsible regional department office
  • the fees charged by the service
  • the name and telephone number of the person at the service that you can contact if you have any complaints or concerns
  • their behaviour management policy
  • staff qualifications
  • their children’s service licence.

Our Department monitors all licensed children’s services to check they comply with the Children’s Services Act 1996 and the Children's Services Regulations 2009 and to investigate complaints or concerns that are raised with the Department about a service.