Key Questions To Ask During a Childcare Centre Tour

Amir Saad
Dec 23, 2025
3 min read

A centre tour, whether it's a formal open day or private visit, is your best opportunity to go beyond the glossy brochure and really understand how the centre operates every single day.

To help you prepare, here are the most important questions to ask during childcare centre tours.

1. What are the Qualifications and Experience of Your Educators?

● Why it matters: In Australia, the National Quality Framework requires a certain percentage of diploma and degree-qualified staff, but the best centres go well beyond the minimum.

● What to listen for: Ask about ongoing professional development, staff retention rates, and educator-to-child ratios in each room.

2. How Do You Handle Children With Allergies or Special Dietary Requirements?

● Why it matters: Food allergies in Australian children have risen by 50% in the last decade (ASCIA data), so robust systems are non-negotiable.

● What a strong answer includes: Separate preparation areas, individual allergy action plans displayed in kitchens, and staff training in anaphylaxis management.

3. Can You Walk Me Through a Typical Day for my Child's Age Group?

● Why it matters: The daily routine reveals whether the program is play-based, child-led, and balanced between active and quiet times.

● What to look for: Intentional transitions, outdoor play every day (rain or shine), and how screen time is managed (or ideally, not used at all for under 5s).

Our toddlers at Watch Us Grow enjoy two long outdoor sessions daily, intentional group times inspired by the Early Years Learning Framework, and plenty of free-choice play, because we know children learn best when they're happily engaged.

4. How Do You Support Children With Additional Needs or Who Are Neurodivergent?

● Why it matters: 1 in 5 Australian children receive some form of additional support before starting school.

● Listen for: Inclusion plans developed with families, access to early intervention professionals, and sensory-friendly spaces.

We're proud that our Menai centre has a dedicated Inclusion Support Educator and that occupational therapists and speech pathologists regularly visit at no extra cost to families.

5. What are Your Safety and Emergency Procedures?

● Why it matters: You need to know your child will be safe. Ask about secure entry systems for bushfire and lockdown drills.

● Red flags: Vague answers or "we follow regulations" without specifics.

Quick Tour Checklist Table

Area	Key Question to Ask	Green Flag Answer Example
Staffing	Educator qualifications & ratios?	Exceeds NQS ratios + ongoing training
Health & Safety	Allergy management & emergency drills?	Visible action plans + regular practice
Daily Routine	Balance of indoor/outdoor and rest time?	Minimum 2 hours outdoor play daily
Inclusion	Support for additional needs?	Dedicated inclusion educator & therapy partnerships
Communication	How will I know what my child did today?	Private app with photos & daily updates

Final Thought Before You Book Your Tour

The right centre doesn't just answer your questions, they make you feel excited about leaving your child in their care. Trust your gut. If something feels off, keep looking. Ready to experience the difference for yourself? Book a personalised tour of our Menai or Gosford childcare centre today.

FAQs

How long should a childcare centre tour take? A thorough tour should be 45–60 minutes. Anything under 30 minutes usually means they're rushing you.
Should I bring my child to the tour? Watching how educators interact with your child can help you know what to expect daily.
What if I forget my questions on the day? Most quality centres (including ours) will provide you with a parent handbook or checklist. We also email our complete tour question guide when you book.
Is it okay to visit more than once? The best centres encourage multiple visits at different times of day.
When is the best time to tour a centre? Mid-morning (9:30–11 am) lets you see arrival, outdoor play, and group times in action.