Information for parents:
Evaluating your childcare centre...
Below is a checklist, which will assist you to make a decision regarding which service is the most appropriate for your child:
- Would your child benefit more from an individual carer's attention or is a group setting more appropriate for his/her development?
- Does the service have a variety of activities that deal with different age groups and interests, whilst allowing children to have choice?
- How is the service managed? Is there an opportunity for parent input?
- What is specifically provided to the children: food, drink, activities etc?
- Do staff have a positive attitude and are confident?
- Is the interaction between staff and children positive?
- Is the staff friendly and happy to answer your questions?
- Do they encourage you to visit and spend time at the centre?
- Do staff provide regular feedback to parents regarding their child or children?
- What are the written policies and procedures of the centre? Ask for a copy.
- How does the service deal with emergencies such as accidents and illnesses?
- Is the equipment well maintained and of interest to the children?
- Will children be taken on excursions, away from the service? What is the policy about this?
- Is the building or area where the service is situated clean and safe?
- Does the service have a policy on discipline?
- Does the service have a policy on fees, in particular late fees?
- Check the registration certificate of the centre you are visiting. All long day care centres must be registered.
- Long day care services and family day care are governed by state government regulations that pertain to staff:child ratios. Click here for links to your state government authority on child care.
Whilst this list is not definitive, it should prompt you to form some conclusions of your own; if you have any concerns, raise them with the centre manager. Click here to download our very useful "Child Care Centre Evaluation Checklist" (PDF 75k).
Over many years, Guardian Childcare Alliance has built a reputation as one of Australia’s best childcare centre management companies. Enrolling your child in a child care centre managed by Guardian Childcare means complete peace of mind, knowing your child will be respected and treated as an individual. So, if you are looking for childcare centre vacancies, need childcare centre information or advice regarding the best childcare centre for your child, contact us… or make an online enquiry today.
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