Child Care Centre Evaluation & Checklist
Our Child Care Centre Evaluation Checklist aims to help you, parents, in making the right decision for your child...
Below is a checklist, which will assist you to make a decision regarding which Kindergarten, Long Day Care or Preschool 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 Kindergarten, Long Day Care or Preschool have a variety of activities that deal with different age groups and interests, whilst allowing children to have choice?
- How is the Kindergarten, Long Day Care or Preschool 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 Kindergarten, Long Day Care or Preschool have a policy on discipline?
- Does the Kindergarten, Long Day Care or Preschool 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 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 the years, Guardian Childcare Alliance has built a reputation as one of the best childcare centre management companies in Australia. Our childcare centres thrive on the quality of our childcare services systems, our people and our ability to deliver a caring and nurturing environment for children in our care. Guardian also offers childcare consultants to assist current day care centre owners or prospective investors with childcare centre management advice. And if you would like to join the Guardian team, check out our dedicated child care jobs and careers website.