Choosing an early childhood service is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. There’s so much information, so many options, and of course you just want to know your child will be safe, happy and supported.
It’s equal parts exciting, and a little nerve‑wracking or even emotional, but it can also feel a little overwhelming (especially when you’re juggling everyday life, too). That’s why we asked our early childhood experts to share the 10 most common (and most important) questions to ask on a tour, so you can walk in feeling prepared, confident and supported.
10 Questions to ask on your early learning tour
1. How will my child feel welcomed and supported on their first day?
We know all about the first day jitters and the teary goodbyes, we know starting early education is a big moment for children and families. It’s normal to feel excited, nervous, proud, or all three at once, and our educators understand this is a family transition, not just a child’s. We focus on making those first moments feel gentle, familiar and reassuring with the following:
- Warm welcomes and gentle goodbyes
Being greeted by a friendly face who already knows them makes a world of difference. - Comfort, calm and cosy corners
Bring a cuddly toy, teddy, blanket or favourite books. These small things can bring big reassurance. - Playful partnerships and first friendships
- First friendships often start with simple moments: two children building the same tower or joining a puzzle together. Our educators help create these natural interactions so your child feels included right away.
- Skilled support from educators who understand emotions
Because our teams are trained in child development and relational pedagogy, they notice the micromoments, the shy shuffle, the brave blink or the sudden stillness. These cues help us offer exactly the right comfort, reassurance or redirection, ensuring every child feels safe, settled and seen.
2. What does a typical day of play, learning and exploration look like here?
Each service follows their own child led rhythm full of moments that feel familiar, fun and full of possibility. Our qualified teachers craft calm, curious, curriculum led days ensuring every sandpit story, paint splattered masterpiece and quiet-time cuddle connects back to the Early Years Learning Framework (Early Learning and Preschool) and the My Time, Our Place Framework (OOSH) and supports real learning.
3. How do you ensure children feel safe, confident and included?
Child safety is more than a factor, it’s the foundation of everything we do.
And everything we do begins with one simple belief: children learn best when they feel safe, seen and supported.
Yes, we meet every regulation but more importantly, we create an environment where children feel emotionally safe. From shy smiles to wobbly moments, our qualified teachers and educators are trained in child development and relational pedagogy. They notice the small signals that tell us when a child needs comfort, confidence or connection.
We follow strong standards around supervision ratios, safe environments, digital safety, responding to concerns and protecting children’s rights and voices.
Research tells us children learn through relationships, so we prioritise connection first. Trusted relationships help children settle quickly, speak up when they need support and feel confident to explore.
Whether a child is bold, quiet, curious or cautious, we meet them exactly where they are. We value diversity, celebrate difference and ensure every child feels welcome, respected and part of the group.
And feeling safe isn’t just about the child, it’s about families too. We share updates, listen closely and work with you to understand your child’s routines, needs and strengths from day one.
4. What qualifications and experience do your educators bring to the classroom?
Many of our classrooms are led by degree qualified teachers and experienced educators who specialise in early childhood development. Most of our Children’s Services team hold teaching degrees, bringing deep knowledge of how children grow, learn and thrive.
We also invest heavily in ongoing professional learning, including our Education Support Team and our Head of Educational Excellence, ensuring curriculum, teaching practice and child development remain strong, current and deeply aligned with the National Quality Standard.
5. How do you nurture creativity and encourage children to express themselves?
We nurture creativity by giving children time, tools and trust to explore their ideas in whatever way feels right for them. Whether that’s bold brushstrokes, quiet drawing, dramatic roleplay or wonderfully wobbly dance moves.
Our environments are filled with open ended materials that spark curiosity, and our qualified educators follow each child’s lead listening, observing and gently extending their thinking so a scribble becomes a story and a question becomes a whole new adventure. With spaces that invite imagination, moments that celebrate self expression, and relationships that help children feel safe to try, experiment and make a mess, creativity becomes not just an activity, but a natural part of every child’s day.
6. What are your approaches to supporting each child’s unique needs and abilities?
It’s through their curious questions, unique preferences for comfort and knowing their capabilities, and tailoring our teaching to match. We’re specialists in childhood nutrition, fussy eaters, and sneaking vegetables in. Specialists in diverse learning styles and every dinosaur species. Experts in inclusive education and imaginary tea parties.
Our qualified educators observe closely, listen carefully and use child development knowledge and relational pedagogy to understand what each child needs to thrive. With a strong commitment to inclusion, specialist support from our Education Support Team, and warm partnerships with families, we make sure every child feels understood, supported and confidently part of the group.
7. How do you keep families connected and involved in their child’s learning?
Face to face connection is our priority mode of communication with families. Where possible, check in with your child’s educator or director. We also communicate through an app called Kinderloop. It’s for quick updates, photos and little stories that show you the moments that matter, as well as educational programming, centre information and sometimes information from the organisation.
8. What are your policies on illness, food, and allergies?
We keep things simple: if your child is unwell, we ask that they stay home so they can rest and recover, and so everyone else stays healthy too.
When it comes to food, our cooks follow the National Quality Standard (NQS) guidelines to create meals that are safe, nutritious and child friendly (even for the fussy ones). We take allergies and dietary needs seriously: we work closely with families, create clear plans, and ensure every educator knows exactly what each child needs so mealtimes stay safe, calm and confident for everyone. Ask to see our menus which are usually shared on Kinderloop or displayed near the kitchens!
9. How do you support smooth transitions – whether that’s starting early learning or preparing for school?
When children start early learning, we ease them in with gentle routines, familiar faces and plenty of play so they can settle at their own pace. As they grow, we offer a dedicated Transition to School program for children aged 4–5, helping them build skills like independence, friendships, problem solving and resilience through everyday moments of play.
Whether it’s their first day with us or their first day of school, we focus on relationships, reassurance and routines that help every child feel ready, relaxed and excited for what comes next.
10. What fees, subsidies or support options are available for families?
We know fees and funding can feel confusing, especially when you’re juggling work, school runs and everything else life throws your way, so lets keep it simple.
- Our early learning services (long day care) are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Start Strong Funding (NSW Government)
- Our preschools are funded through the NSW Start Strong program
- Fun Clubs (OOSH) are eligible for CCS up the age of 12, meaning your before and after school care, and school holiday programs are subsidised by the Federal Government.
Both of these are optional, and families will need to opt in to receive them, but your centre director and our client engagement team can help guide you through the process so you know exactly what support you’re entitled to. Our goal is to make care accessible, affordable and stress free for every family.
Have more questions? We’re here to support you
Whether you’re feeling curious, nervous, or just want to double‑check a few things, our team is ready to help. Your chosen Centre Director (or the one you have in mind) is always happy to chat, walk you through the details and answer anything that pops up along the way.
