What to look for when visiting a childcare centre + 20 questions to ask during a daycare tour.         

BY HEJIRA CONVERY

APRIL 20, 2026

Once you’ve searched for childcare near you and compared your favs with KindiCare, the next step is to book a centre tour or visit.  

This is super important, because walking through your shortlisted services will give you a real sense of the education and care on offer.  

We recommend that you book at least three centre tours, and if you have lots of choice and lots of favourites, visit them all!  

You’re making a big investment in your child’s learning and development, along with your family’s budget and wellbeing, so don’t rush into the decision.  

Allow 20 to 45 minutes for each tour, ask lots of questions, and carefully weigh up your options. 

Also, make sure you take your child along.  

You both need to feel good about the place, people and program on offer. 

And from the moment you step into a prospective centre, here are five things to look for.  

1. A positive vibe  

Atmosphere and culture matter a lot, so make sure the centre passes your vibe test before you hit that ‘Apply’ button in its KindiCare listing.  

This means your tour guide (the Centre Director, Centre Manager or Nominated Supervisor) is happy to see you and your child.  

The educators look like they’re loving their job, with a good rapport amongst the team and a genuine passion for nurturing little learners.  

The children seem cheerful, relaxed and secure at their centre.  

And though you can expect a busy buzz as littlies learn through play, the vibe shouldn’t feel chaotic or stressful.   

2. A clean and safe environment 

It’s really important that the centre cares for children’s health, safety and wellbeing, with risks minimised as much as humanely possible. 

So, during the tour look around to see how clean, safe and secure the place is.  

The premises don’t need to be sparkly new, and some much-loved centres might seem a bit tired, but policies and procedures matter.  

This means a broken gate or grimy kitchen is a red flag, while a clear handwashing routine and thorough sign-in/sign-out process is essential.  

3. Qualified and dedicated educators 

There are qualification rules and educator to child ratios that each centre must adhere to, so ask about these details when you do the tour. 

Although it’s fine to have some staff who are actively working towards their qualifications, you do need to know where your child’s prospective educators are at professionally. 

You’re also looking for warmth, patience and dedication on the floor.  

So, have a look at the educator-child interactions that are happening as you walk through the service, and if you see educators engaging with children at their level, while providing encouragement and care, this is a great sign.   

4. An engaging learning environment 

Your child will be spending long days at the centre you choose, during their formative years, so it’s really important that the environment and program are engaging. 

As you explore the indoor and outdoor areas, look for inspiring play spaces and age-appropriate resources that will support your child’s physical, cognitive and social-emotional growth. 

Ask about the curriculum – which should be rich, varied and play-based, with a school-readiness approach for preschoolers.  

And make sure your early learner will be able to follow their interests and settle into a great routine, with those passionate educators guiding them.  

5. An approach that aligns with you 

Every childcare centre has its own philosophy and vision, so ask about this during the tour, and make sure the centre’s outlook matches yours. 

During the tour, you’ll see how this philosophy plays out in practice (for example, when you step into a carefully prepared Montessori classroom).  

And whatever your outlook, the tour should confirm that the centre is family-focused.  

This means staff see you as a partner in your child’s learning, and there are daily updates (thanks to a childcare management system like OWNA), with lots of ways to communicate and participate.  

Childcare Tour Questions 

The tour provides a great chance to look around and make a decision based on feel, but you also need the facts, so it’s important to ask lots of questions while you’re there.  

A quality team will be happy to answer everything, and here are 20 questions to get you started: 

• Who will be caring for my child, and what qualifications do they have?  

• What is staff turnover like at the centre? 

• What is the educator to child ratio in my child’s room? 

• What is the sign-in and sign-out process at the centre?  

• How else are children kept safe and secure? 

• What will a typical day look like for my child?  

• How much time will they spend outdoors each day? 

• What is your approach to transitions, mealtimes and rest times?   

• How will the centre support our specific needs, such as managing my child’s food allergy? 

• How will educators help my child settle in?  

• How will educators respond if my child is having a tough time? 

• What philosophy and vision does the centre follow? 

• What kinds of learning activities will my child participate in, and how are these planned? 

• How will the team prepare my child for school?  

• How will I be kept up to date about my child’s learning and wellbeing?  

• What happens if my child is sick or has an accident? 

• What are the fees for my child’s age and attendance, and what’s included? 

• How do bookings and absences work?  

• What happens if I’m running late for pick-up? 

• How does enrolment and orientation work? 

 
Feel free to ask anything else that comes to mind during the tour. 

And whether the first centre you visit is The One, or you’re struggling to decide between three you absolutely love, knowledge is power. 

So, put your childcare centre shortlist together using the FREE KindiCare App or kindicare.com  

Then tap the enquiry button in each listing to arrange a walkthrough at all those centres you like the look of.  

FAQs 

What is a childcare centre tour? 

A centre tour is a personalised visit that involves you and your child being shown around a prospective childcare service by the Centre Director, Centre Manager or Nominated Supervisor, giving you a chance to see the environment and learning experiences in person. If you can’t make it to a centre, it is also possible to do a virtual tour online.   

What to look for in a childcare centre 

A childcare centre should offer quality education and care that’s convenient and affordable for your family. When touring a daycare, you are looking for a positive vibe, a clean and safe environment, qualified and dedicated educators, an engaging learning environment, and a philosophy that aligns with your family’s childcare needs and wants.  

When to start touring daycares 

Organise some centre visits or tours as soon as you know you’ll be needing childcare. This enables you to decide on a daycare for the future, or enrol with one straightaway, and touring three or more childcare centres will help you make an informed choice around things like staff, curriculum, convenience, value and vibe.    

Should I bring my child to a daycare tour? 

Yes. Your child will be spending long days, and possibly several years, at the childcare centre you choose. So, it’s important that they know what to expect, and get a good feel from the place, people and educational program.