A childcare tour goes fast, everyone is friendly, and you leave having forgotten to ask half of what mattered. Here are ten questions worth writing down — useful at any centre, including ours.

1. What is your NQS rating?

Every centre is assessed against the National Quality Standard. Ask for the rating in each of the seven quality areas, not just the headline. (Ours: Meeting NQS in all seven.)

2. How long have your educators been here?

Staff turnover is the single best predictor of your experience. Children thrive on consistent educators; high churn is a red flag no wall display can cover.

3. Who will actually care for my child?

Meet the room educators, not just the Director. Ask about primary caregiving for babies and how ratios are maintained across breaks.

4. How will I know what happened today?

Ask to see the parent app or communication in action — real daily updates, photos and learning stories, not just a newsletter.

5. What is included in the fee?

Meals, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, hats, incursions — centres vary enormously here, and the extras add up fast. Get the inclusion list in writing.

6. What do children eat, and who cooks it?

Ask to see the kitchen and the current menu. Fresh, on-site cooking with allergies handled individually is worth a lot over a five-year enrolment.

7. How do you settle new children?

Listen for a process: orientation visits, short first days, honest phone calls. ‘They will be fine’ is not a process.

8. What does school readiness look like here?

A good answer covers confidence, independence and self-regulation — with literacy and numeracy through play — not a stack of worksheets.

9. How do you handle the hard days?

Biting, big emotions, toileting accidents. You want calm, specific answers about guidance and partnership with parents, not punishment.

10. Can I visit unannounced?

Centres confident in their daily reality will say yes. Hesitation tells you something too.