The educators, location and the cost are just some of the factors you need to consider when looking for a childcare centre. It is more than checking the curriculum or play areas; it’s also a matter of whether you’ll feel comfortable leaving your child there.
We understand that it’s a big decision, and it can be challenging to find the right childcare centre in Sydney. You can book a tour to different centres all you want, but if you have no prior idea what to check, you'll find yourself lost.
As parents, you would want a childcare centre that you feel confident with. What should you enquire about, and what should you be looking for? Here's your ultimate guide on how to choose the right childcare centre for your child.
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A good childhood centre educator knows how to connect with children in a kind and respectful way. Try observing how the teachers in the childcare centre communicate with their students. A high-quality childcare centre knows how important it is to establish a good educator-parent relationship.
It's also important to ask the right questions like:
This will help you navigate the right childcare centre for your child.
It’s ideal to find a childcare centre in Sydney that’s accessible to where you live. You should inquire about the centre's proximity to public transportation and whether or not it offers parking for parents. It's best to check if find it easy to drop off and pick up.
Because not all kids are into the same things, it's crucial that a childcare centre provide a variety of venues and activities. There should be different options that will engage them and keep them interested, like field trips, art festivals, martial arts, coding, and foreign language classes. All their experiences can help kids develop a sense of self-care and awareness.
While recommendations from friends and family or other reliable sources might be helpful, you should still check out a potential childcare facility to make sure it suits your needs. Visit the centre multiple times during the day if you can so that you can see how the staff interacts with the kids and observe a typical day in the
Make sure it fits the criteria, such as being kid-proofed, clean, engaging, and supplied with age-appropriate, high-quality books and toys.
A childcare centre’s philosophy of learning should follow the national standards. What makes a facility conducive to learning is its approach and strategy. What do they want to achieve and provide? Does it align with yours? Because of the important role that instructors play in any school, be sure to ask about the staff's ongoing training and how they stay updated on developments in the early childhood education sector.
If you reside in Sydney, it's best to check if the childcare centre follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Make sure their programs fall under the National Quality Framework (NQF) and National Quality Standard (NQS). It only means they aim to to improve education and care across long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten, and outside school hours care services.
Find yourself a childcare centre that has a nutrition programme filled with healthy foods. What kind of food do they serve? How do they handle children who are picky eaters? Children with special dietary or cultural requirements should be accommodated. The everyday menu should be presented to you.
In the case of children aged 6 weeks to 2 years, inquire about the service's ability to meet your baby's specific nutritional needs, including tracking your baby's food preferences and helping with the transition from purees to solids.
It's best to choose a childcare centre that aligns their approach with NSW Health’s “Much and Move” initiative.
Childcare centres and long-day care centres typically care for children between the ages of 0 and 6 and are open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can provide a nursery for children aged 6 weeks to 2 years, toddler programmes for children aged 2-3 years, and preschool programmes for children aged 4 to 6, with curriculums that are largely consistent with national standards.
Parents are much more aware these days, and they want to know that they are making the best decision for their children when it comes to who will care for them.
At Wonder Years, we perfectly understand that all you want is peace of mind. Look no further! Our teachers foster children's natural curiosity and passion for knowledge through a combination of play-based education and outdoor adventures. We are conveniently located nearby Hornsby, Dural, Castle Hill, Westleigh, and West Pennant Hills.
Schedule a visit and see how our programme can give your child a head start in life through early education.
