What are some of the best questions to ask a new childcare provider?

If you’re changing childcare providers or sending your little one to day care for the first time, it’s natural to have lots of questions.

We’ve pulled together the best questions to ask your new childcare provider. Knowing the answers will help you make the right decision for your child and put your mind at ease.
What kind of childcare do you provide? There are lots of different types of childcare available in Australia, depending on your child’s age and your requirements. They include:

• Long day care (LDC): early childhood education and care (ECEC) provided in a centre for children aged 0-6 years

• Family day care (FDC): flexible care provided in the private home of the care provider

• In-home care (IHC): flexible care provided in the child’s family home

• Outside school hours care (OSHC): care for children who attend primary school (6-12 years) provided in a centre

• Occasional care: just as it says, flexible care provided in a centre either regularly or on an ad hoc basis

Do you have approval? Ask for proof of your childcare provider’s approval status. Any childcare provider must have provider and service approval so that it can legally operate. This means they have evidence that they can guarantee the wellbeing and safety of the children in their care and meet their needs. Sending your child to an approved organisation that is happy to show its approval evidence means peace of mind for you.
What’s your educator-to-child ratio? Know that there are minimum required educator-to-child ratios for day care in Australia. For example, for long day care for children aged 0-24 months, there must be one educator to four children. For children aged 24-36 months and up the ratio is 1:10. Ratios are calculated to ensure that children get the attention they deserve, and for safety reasons, too.
What are your safety policy and procedures? Ask to see the childcare provider’s safety policy and procedures. They should detail points such as:

• Food preparation hygiene

• First aid training for staff

• Evacuation procedures

• Caring for children with medical conditions

• Medication administration

• Identification of parent or carer on pick-up

• Staff training schedule

• COVID-19 policy

What’s your daily schedule? A good childcare facility will be happy to show you their daily schedule, detailing activities and rest time for children. Look for a good mix of free play, creative play, outdoor activities, snack time and quiet time so you know your child is getting a variety of things to do during their day. You can also enquire whether the children’s daily schedule aims to prepare them for schooling by making them ready to learn in a classroom setting and encouraging independence. This will help them transition to school when the time comes. Let us answer your questions about innovative day care If you are looking for long day care for your child in a fun and creative environment, Creative Childcare will be happy to answer any questions you have. You can contact our Newcastle centres or book a tour of our facilities to see innovative, creative childcare in action for yourself.