A tour is more than a look around the rooms. It is a chance to imagine an ordinary day for your child, meet the people who would care for them and ask the questions that matter to your family. You do not need to know all the right words. A useful starting point is: “Can you show me what that looks like here?”
Start with your family's everyday needs
Before visiting, write down the days you are considering, your likely drop-off and collection times, and anything important about your child's routines. Include the questions you would rather not leave until enrolment, such as dietary needs, communication preferences or support with a transition.
Keep a short note for each centre. Comparing the same practical questions can be more helpful than trying to remember every feature afterwards. Separate what you saw, what the team explained and what still needs confirming.
Look at relationships, not only the rooms
Notice how educators speak with children, respond when someone needs help and make room for different interests. Ask who would usually be in your child's room and how families get to know that team. Look for places to explore, play together and spend a quieter moment. Starting Blocks explains what families can look for in a quality service.
Ask about quality and the everyday program
The National Quality Standard covers seven areas, including educational practice, health and safety, staffing, relationships and partnerships with families. Ask to see the service's current rating and discuss what the team is working on. A rating is a useful part of the picture, alongside your conversations and observations. Read ACECQA's explanation of the National Quality Standard.
For learning, try asking for a recent example: what interested the children, what did educators notice and what happened next? That can make a philosophy much easier to understand than a list of program names.
Your take-along tour checklist
- How would you help my child become familiar with the room and educators?
- How are meals, rest and other routines discussed with families?
- How will we share information at drop-off, collection and between visits?
- Who should I contact with a concern, and how is it followed up?
- Which experiences are available for my child's age, and what arrangements or extra costs apply?
- What are the session hours, current fees, inclusions, absence charges and notice requirements?
- Are my preferred days available, or is there a waitlist?
Give yourself space to follow up
After the tour, note what felt clear and what you want to ask again. Request written fee and enrolment information before making a decision. A centre's special experiences can be exciting, but your questions about ordinary routines deserve just as much attention.
Ready to compare local options? Explore our centres, then use the tour selector to plan your next conversation.
Family guide. Sources checked 27 October 2026: Starting Blocks and ACECQA. No centre rating, vacancy or fee is implied by this article.