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Trying to find the right childcare for your little loves can be a tough task!
You are looking for a place to provide love, compassion, care and education when you are unable to do so yourself whether it be for work or personal reasons.
Knowing what to look for can be tough, as well as knowing what questions you should ask as you are going through this process.
Here are a few tips to get you started.
Research the different education approaches and know what is your best fit
Centres will have an approach to education, and within that approach varying levels of how it is applied during their daily programming.
You may see some of the following:
- Inquiry learning
- Play-based learning
- Direct teaching/instruction etc.
Knowing how the centre operates within the approaches and what you want for your child helps you shortlist the different centres to enquire with.
Book a tour with a few centres
Sometimes you need to see a few to know what you are looking for.
Having more than one centre down for a tour can really help you narrow down what you are looking for and what best aligns with you and your family values. Through a tour you will get a sense of the different environments, education approaches and team cultures.
Make a list of questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the Educators or Centre Leadership Team.
Some examples can be:
- How many kids are allocated per educator?
- Is there a chef/cook on site or do I need to provide food?
- How do you handle allergies?
- Do you have set routines, if so what do they look like?
- What do I need to pack for a standard day at your centre?
- What is the education approach at the centre?
- How long have the educators been a part of the team? Is there a high turnover?
By seeking answers to your questions, you are able to understand what your general expectation of the centre starts to look like.
Take reviews and recommendations on board – but make your own decisions
Just because a centre has glowing recommendations from a family member or friend, doesn’t mean that it is going to be the right fit for you and your child. Take the recommendations on board but don’t raise your expectations of the centre based solely on that family/friend connection.
This also applies if a centre hasn’t received a good recommendation or review – for the same reason a centre might not align with you, it may not align or fit with others. This is not necessarily a bad thing – it all comes down to the right alignment of your values, expectations and more.
Lastly, if you are near a Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure Centre – contact us!
If you live in or near Ashmore or Maudsland on the Gold Coast, Highfields in Toowoomba, Buderim on the Sunshine Coast or Redlynch in Cairns, enquire with us about availability today.
At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, all of our centres are privately owned and operated. As parents ourselves, we understand the trust you are placing in us when enrolling your child. Our commitment to you is that we will provide a safe and nurturing environment, while delivering the highest quality program and meaningful experiences. The value of play in each child’s development is paramount, so each day is fun as we learn.
We pride ourselves on being one of the most innovative early childhood services that the industry has to offer. Our commitment to every child and their family is to provide the highest quality educational programs and exciting environments to explore and play, leaving each with a lifelong foundation for continual learning. Visit sanctuarylearning.com.au for more information.
While this may not be everything you need to discover the right childcare centre for you, we hope that it helps you on the path of discovery.
Sometimes it may take one or two centres before you find somewhere that your child feels settled and happy. Remember to trust your gut and ask as many questions as you can. Your child will be in their hands.
