Choosing a preschool, nursery or early childhood education centre is one of the first big education decisions parents make. A good centre helps your child feel safe, make friends and love learning. This checklist will help you compare options and make a confident choice.
Start With the Basics
- Licensing and registration: is the centre licensed or registered with the relevant authority? Ask to see its latest inspection report if available.
- Location and hours: do they fit your family’s routine?
- Cost: what is included, and are there extra fees? Check if you qualify for any government support.
What to Look for on a Visit
- Warm interactions: do staff get down to children’s level, speak kindly and respond to them?
- Happy, busy children: are children engaged in play rather than waiting or watching screens?
- Adult-to-child ratio and group size: fewer children per adult means more individual attention.
- Safe, clean spaces: secure entrances, clean toilets and kitchens, safe outdoor areas.
- Rich learning environment: books, blocks, art materials, sand and water, and outdoor play.
- Children’s work on display, showing creativity rather than identical worksheets.
Questions to Ask
- What qualifications and training do your staff have? How long have they worked here?
- What does a typical day look like?
- What is your approach to learning (play-based, Montessori, etc.)?
- How do you handle behaviour, conflicts and upset children?
- How will you keep me informed about my child’s progress?
- What are your policies on illness, medicines, allergies and emergencies?
- How do you support children with additional needs?
- How do you help new children settle in?
Warning Signs
- Staff who seem stressed, distracted or unkind.
- Very high staff turnover.
- Unsafe or dirty facilities.
- Lots of screen time or long periods of sitting still.
- Reluctance to let parents visit or ask questions.
Trust Your Instincts
After your visits, think about where your child seemed most comfortable and where you felt most welcome. Talk to other parents, and if possible, arrange a short trial session before committing.
To understand why these early years matter so much, see why early childhood education is important.
