The Parent Guide to Childcare Tours, What to Ask and Look For

A childcare tour should feel comfortable. You want to walk in, look around, meet the team, and think, yes, this feels right. The best way to get there is to ask questions that help you understand how your child will be cared for each day.

Start With the Basics

Choosing childcare feels easier when you know what to look for and how to choose a centre that supports your child’s needs. Begin with the simple stuff. You want to know how the centre works, what the daily fee covers, and how the Child Care Subsidy affects your weekly costs. Asking these questions early helps you focus on what really matters once you walk through the rooms.

You can also check how the waitlist works and what the enrolment process looks like from start to finish. Clear answers here tell you a lot about organisation and communication.

Understand the Learning Program

Every centre uses play based learning, but the types of play offered can be very different. Ask how educators plan the day, support child learning, and build problem-solving skills through experiences that follow each child’s interests.

If your child is moving up to the next age group soon, ask how learning goals shift across rooms. This gives you a better picture of long-term growth.

Check the Rooms and Environment

The learning environment says a lot about how children feel during the day. As you walk through, look at how the rooms are arranged, how children learn and use the space, and how educators position themselves. You want areas that support motor skills, creativity, movement, and quiet time when needed.

Stepping Stones is currently renovating the entire centre, so you will see fresh updates throughout your tour. The new foyer is warm and inviting, and the big fish tank is already a favourite for families. The renovations show the centre’s commitment to improving the experience for both children and parents.

Meet the Educators

This is the part that matters most. The people caring for your child set the tone for the whole day.

At Stepping Stones, you will meet Kiarra, the Centre Manager, who has been part of this community for more than 10 years. Her stability, experience, and understanding of families are a huge strength. Ask her about the team, how long educators have been here, and how they help new children settle.

Pay attention to how educators interact with children as you walk through. You want to see warm communication that builds trust, supports social and emotional growth, and helps children develop strong social skills.

Look at Food, Routines, and Wellbeing

Daily routines shape the rhythm of the day and directly influence emotional skills like confidence, independence, and resilience. Ask how meals work, how allergies are managed, and how sleep needs are supported. If your child is toilet training or close to it, ask how educators handle those moments. A centre should be able to talk through these parts of the day with confidence and care.

Ask About Communication

Good communication helps you feel connected. Ask how often you will get updates, if photos are shared, and how to contact educators or leadership when needed. The process should feel open and simple. You can always contact our team for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I meet the educators who will be caring for my child?

  You will usually meet the Centre Manager first. They will show you around and introduce you to the room leader or key educator. Meeting them helps you understand their communication style, how long they have been at the centre, and how they support children through the day. It also helps you gauge whether your child will feel comfortable with the people guiding their routines and learning.

• How do you support children during the settling in period?

  This is one of the most important questions to ask. A centre should explain what the first few days look like, whether they offer orientation or ‘stay and play’ visits, and how they communicate with you during the transition. You want to hear that educators work at your child’s pace and have a plan for helping them feel safe and secure.

• Can I see how sleep routines work, including the sleep room?

  Parents often want to see where their child will rest. Ask to view the sleep space, check how frequently children are monitored, and ask whether individual routines are followed. A centre should be able to show you safe sleep practices and explain how they support children who need extra help settling.

• What experiences do children have across the year, including incursions or excursions?

  This helps you understand how the centre connects learning to the community. Ask about visiting programs, special events, or small local outings.
  It helps you understand planning, safety, and how educators introduce new experiences to different age groups.

• How do you support toilet training or independent hygiene?

  If your child is approaching this stage, ask for a clear explanation of the centre’s approach. A centre should explain how they encourage independence, handle accidents, and communicate with families to keep routines consistent.

• Is the centre breastfeeding friendly, and can I bring expressed milk?

  For infants, this is a key question. Ask if breastfeeding parents can feed onsite, how expressed milk is stored, and how educators follow your feeding plan. Clear procedures help you feel confident that your baby’s needs will be met.

Final Decision Making

After your tour, check in with yourself. Think about how the centre felt, how educators spoke with you, and how your child responded to the space. If you can imagine your child spending their day there comfortably, that is usually a good sign.

Why Families Love the Yerrabi Ponds Area

Yerrabi Ponds is a growing part of the Gungahlin district with parks, walking paths, and family homes all within easy reach. Families choose the area for its relaxed feel and convenient access to local shops, playgrounds, and daily essentials. The wider Gungahlin region has light rail, bus services, and improved walking and cycling paths, which makes getting around easier for parents.

As more families move into the area, the community continues to strengthen. Many children who attend Stepping Stones live nearby, so friendships often continue outside the centre. Touring Stepping Stones shows how the centre fits into this family-focused area and why many parents choose the Yerrabi Ponds community.

Why Stepping Stones is Worth Touring

Stepping Stones has come full circle. Fiona O’Donnell built the centre 20 years ago, before it was sold to a larger national organisation. It is now back in family hands with Fiona as the approved provider again. Families value having the centre back as a local, family-owned service led by someone who knows the community and cares about its future.

Touring Stepping Stones @ Yerrabi Ponds helps you see the centre, meet the team, and decide if it suits your family. You can book a visit to walk through the rooms, learn about the programs, and see how we support lifelong learning.