What should I look for on a childcare tour?

You can read every review, study every NQS rating and scroll through hundreds of photos online and still not truly know what goes on at a childcare service day-to-day or whether it’s the kind of place your child will be happy, safe and supported to thrive. 

That’s why in person tours are such an important step in your journey to childcare. It’s your chance to move beyond websites and get a real understanding of what a service looks, sounds and feels like. But for those of us who are new to the world of early learning, childcare services can feel busy, noisy and a little overwhelming. In the beginning it’s not always obvious what you should be paying attention to . Here are some tips to help you focus on the things that will tell you the most.

What to notice when you first arrive

They say “don’t judge a book by its cover” and the same goes for childcare services. When you walk in, focus less on aesthetics and start taking notice of the overall atmosphere. Ask yourself:

• Does it feel calm and inviting or chaotic and disorganised?
• Do staff appear relaxed and welcoming or stressed and under pressure?
• Do you see children engaged in meaningful activities or wandering without direction? 
• Is there a sense of structure and purpose, without it feeling too rigid or controlled?
• Do you hear the sounds of learning- conversations, gentle instructions, questions and problem solving? 
• Are there happy sounds like music, singing, laughter and pretend play

Pay attention to how you’re welcomed. A service that values families will make you feel comfortable and included from the moment you arrive. You should feel valued; not like an inconvenient part of an already busy, stressful day. If the tour feels rushed, overly scripted or your questions aren’t really being answered, ask yourself why that might be - it can tell you a lot.

Look beyond the “pretty” environment

It’s easy to be drawn to beautifully set-up rooms, but that’s not where the real insight is. A space can look very appealing on the surface, but still not be engaging, safe or supportive of children’s development. 

“A perfectly tidy room with untouched resources might look impressive, but it can be a red flag. In a great service, you should see evidence of real play, real mess and real learning happening.” - Cassandra Stark, Founder, The Childcare Concierge & Advisory

Look for signs that the space is being used and resources engaged with, not just set up for display purposes. Remember, children learn best through play in the early years and us parents know first hand that meaningful play results in a bit of mess!

What to notice about educators and children

Paying close attention to the humans is one of the most important parts of any childcare tour - it’s the part that can’t be staged and will tell you the most in your short visit.

“You’re not there to see the ‘pretty’ setup - you’re there to see how learning actually happens. The real magic is in how educators interact with children in the moment, not how the room looks.” - Cassandra Stark, Founder, The Childcare Concierge & Advisory 

Start with the educators and consider:

• Are they getting down to the child’s level?
• Are they warm, responsive and engaged?
• Are they interacting meaningfully with children or busy doing clearing or admin tasks?
• Do they seem to be working together as part of a team?
• Do educators seem supported, happy and confident in their work?

“A simple way to assess quality is to look at how many educators are really ‘with’ the children - engaged and connected versus just busy doing tasks.” - Elise Disher, Early Childhood Education Specialist

Then shift your focus to the children.

“Don’t just watch the educators - watch the children too. Are they engaged, connected, and comfortable? Children can’t fake that and it tells you everything about the relationships in the room.” - Cassandra Stark, Founder, The Childcare Concierge & Advisory 

• Do the children seem settled, comfortable and engaged in their surroundings?
• Are they confidently moving between activities?
• Do they seek out educators when they need support?
• If any children have moments of upset, do educators appear to be attending to their needs appropriately?

Thoughtful observation of children in a childcare setting can tell you so much about how confident, safe and supported they feel.

How the environment supports daily routines

“If the environment looks interesting and inviting, that’s a strong indicator of quality - because when children are playing, they’re learning.” - Elise Disher, Early Childhood Education Specialist

Ask about the daily routine and then look at how the different spaces support it.

• Is there a consistent daily routine displayed?
• Do predictable routines seem embedded throughout the day?
• Is there a connection between indoor and outdoor learning spaces?
• Where do children eat?
• Where do they sleep?
• Are there quiet/calm spaces where children can go when they need a break?

A well-designed early years environment will enable a natural flow between learning spaces and activities. Children should be able to move naturally wherever their curiosity takes them, without constant direction. The environment should support independence and autonomy while ensuring children are adequately supervised at all times.

If possible, try to visit during a routine time (like meals or rest). This can give you a more complete picture than observing open-ended play times alone.

Look for policies in action, not just on paper

All early learning providers are required to follow established policies and comply with set quality standards and these should be obviously embedded in a services day-to-day provision of care.

“You should be able to see and understand a centre’s policies in action - not just on paper.” - Kristi McVee, Child Safety Educator and former detective

For example:

• How are children supported when they’re upset?
• How are transitions managed?
• How do educators guide behaviour?

Observing these everyday moments will help you gain understanding of whether important policies are being implemented effectively or whether they are no more than wall posters for display.

Trust what you notice (and how it feels)

It’s very common for parents to second-guess themselves on tours - to feel like they’re not “qualified” to judge a service. But you’re not there to assess compliance or write an NQS report.

You’re there to ask: “Is this a place where my child will feel safe, supported and happy?”… and you are absolutely the most qualified person to answer that.

If something feels off, it’s worth paying attention to. If a service makes you feel calm and confident, that’s equally important to pay attention to. Try writing down your impressions after each visit - because after a few tours, the details can start to blur, especially when you’re doing your due diligence and visiting multiple services for comparison.