Choosing childcare Maddington families trust is easier when you walk into each tour with a clear list of questions. A centre can look lovely on a website, but a visit shows you how the day really runs and how educators and children get along. These are the questions worth asking, and what to look for while you are there.
How is the day structured?
Ask what a typical day looks like, from arrival to pick up. When do children eat, rest and play outside? How much of the day is spent in group activities, and how much time do children have to choose what they do? The answer tells you a lot about the centre’s approach to learning.
How are children grouped?
Some centres group children in narrow age bands, others use wider mixed age rooms. At Orchard Montessori, children are grouped from 0 to 2, 2 to 3 and 3 to 5 years. Ask why a centre groups children the way it does and how children move between rooms as they grow.
Who are the educators?
Ask about the educators’ qualifications and training, and how long the team has worked together. Staff who stay are a good sign. At a Montessori centre, ask whether educators have Montessori training or are working towards it.
How do you settle new children?
Every centre should have a plan for helping new children feel at home. Ask whether you can visit beforehand, whether shorter first days are possible and how educators comfort a child who is upset at drop off.
How will I know how my child is going?
Ask how the centre shares information with families. Is there a daily update on meals and sleep? How is learning and progress recorded and shared? Can you talk with educators at drop off and pick up?
What about meals, rest and outdoor play?
Ask what food is provided, how allergies and dietary needs are handled, and what you need to bring. Check how rest time works for different ages. Look at the outdoor area too, including shade, space to run and whether it is used every day.
What are the fees and hours?
Ask for the daily fee, what it includes and the hours the centre is open. Our Maddington centre is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm. Ask how the Child Care Subsidy applies and what your likely out of pocket cost would be, so there are no surprises.
What to notice while you are there
Questions only tell part of the story. Watch how educators speak to the children and whether they get down to their level. Notice whether children seem busy and settled, whether the room is clean and organised, and whether materials are within children’s reach. Trust how the place feels.
Check the rating
Every approved service in Australia is assessed against the National Quality Standard. You can look up a centre’s current rating on the ACECQA national register or on Starting Blocks before or after your visit.
Take your time
If you can, visit more than one centre and bring your child to at least one visit. Write down your impressions afterwards, because centres can blur together quickly.
If you are looking at childcare in Maddington, our centre at 12 Ballard Place offers Montessori long day care. You can see the centre and its facilities on our Maddington centre page.
Questions about the approach
If you are considering a Montessori centre, ask how the approach shows up in the day. How long is the morning work period? What materials are on the shelves for your child’s age? How do educators decide when to introduce something new? How are practical life skills like dressing, pouring and tidying built into the routine?
A good centre will be happy to explain, and to show you examples while you are in the room.
After the tour
Once you have visited, take a day to think it over. Compare your notes, check the fees against your likely subsidy and think about travel time from home or work. If something was unclear, call the centre back and ask. A good centre will welcome follow up questions and will be happy for you to visit again with your child before you decide.
To see how this works day to day, book a tour at our Fremantle centre on 08 9336 4965 or our Maddington centre on 08 9493 5071, or send us a message through our contact page.
