What should I be looking for?
Your choice of child care service may be influenced by a number of different factors and families seeking quality care for children are encouraged to consider what the best questions to ask are and what to look for in a child care service. You may also wish to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the centre Accredited? Ask to see its Certificate of Accreditation and Quality Profile.It is accreditation in NSW, it may be calle something different in your state.
• Do carers speak with children in a warm and friendly way?
• What orientation process is available to my family? What will happen on my child’s first day?
• How will I be made aware of staff changes? Who do I speak with about my child?
• How will my child be supervised? How will my child be supervised when playing with older, bigger children?
• What activities will my child be doing? How are these activities decided?
• What feedback will I be given about my child’s day and how will this information be communicated?
• Is there a written program on display? How can my family be involved in the planning and evaluation of the program?
• How does the program cater to the individual needs or additional needs of my child?
• How will my child’s ideas and opinions be listened to and acted upon?
• Do toys, equipment and activities available offer my child choice and meet his/her interests and
abilities?
• Are there opportunities for my child to participate in activities where they can explore real life tasks? For example, personal hygiene and mealtimes.
• Are there spaces for my child to be involved in active noisy play as well as space for quiet play?
• Are the outdoor and indoor environment and equipment interesting, secure, safe and clean?
• What is the behaviour guidance policy and how do carers handle situations where children are
fighting, crying, or being uncooperative?
• Who is responsible for providing food and drinks for my child? Is the food provided adequate and nutritious? How will my child’s special dietary requirements be provided for?
• Is there written information on policies and procedures available for families? How can my family access this information?
• What happens if my child requires medication? What if my child becomes sick or has an accident whilst in care?
• Who is responsible for providing my child’s nappies? Is the nappy change area clean? Is the nappy change procedure displayed?
• How will my child be assisted with toilet training?
• How will I be informed of my child’s individual eating patterns and sleep routine?
• What will happen if my child is still having a bottle or being breast fed?
• What are the sleeping arrangements for my child? What happens if my child does not want to sleep?


These ideas are off the ncac website if you want moe info. As I said, this process is for NSW, but it has lots of relevant information for any parent.
HTH and good luck