I agree with Rivlas re talking to people. I talked to neighbours, mothers group, kinder and only actually looked at one school in the end. I am talking primary school here - My opinion is that unless you really want a particular sport, language, age, music program, there has to be a good reason to get in the car and drive to another school if you have one in walking distance but that is just me.
My main dilemna was "straight" grades vs multiage. My BF is a teacher and looooves multiage and I really wanted to send DD to a multiage school but the one nearest us had straight grades. Noone could really talk up the multiage schools around us so in the end I went for the straight grades.
The other factor is big schools vs smaller schools. Big is not necessarily bad but can be scary for a little one so the way they divide up the playground to make sure the littlies have their own area could be important.
Reading between the lines, seems you and Rivlas may be in eastern suburbs. I am also eastern so could recommend the school dd goes to. ;-)